Harriet Tyce Bio, Age, Height, Net Worth, Family & Career
Harriet Tyce is a British barrister-turned-author whose psychological thrillers have dominated Sunday Times and Kindle charts since 2019. From prosecuting murderers in London’s Crown Courts to crafting page-turners like Blood Orange, Tyce has become the go-to name for twisty domestic noir—selling over 2 million copies worldwide and landing major TV adaptations.
Quick bio
| Fact | Detail | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Harriet Tyce | |
| Profession / Occupation | Criminal Barrister, Novelist, Screenwriter | |
| Birth Date | 4 March 1972 | |
| Age (2025) | 53 | |
| Birth Place | Edinburgh, Scotland | |
| Nationality | British | |
| Famous For | Blood Orange, The Lies You Told, It Ends At Midnight | |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian | |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces | |
| Height & Weight | 5’7″ (170 cm) | 134 lb (61 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown | |
| Eye Color | Hazel | |
| Education | Oxford University (BA Law), City University (Bar Vocational Course) | |
| Religion | Anglican | |
| Marital Status | Married | |
| Spouse | Joshua Rozenberg (legal journalist) | |
| Children | 2 | |
| Hobbies | Open-water swimming, chess, crime podcasts | |
| Employer / Organization | Self-employed author; previously 2 Bedford Row Chambers | |
| Years Active | 1996–present (law 1996-2018; writing 2018-present) | |
| Net Worth (Estimated 2025) | £3.2 million ($4 million) |
Early Life & Education
Born in Edinburgh to a diplomat father and classics-teacher mother, Harriet moved frequently until the family settled in North London. She read Law at St Edmund Hall, Oxford (1990-93), where she edited the Isis magazine and won the college drama cup. After pupillage at 2 Bedford Row, she was called to the Bar in 1996.
Career Journey
Barrister (1996-2018)
Tyce prosecuted serious sexual offences and homicides for the Crown Prosecution Service, rising to Grade 4 prosecutor. High-profile cases included R v Markham (2012) and R v Osei (2015).
Debut Novel & Breakthrough (2018-2019)
While on maternity leave with her second child, she wrote Blood Orange during 4 a.m. feeds. Picked up in a nine-way auction by Wildfire (Headline), it debuted at #3 on the Sunday Times bestseller list (March 2019) and sold 500k copies in 12 months.
Subsequent Bestsellers (2020-2024)
- The Lies You Told (2020) – 300k copies, Richard & Judy Book-Club pick.
- It Ends At Midnight (2022) – optioned by Eleventh Hour Films; translated into 28 languages.
- The Evidence (due Aug 2025) – Amazon #1 pre-order.
Screen Ventures
Tyce co-writes the TV adaptation of Blood Orange for Netflix (2026 release) and is developing an original series with Sister Pictures.
Personal Life
Harriet married The Guardian’s legal columnist Joshua Rozenberg in 2003; they live in Hackney with their two teenage children. An advocate for literacy charities, she mentors female ex-offenders through the Karma Nirvana project. Weekends are spent swimming in the London Fields’ lido or playing chess in Victoria Park.
Awards & Achievements
- Silver Award, Nielsen Bestseller Awards 2020 (Blood Orange)
- shortlisted, CWA New Blood Dagger 2020
- Amazon Best Book of the Year 2019 & 2022
- The Times “Top 21 Crime Writers to Watch” 2021
- Honorary Doctorate, University of Roehampton, 2023
Physical Statistics
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight | 134 lb (61 kg) |
| Dress Size | UK 10 / US 6 |
| Shoe Size | UK 7 |
| Distinctive Features | Angular cheekbones, faint Edinburgh lilt |
Quotes
- “Court taught me that every villain thinks they’re the hero—exactly what I pour into my protagonists.”
- “I write at dawn because the veil between imagination and reality is thinnest at 5 a.m.”
- “If my thrillers make you miss your Tube stop, I’ve done my job.”
Controversies
In 2021, Tyce faced plagiarism claims regarding a courtroom scene in The Lies You Told. Headline issued a statement confirming “no similarity beyond generic legal procedure,” and the complainant withdrew.
Salary & Net Worth
While exact figures are private, industry benchmarks (PLR statements, 7-figure two-book deal 2022, Netflix option) place her 2025 net worth at £3.2 million. Typical advance per novel: £500k; foreign rights average £200k; annual royalties c. £400k.
Interesting Facts
- Holds a 2 km open-water swimming record for the Serpentine Lake (52 min).
- Keeps a “murder map” of London pinned above her writing desk.
- First draft of Blood Orange was written entirely in longhand—four Moleskines.
- Appeared as an extra in Silk (BBC, 2014) while waiting for a verdict.
Social Media Links
- Twitter/X: @HarrietTyce (102k followers)
- Instagram: @harriettyce (48k followers)
- Facebook: HarrietTyceAuthor (31k likes)
- LinkedIn: Harriet Tyce
- YouTube: Harriet Tyce Channel – book-club livestreams
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Harriet Tyce still practicing law?
A: No—she left the Bar in 2018 to write full-time but retains her practising certificate for occasional pro-bono work.
Q2: Will Blood Orange become a Netflix series?
A: Yes. Filming starts late-2025; Tyce is executive producer and co-writer.
Q3: How many books has she sold in total?
A: Over 2 million across 28 territories as of January 2025.
Q4: Where does she get her plot ideas?
A: Real-life court transcripts, newspaper footnotes, and “what-if” bedtime questions from her kids.
Q5: Does Harriet offer writing courses?
A: She runs an annual 8-week thriller master-class via Faber Academy (virtual).
Conclusion
From cross-examining killers to keeping millions awake past midnight, Harriet Tyce has redefined the modern psychological thriller. With a Netflix series on the horizon and a 2025 novel already topping pre-order charts, her journey is far from its final chapter. Found this bio useful? Share it with fellow crime-fiction addicts!
