Mystery Authors You May Have Missed
Nancy Pickard
http://www.nancypickardmysteries.com
Biography
Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Nancy Pickard had no idea that she would become such a highly acclaimed author. With a passion for writing, she spent many years as a reporter, editor, and freelance writer after earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. It was then, at age 35, that she realized that fiction was her calling. Grateful that her first novel was never published (along with several short stories), Pickard learned a great deal from this experience and was able to fine-tune her writing style into the grand success she has become. She has a large international following as her books have been published around the world. As mentor to many, award-winning Pickard has served as President of Sisters in Crime and on the Board of Directors of the Mystery Writers of America.
What she writes: In the Marie Lightfoot series, Pickard keeps you glued to her books as each story unfolds with gripping suspense. As a true-crime writer, Lightfoot sometimes gets a little too close to her subjects as she diligently researches criminal behavior. She even received an email from a man who describes himself as a criminal similar to her novels’ characters suggesting that they coauthor Lightfoot’s murder.
Pickard’s series about amateur sleuth/charitable foundation director Jenny Cain, on the other hand, is lighter in style while still providing the reader with an edgy style of suspense. Set in New England, this fast paced series keeps you guessing while often laughing at Pickard’s sharp sense of humor.
After collaborating with Virginia Rich on one novel, Pickard continued the Eugenia Potter series following Rich’s death. With Pickard staying true to the characters and themes in this murder mystery series, the reader senses no gap between the authors. Eugenia Potter continues her sleuthing throughout these culinary mysteries while also sharing her recipes with readers.
Pickard has also written a number of stand alone mysteries that will challenge readers to solve “whodunits” before each book’s conclusion.
| List of works |
|
| Marie Lightfoot series | |
| The Whole Truth (2000) -- large type | |
| The Ring of Truth (2001) | |
| The Truth Hurts (2002) | |
| Jenny Cain series | |
| Generous Death (1984) | |
| Say No to Murder (1985) | |
| No Body (1986) | |
| Marriage is Murder (1987) -- large type | |
| Dead Crazy (1988) -- large type | |
| Bum Steer (1989) | |
| I.O.U. (1991) | |
| But I Wouldn't Want to Die There (1993) | |
| Confession (1994) -- large type | |
| Twilight (1995) | |
| Eugenia Potter series | |
| The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders (1992) -- large type | |
| The Blue Corn Murders (1998) -- large type | |
| The Secret Ingredient Murders (2001) | |
| Short stories | |
| Malice Domestic -- Nancy Pickard, editor and contributor (1994) | |
| The Best of Sisters in Crime -- Nancy Pickard, contributor (1997) | |
| The First Lady Murders -- Nancy Pickard, editor and contributor (1999) | |
| Mom, Apple Pie & Murder -- Nancy Pickard, contributor (1999) | |
| Storm Warnings -- all stories by Nancy Pickard (1999) | |
| Other books | |
| Naked Came the Phoenix: A Serial Novel -- Nancy Pickard, contributor (2001) | |
| The Virgin of Small Plains (2006) | |
| Awards | |
| Supremely recognized for the quality of her writing, Nancy Pickard is the only author to have won the Anthony, Shamus, Macavity, and Agatha awards. She's received additional nominations for all of those awards plus the Edgar and the American Mystery Awards. | |
| Agatha Award, Malice Domestic Mystery Convention | |
| Winner, Best Short Story, 1999: "Out of Africa," in Mom, Apple Pie & Murder | |
| Winner, Best Novel, 1991: I.O.U. | |
| Winner, Best Novel, 1990: Bum Steer | |
| Anthony Award, Bouchercon Mystery Convention | |
| Winner, Best Paperback Original, 1986: Say No to Murder | |
| Winner, Best Short Story, 1990: “Afraid All the Time,” in Sisters in Crime | |
| Shamus Award, Private Eye Writers of America | |
| Winner, Best Short Story, 1991: “Dust Devil,” in The Armchair Detective | |
| Macavity Award, Mystery Readers International | |
| Winner, Best Novel, 1988: Marriage is Murder | |
| Winner, Best Short Story, 1990: “Afraid All the Time,” in Sisters in Crime | |
| What the critics say |
| "Nancy Pickard is acclaimed as one of today’s best mystery writers. Mounting evidence suggests that this description is too limited…Pickard (is) one of today’s best writers, period." - The San Diego Union |
| "Pickard pushes at the presumed limits of (crime fiction)." - The Los Angeles Times |
| "The Virgin of Small Plains will keep you up all night. Nancy Pickard’s intelligent, suspenseful storytelling never disappoints." - Julie Garwood, New York Times Bestselling Author of Slow Burn |
| "With the sure hand of an acknowledged master, Nancy Pickard spins a tale so compelling, suspenseful, and emotionally involving that you will not be able to put it down. The Whole Truth is an unforgettable read." - Toby Bromberg, Romantic Times |
| "Suspenseful…Pickard keeps the surprises coming and the tension high all the way to the end." - Detroit Free Press |
| "[Mrs. Potter is] an appealing addition to the ranks of amateur detectives, a kind of combined Nero Wolfe, Miss Marple and Lord Peter Wimsey." - McCalls |
| "A standout. . .Chatty, good-humored, and entertaining, with a believable puzzle, a charming heroine, and a consistently light touch." - Kirkus Reviews |
| "An outstanding mystery series that just keeps getting better." - Booklist |
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