Gehla S. Knight is a fifth-generation Oregonian who captures the Northwest flavor in quirky, madcap commercial fiction as well as literary novels highlighting West Coast themes.

Under the penname Ray Bates, her police procedurals feature gritty, street-smart cops who prowl Portland's underbelly in search of gold nuggets among the city's hardcore schemers.

Knight manages a trial consultancy serving both the plaintiff and defense bars and draws on her extensive experience as a field investigator and litigation specialist to formulate realistic characters and story lines for all her work.

Knight's writing career has included stints with national publications, live theater and Regency-Fox film productions. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and cat Felonious Monk.