These are modern authors whose first book was published after 1990. This list is not meant to include all authors during the period, but only those whose books that I have read and enjoyed. Mysteries published prior to 1990 may be found at American Mystery Novels 1945 - 1990.
Susan Wittig Albert - Ms. Albert writes a series about China Bayles,
the owner of an herb shop in a small town in Texas. Also Ms. Albert and her husband, Bill, write a series of Victorian
mysteries under the name of Robin Paige. For more information, visit her web site.
Donna Andrews - If you like humor in your mystery, definitely read
Donna Andrews. She writes both the Meg Lanslow series, and the Turing Hopper series. It should be noted that Turing is
the first artificial intelligence detective. Ms. Andrews has won a number of awards including two Agathas and an Anthony. Ms. Andrews' web site.
Sarah Andrews -(1951 - 2019) Ms. Andrews wrote a series about forensic geologist Em Hansen. Ms. Andrews had been a working geologist herself and provided a great deal of information about the various aspects of geology to her readers. For more information, visit this article at Mystery Fanfare.
Nevada Barr - Her series detective is Anna
Pigeon of the National Park service. Barr was first an actress, then a park ranger, and now is a full time writer.
Her award winning series has been set in a number of national parks, and you will enjoy the vicarious trips to the parks. Her first book Track of the Cat was published in 1993. You may enjoy watching a video of Nevada Barr reading from her novel Winter Study. A biography and bibliography may be found at Wikipedia
Lorna Barrett - The crime solver in this enjoyable series is Tricia Miles, the owner of a mystery bookstore in Stoneham, New Hampshire. The first book in this series is Murder is Binding. and was published in 2008. For more information, visit her web site.
Dana Cameron - Her series detective is American archaeologist Emma Fielding who tends to find modern bodies in her or of short stories. Her web site Her first series novel was site unseen which was published in 2002. Ms. Cameron is also an Agatha award winning author
Caleb Carr - Carr's first mystery novel, The Alienist was published in 1994. This book describes the approach of an "alienist", a psychologist, in the hunt for a serial killer in New York in 1896. This was followed by The Angel of Darkness which continued the Alienist story. Carr has also written a science fiction novel, a Sherlock Homes novel, and three books of military history. For more information, see the 17th Street web site which contains more information about the Alienist novels.
Barbara D'Amato - Author of several series. I'm a fan of the
Cat Marsala series about an investigative journalist in Chicago. Actually Ms. D'Amato first book was published in 1980,
but the Cat Marsala series began in 1990 with the publication of Hardball. More information and a bibliography may be found at Wikipedia.
Jeanne M. Dams - Ms. Dams is the author of two series. The Dorothy Martin series features an American who is now living in England. The second features Hilda Johannson, a young Swedish immigrant, living in South Bend, Indiana in the early 1900's. Visit Ms. Dams web site.
Joanne Dobson - Her series detective is Karen Pelletier, a
professor of English and Women's Studies at a Massachusetts college. This is a very literate and well-written series. Her first novel, Quieter Than Sleep, was published in 1997. For more information, see Wikipedia
Janet Evanovich - Humorous series featuring Stephanie Plum who is a bounty hunter is New Jersey. Her first Stephanie Plum novel, One for the Money, was published in 1994. Her web site.
Sara Hoskinson Frommer - Small town mysteries solved by Joan Spencer who is director of the senior citizens center and manager of the local symphony orchestra. For more information, visit her web site.
Jane Haddam -(1951 - 2019) Pseudonym of Orania Papazoglou. Ms. Haddam wrote a series about Gregor Demarkian who is a retired FBI agent who resides in an unbelievably nice and friendly section of Philadelphia. Even though he is retired, Demarkian still finds murders to solve. This series started in 1990, with the
publication of Not a Creature Was Stirring and the each mystery revolved around a holiday. It has recently become more timely and related to current events. There is an interview with Jane Haddam in Mystery Scene Magazine. Her web site.
Barbara Hambly - a versatile author who writes mysteries, science fiction, and historical fiction. Mystery readers know her best for her Benjamin January series of mysteries. Benjamin January is a free man of color who is both a surgeon and musician in New Orleans of the 1830's. Ms. Hambly was born in San Diego and has a master's degree in medieval history. Her first Benjamin January novel, A Free Man of Color, was published in in 1997. For more information and a bibliography of her books, go to Wikipedia
Laurie King - Laurie King was born and raised in California She is best known for her series about Mary Russell and semi-retired Sherlock Holmes. The first book of this series The Beekeeper's Apprentice was published in 1994. She has also written a series about Kate Martinelli, a San Francisco police detective. The first book in this series A Grave Talent won the Edgar Award for best first novel. She was named a Grandmaster of Mystery by the Mystery Writers of America in 2022. If you wish to see her win the award, visit You Tube for more information, visit her web site
Laura Lippman - Author of a series about Tess Monaghan, a private investigator and former newspaper reporter in Baltimore, Maryland. Her first novel Baltimore Blues was published in 1997. Lippman has won both the Edgar and Shamus awards. She has also won the Anthony Award in 2008 for the novel What the Dead Know. Lippman fans will enjoy this video of her interview at Bouchercom in 2008.. Also visit her web site.
Attica Locke - a native of Houston Texas, Attica Locke is an award winning author of mystery novels, and is a also screenwriter. Her novel Bluebird, Bluebird, the story of a black Texas Ranger fighting crime in a small town, won both the Edgar and Anthony Awards in 2018. For more information, visit Book Series in Order. To see Attica Locke win the Edgar Award, go to You Tube
Barbara Neely - (1941 - 2020) Short story writer, activist, and author of the Blanch White mystery novels. She was named a Grandmaster of Mystery in 2020 by the Mystery Writers of America. For more information, read this article by Kellye Garrett in Crime Reads, May, 2019
Katherine Hall Page -Agatha award winning author of a series featuring Faith Fairchild, a caterer and minister's wife in Aleford, Massachusetts. She is interviewed by Barbara Peters in this video on YouTube.
S. J. Rozan - Award winning author of a series featuring private detectives Lydia Chin and Bill Smith. You may view a video of her talk at the 2009 National Book Festival. Her web site.
Lisa Scottolini - Author of series of legal thrillers set in Philadelphia. She won the Edgar Award for Final Appeal. You will enjoy the video of her talk at the 2009 National Book Festival. Her web site.
Dana Stabenow - Is the author of two mystery series set in Alaska. She won the Edgar Award for
A Cold Day for Murder. Ms. Stabenow summarized all of her Kate Shugak books in 4 minutes in this video.. Her web site is here.
Victoria Thompson - Author of the Gaslight series set in New York City about the year 1900. It features the crime solving team of Sarah Brandt, a midwife, and Detective Sargent Frank Malloy. If you wish to see Victoria Thompson discuss her book Murder in Union Square visit You Tube. For more information visit Victoria Thompson's web site.
Information About Cozy Authors
The Cozy Mystery List - A great site for lovers of cozy mystery lovers with an extensive
list of cozy authors and their works.
Crime and Mystery Fiction - If your favorite author isn't
listed above, look at the Crime and Mystery Fiction web site for lists of authors books and links
to authors web sites.
This site is maintained by Linda Bertland,
Philadelphia, PA. Please address any comments, additions, or corrections to info@sldirectory.com
Home Where you will find out more about mystery novels, find new authors, and learn about some really great older ones.
