Kristina Mancaruso is an American author and Human Resources Programme Manager based in New York. She is the co-author of Rumoured (2025), a psychological thriller written with her sister Kelly Mancaruso. Their debut novel was acquired in a multi-way auction and selected as LoveReading UK’s Debut of the Month for July.
Kristina Mancaruso grew up in upstate New York and graduated as valedictorian from Stony Brook University. She has worked in various creative and managerial roles and is currently a project manager for a Manhattan-based firm. Her background in music and songwriting heavily shaped the themes and structure of Rumoured.
Kristina and Kelly began writing fiction together after Kelly moved to England for graduate study. Their early collaborations helped maintain their close relationship across the Atlantic. “We’re only fourteen months apart, so we’ve always been incredibly close,” Kristina said. “Almost like we have this weird sister ESP.”
Rumoured (2025) follows pop icon Harlow Hayes, a global sensation arrested for murder at the height of her fame. Told through the eyes of investigative journalist Naomi Barnes, the novel delves into fame, fan culture, and the hidden truths that lie beneath. Kristina said the idea came from a conversation about dark pop lyrics. “We thought, wait a second, we’re thriller writers, why not create a dubious singer-songwriter who may or may not have done something bad?”
Inspired by the layered songwriting of Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and The Beatles, the sisters wrote an entire fictional discography for Harlow. Kristina’s early interest in songwriting became central to the novel’s development.
Photo credit: themancarusosisters.com
