She graduated with honors in creative writing from Brown University and has an MFA in fiction from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Melissa's first novel, The Tethered Mage, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Morningstar Award for best fantasy debut.

"Twisty, breakneck, and full of delightful surprises, The Last Hour Between Worlds is a book guaranteed to pull you out of a reading slump. Equal parts hilarious and poignant, this is Caruso's best work yet--a time-loop, murder mystery party like you've never read before. I dare you to put it down."--Kritika H. Rao, author of The Surviving Sky

"A witty, tense and imaginative triumph of a book! I lost many an unplanned hour inhaling The Last Hour Between Worlds. With its compelling magic, reluctant hero trying (and failing) to be on leave, and one increasingly surreal party, this tightly paced story will be a lasting favorite!" --Sam Hawke, author of City of Lies

"A charming fantasy mystery that kept me guessing until the very last page--I completely adored this book and would read a dozen more of Kembral's adventures." --Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

"This book is for those who dream of going to the ball inside the Goblin King's crystal bubble, but struggle with work-life balance and finding a good babysitter. A jewelled swirl of dangerous magic, fabulous outfits and reluctant heroism, Caruso's The Last Hour Between Worlds is fiendishly well-plotted, utterly enchanting and... surprisingly relatable."--Leife Shallcross, author of The Beast's Heart

"To say The Last Hour Between Worlds hits the ground running would be an understatement: This book starts at a sprint and never slows down. It's funny, and scary, and weird in the very best way. Melissa Caruso's writing is razor-sharp and this book is one heck of a page-turner."--Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

"The Last Hour Between Worlds is a masterpiece--filled with excitement, romance, and characters you would protect with your life. The wobbly time effects in this book reach past its pages, making hours of reading blink by in a moment. Unmissable!"--Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

"This book has everything you've been craving: sword fights, time loops, complicated feelings about parenthood, and banter with your sworn enemy. What an absolute delight!"--Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author

"Outrageously clever, with characters who are at times wantonly absurd, engaging, enraging, and intricate, this is a book for everyone who wants to escape reality - though beware, it gets weirder the deeper you go." --Anna Stephens, author of Godblind

"An addictive read with an incredibly sympathetic heroine and a delightful relationship. I loved it and can't wait for more in this world." --Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

"A fantastical locked-room mystery where every peal of the clock peels away another layer of reality . . . The Last Hour Between Worlds is an absolute adventure, with a queer lead, a snarky rival and breath-takingly poignant moments. Reader, I inhaled it." --K. A. Doore, author of The Perfect Assassin

"Equal parts sheer adventurous fun and creepy, dimension-bending tension, featuring a relatable and instantly engaging protagonist. This is totally unlike anything I've read before; Caruso has pulled off a wonderfully creative premise with skill and panache." --Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light

"A brilliant, breathlessly twisty fantasy adventure that I utterly adored. Melissa Caruso is a powerhouse." --Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

"I love The Last Hour Between Worlds to pieces... A time-bending triumph, a compelling adventure... A very entertaining story, with a strikingly satisfying climax."--Locus

"Caruso never takes her foot off the gas, marrying riveting action with meticulous worldbuilding and eccentric characters through effortless prose. Readers will be hooked."

--Publishers Weekly

"A heady, bizarre rush of murder mystery meets Alice in Wonderland. If you're a fantasy romance fan who's been craving originality from the genre, this book is truly a breath of fresh air. The Last Hour Between Worlds will stretch your imagination and leave you thinking." --BookPage