Author M. S. Spencer
Librarian, anthropologist, research assistant, Congressional aide, speechwriter, nonprofit director—M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents and holds degrees in Anthropology, Middle East Studies, and Library Science. In June 2025 she will have published eighteen mystery or romantic suspense novels. She has two children, an exuberant granddaughter, and currently divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
A little bit about Author M.S Spencer…
My youth was an interesting one—not for the faint of heart. At the age of four, I flew a plane from New York to Turkey. At the age of ten, I took the Queen Mary across the Atlantic to Cherbourg, and spent three years in Paris. From there we moved to Tangier, Morocco. I spent the year after college in Egypt, traveling throughout the Middle East. As a graduate student at the University of Chicago I wangled trips to Paris and Istanbul. Jobs at the US Senate and Interior—and later children and marriage—gave me the opportunity to travel to the West, Mexico, St. Maarten, Jamaica, and Peru.
I’ve wandered the Pere Lachaise cemetery and laid a flower at Oscar Wilde’s grave. I’ve eaten Sacher Torte in the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. I’ve climbed the narrow steps of the stepped pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá. I’ve seen the Peacock Throne in the Golestan Palace in Iran and ridden a stallion across the Egyptian desert under the “nose” of the Sphinx. I’ve swum with pink dolphins and gone fishing for piranha. I’ve watched as thousands of migrating cranes land on my roof on a hill in Istanbul. I’ve even begged for cigarettes from the sailors on a battleship in the Port of Tangier.
Since 2009 I have published eighteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. Before that I was a librarian, an anthropologist, a research assistant, a US Senate committee aide, a speechwriter, a nonprofit director, a copy editor, and a parent. I’ve worked for professors, a magazine, the Senate, the Department of the Interior, and Arlington County schools. I have traveled and lived on five of the seven continents (still missing Antarctica and Australia), and hold degrees in Anthropology, Middle East Studies, and Library Science. Needless to say, I enjoy near infinite sources of inspiration for my books!
This is Author M.S Spencer’s writing and publication journey in her own words…
Inspiration to start writing…
I have always been a writer, since the first time I held a chunk of sidewalk chalk in my chubby five-year-old hand. I wrote poetry and stories all my life, but didn’t try my hand at a novel until I was married and had children. That manuscript met its doom when my husband inadvertently threw out the only copy. It didn’t ruin the marriage, but it took me awhile to try again. I started with spicy romantic suspense, but when dead bodies began to turn up with greater and greater regularity in my stories, I bowed to the inevitable. My books are all murder mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie, and suitable for any age.
M.S Spencer’s works…
I have thirteen books still in print (5 out of print). I have won awards for Hidden Gem and In the Crosshairs. These are my latest four:
Railroad Ties: the Marmion Grove Murders
When Sophie Childress discovers a letter written in 1920 by the witness to a murder, she enlists Noah Pennyman—owner of the house where it took place—to investigate. Who was the victim? What did the killer do with the body—not to mention a carpetbag full of money? Together they expose a complex web of family ties and lies that has persisted through four generations in the historic village of Marmion Grove. When two more corpses are unearthed, Noah and Sophie are faced with too many victims and not enough murderers.
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RailroadTies
In the Crosshairs: The Body on Leffis Key
Palmer Lind, recovering from the sudden death of her husband, embarks on a bird-watching trek to the Gulf Coast of Florida. One hot day on Leffis Key she comes upon—not the life bird she was hoping for—but a floating corpse. The handsome beach bum who appears on the scene at the same time seems to have even more secrets than the dead man.
His story begins to unravel as the pair search for answers to a growing pile of dead bodies. Spies, radical environmentalists, and wealthy businessmen circle around each other in a complex dance. Which one is lying? What do a seemingly random group of individuals have in common, other than being targeted by a crossbow?
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/IntheCrosshairs
The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island
Will the wind whip her token from the Wishing Tree and make her wish come true?
Addison Steele dreams of the day her husband—lost at sea—returns to her. Instead, she meets Nick Savage, whose every word may be a lie. She is soon embroiled in mystery, all related to the top secret science station at Wallops Island, Virginia.
After a Belarusian scientist at Wallops is murdered, the questions multiply. Was it because he caught the person stealing classified documents or because he wanted to defect? Is Nick the spy—or is it his brother? How can she trust the man who is slowly claiming her heart when his story keeps shifting?
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/WishingTreeLoveLiesSpies
Hidden Gem: the Secret of St. Augustine
Barnaby and Philo’s story begins with very bad chili and a dead body.
Barnaby is in St. Augustine, Florida, to teach a college seminar, and plans to use The Secret—a treasure hunt book—as a framework for his class. He enlists Philo Brice, owner of an antique map store, to aid him in seeking clues in the historic sites of the ancient city.
Together they face murderers, thieves, thugs, and fanatics, heightening their already strong attraction to each other. Can they solve the puzzle and unearth the treasure before the villains do? Philo and Barnaby pursue several twisting paths and false leads before arriving at a startling conclusion.
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Hidden-Gem-The-Secret-of-St-Augustine
One of M.S Spencer’s favourite scenes from Railroad Ties: Marmion Grove Murders…
Railroad Ties: the Marmion Grove Murders, was released by the Wild Rose Press on June 11, 2025.
Noah sat up, wide awake now. “Ooph. I must have fallen out the window.”
She coiled up the rope. “How did it happen?”
“I don’t know. The last thing I remember seeing was a light flickering in the carriage house. I went to investigate. It’s all a blank after that.” He massaged his rump. “I must’ve hit the ground hard.”
“You don’t remember going up to the hayloft?”
He shook his head.
She examined the rest of him. “There’s a big lump on the back of your head, too.” She leaned back on her haunches. “Someone clubbed you.”
“Then how did I hurt my arm?” He rotated it, revealing a dark bruise.
“Who knows?” She looked up. “The window’s closed.” Just below it the hook protruded from the wall. She picked up the end of the rope. “This is just about long enough.”
“Long enough for what?”
“To toss over the hook, hoist you up, and then drop you.” Goose bumps bristled on her arms. “You were supposed to die, Noah.”
What a bio, MS! The blurbs of four of your books and an excerpt from one of them all spark interest. Congrats on the publication of your most recent ‘Railroad Ties: Marmion Grove Murders’.
Wow!! This author has literally traveled the world! What an amazing bio and that alone draws me to her books. Congratulations to M.S. Spencer on this fabulous spotlight!
You certainly have a wonderful background to draw on for story ideas! Congrats on your writing success and wishes for continued success.