The Harry Potter series has captivated generations of readers with its richly imagined wizarding world, unforgettable characters and timeless struggle between good and evil. But what if one of its most infamous villains could be seen in an entirely new light? Local author Grace Candido-Beecher takes readers beyond the familiar image of Lord Voldemort in her newly published book, Voldemort: The Definitive Study of Tom Riddle—The Man Who Would Become “He Who Must Not Be Named” (The Unofficial Harry Potter Character Series).
Through her literary analysis, Grace reimagines the story of Tom Riddle, exploring the man behind the monster and offering a deeper look at the experiences, choices, ambitions, and darkness that transformed him into the wizarding world’s most feared villain. A part of the Harry Potter fandom considers Grace the Tom Riddle aficionado. “I am notorious for loving a villain,” said Grace. “I love finding the tiny tidbits about them.”
A Marple native, Grace attended Loomis, Paxon Hollow Middle School and Marple Newtown High School. During high school Grace had a passion for music and arts and played the violin in the band and orchestra. She furthered her education at Philadelphia University (now The Thomas Jefferson University), studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan and earned a degree in digital animation.
Professionally, Grace works full-time as a computer programmer, but her creativity extends well beyond the world of code. An avid reader and writer, she is also an illustrator, designer, coder and enthusiastic Dungeons & Dragons player, with a passion for exploring different forms of storytelling and creative expression. For Grace, writing is far more than a hobby. “It’s the comfort and addiction of my life,” she said. “I do it out of joy.”
Grace said she’s been dreaming of writing Voldemort: An Unofficial Exploration since she was a thirteen years old. Although she took creative writing classes, she consid- ers herself self-taught. “I mostly learned from other writers.” In 2020, she became a co-host of the Alohomora!, a podcast that was created by fans for fans to re-read the entire Harry Potter series together and discuss it in depth. She also presented at the The Harry Potter Academic Conference, a non-profit, annual academic conference hosted by Chestnut Hill College. “This really paved the way for making my book a reality.”
Grace’s road to getting the book published was anything but typical. “Not only was I working full time, I also had a new baby and my husband Nick, who illustrated the book, and I had just bought a new home.” she recalled. “When it came 
to finding time to write, I had to burn the midnight fuel.”
Published in April of 2026, Voldemort:The Definitive Study of Tom Riddle lets readers step beyond the legend and into the shadows.and reveals the truth behind the wizarding world’s most feared name. Grace explores how a brilliant, isolated orphan became a symbol of corruption and fear, and why his humanity may hold the key to understanding the Harry Potter saga. “It’s an exercise in empathy,” said Grace. “I hope that it gives readers
and appreciation for villains and to see them as human.”
For fans of Harry Potter, dark fantasy and character driven analysis, Grace’s literary analysis is a thoughtful contribution to Harry Potter scholarship. To learn more about Grace and hear about her upcoming book signings, visit gracevictoria.net. Voldemort The Definitive Study of Tom Riddle can be
purchased at BooksofWonder.com, MainPointBooks.com as well as local Barnes & Noble bookstores.