She grew up in Oxford then moved to Tennessee for 10 years. She published two historical novels and the novelisation of the Nescafé Gold Blend advertisements under the pen name Susannah James. More recently she has also used the nom de plume, Susan Madison. She is a former Chairman of the Crime Writer's Association, served as World President of the International Association of Crime Writers, and was elected to the prestigious Detection Club. Susan Moody has given numerous courses on writing crime fiction and continues to teach creative writing in England, France, Australia, the USA and Denmark.

Penny Wanawake series

Penny is a 6ft beautiful black photographer and the daughter of a UN Ambassador.

• Penny Black (1984) (#56 among The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time)
• Penny Dreadful (1984)
• Penny Post (1985)
• Penny Royal (1986)
• Penny Wise (1988)
• Penny Pinching (1989)
• Penny Saving (1993)

Cassie Swann series

Cassie Swann is an expert bridge player in Bellington, England.

• Takeout Double (Also published as: Death Takes a Hand) (1993)
• Grand Slam (1994)
• King of Hearts (1995)
• Doubled in Spades (1996)
• Sacrifice Bid (1997)
• Dummy Hand (1998)

Others

• Misselthwaite (1995): an unofficial sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel The Secret Garden; also published as Return to the Secret Garden.
• Falling Angel (1998)
• The Italian Garden (1998)

As Susan Madison

• The Colour of Hope (2000)
• The Hour of Separation (2002)
• Touching the Sky (2003)