Jennifer Lynette PattrickOBE (née Priestley, born 1936) is a New Zealand novelist, known primarily for her historical fiction.[1] Her first novel, The Denniston Rose (2003) and its sequel Heart of Coal (2004) became two of New Zealand's best-selling novels.[1] She has published nine novels, and also writes and publishes songbooks for children.[2]The Denniston Rose has been optioned by Bohemia Group Originals.[3]
Pattrick's novels are often set in New Zealand locations. The Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal centre on coalmining communities on the Denniston plateau from the late 1800s to early 1900s.[7]Landings (2008) is about the Whanganui River at the turn of the twentieth century.[8]Heartland (2014) is set in a fictional town based on the Central Plateau settlement of Rangataua.[9]
Pattrick was a jeweller for 35 years and has had pieces gifted to overseas dignitaries by the New Zealand government.[10]