Diane M. Greenwood was born in Norfolk. She took a first degree in Classics at Oxford University and a second degree in Theology at London University. She taught at a number of schools before working for the diocese of Rochester. She retired as Diocesan Director of Education for the dicocese of Rochester in 2004. She is the creator of 'Theodora Braithwaite', a Deaconess and amateur detective in London.