Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, a town with strong Scottish roots. She graduated from Otago University with a BA in languages and an honours degree in music, and has had a varied career which includes music teaching and performing as well as working in government agencies. Juliet now lives in the Swan Valley area near Perth, Western Australia, where she writes almost full time. Her garden features trees and herbs, in keeping with druidic interests, and is a haven for local wildlife. Juliet currently shares her home with two dogs and a cat.