Our Members

Shree C. Aier – Shree is writing books to share her interest and awe of the world in its entirety—of animals, and plants, of invertebrates, of the living and the non-living. She also enjoys writing about relationships through light romance and fantastical worlds, as well as science fiction.

Peggy Barnett is from New York, where she worked as a professional photographer and real estate developer.  After moving to Washington in 2006 she published On Your Left, her memoirs as poetry. Peggy has just published her first novel, a medieval historical romance/thriller, Bitter Fruit. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and EasySpeak Poetry Forum.

Cynthia Blair – Cynthia is the author of three mystery series, written as Cynthia Baxter. Her first two, The Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries and The Murder Packs a Suitcase series, were published by Bantam. Her third, the Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe mysteries, were published by Kensington. In addition to mysteries, she has had 40 other novels published under her own name.

Alice K. Boatwright – Life brings the skeptical Ellie Kent to the Cotswolds as a newlywed vicar’s wife; death keeps her guessing how long she’ll last there.

Debra Borchert‘s debut novel, Her Own Legacy, is the first in a series that follows headstrong and independent women and the four hundred loyal families who protect a Loire Valley château and vineyard, and its legacy of producing the finest wines in France during the French Revolution.

Her work has appeared in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Writer, among others. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and independently.

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she incorporates her knowledge of textiles and clothing design in writing historical French fiction. She brings her passions for France, wine, and cooking to all her work. The proud owner of ten crockpots, she is renowned for her annual Soup Parties at which she serves soups from different cultures.

Jeffrey D. Briggs – Jeffrey’s Seattle Waterfront Mystery series explores the dark mysteries that remain hidden just below the surface in these taut contemporary thrillers featuring Martha Whitaker.

Leslie Budewitz – Combining her passion for good food, great mysteries, and the Northwest, Budewitz writes two cozy series, the Spice Shop Mysteries set in Seattle’s Pike Place Market and the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana. As Alicia Beckman, she writes stand-alone suspense, including Bitterroot Lake. When a young widow returns to her family’s lakeside Montana lodge in search of solace, murder forces her to reconnect with estranged friends and confront everything she thought she knew about the tragic accident twenty-five years ago that tore them apart.

Rachel Bukey – A new mystery series set in Seattle and featuring protagonist and Seattle Times reporter Ann Dexter.

Beth Camp attended eight high schools and worked her way through as many colleges on the west coast of the U.S. before earning her master’s at the University of Oregon. Her careers as an international banker, a corporate consultant, and a writing teacher and English Department Chair at the community college level have fueled her passion for historical fiction and poetry. Her first mystery, The Seventh Tapestry, is set in the Museum of Medieval Art in Edinburgh.

Harriet Cannon is a writer with Southern roots and wanderlust. In her first career as a psychotherapist, she served as a consultant to the Boeing company, International Schools, and worked for the US State Department in Chile. Harriet is co-author of Mixed Blessings: A Guide to Multicultural and Multiethnic Relationships. Exiled South, published in January 2022, is her debut novel.

Curt Colbert – Battling personal demons as he investigates the murders of members of his old platoon from Vietnam, Seattle P.I. Matt Rossiter is shaken to the core when he finally identifies and confronts the killer. Writing as Waverly Curtis (with Waverly Fitzgerald) in a mystery series featuring a talking Chihuahua named Pepe and his PI partner Geri Sullivan.

Martha Crites – A taut and intelligent whodunit, Crites’ first book, Grave Disturbance, thrives on its grim Northwestern atmosphere and dark contemporary themes. Her second book, Danger to Others, continues the series, which features psychiatric evaluator Grace Vaccaro.

Annette Drake is a multi-genre author whose work is character-driven and celebrates the law of unintended consequences. She has published seven novels via her small press, Baskethound Books. Annette loves bakeries, hounds of all sizes, and libraries. She makes her home in Washington State. She does not camp. 

Roxanne Dunn is a foodie and fanatic about good chocolate, a physical therapist (now retired), and a private pilot. She lived aboard a classic wood motor yacht for 17 years. Murder Undetected is her second mystery.

Gerald Elias leads a double life as a critically acclaimed author and world-class musician. His award-winning Daniel Jacobus mystery series takes place in the dark corners of the classical music world. In 2020 he penned The Beethoven Sequence, a chilling political thriller. Elias’s short stories and essays have appeared in prestigious journals ranging from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine to The Strad. His first Western mystery, Roundtree Days, will be published in July 2022.

A former violinist with the Boston Symphony and associate concertmaster of the Utah Symphony, Elias divides his time between the shores of Puget Sound in Seattle, and his cottage in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts, where he maintains a vibrant concert career while continuing to expand his literary horizons.

Waverly Fitzgerald – in memoriam – Also wrote as Waverly Curtis (with Curt Colbert) in a humorous mystery series featuring a talking Chihuahua named Pepe and his PI partner Geri Sullivan.

Tessa Floreano is a content strategist by day, historical fiction writer by night. Slain Over Spumoni, her debut romantic mystery novella, is part of The Wild Rose Press’s One Scoop or Two lighthearted beach read series.

DeeAnna Galbraith is the author of three romantic suspense novels and two mysteries, McCarren’s Rules — Angel Falls and McCarren’s Rules — Creole Secret, published by The Wild Rose Press.

Ramona Gault’s debut novel, The Dry Line, is a thriller/romance set in New Mexico. She is currently putting out queries for her new mystery, Nosy Woman, which is set in her native South. She’s also the author of Artistry in Clay: A Buyer’s Guide to Southwestern Indian Pottery and co-author of The Santa Fe & Taos Book: A Complete Guide.

Janice Gorow – It’s murder to be single! And having a mother who owns a dating agency can be just as daunting, especially if said mother is dogged about keeping you hooked to the one guy you least want to see. Welcome to the life of sassy Kat Kallio, an unattached mid-lifer, who, living in an up-scale ski town, chooses peace over war by agreeing to host Mom’s “Right One” singles bash. Unfortunately, the party takes a nosedive when Kat’s ex-guy turns up smashed, and it continues to plummet into deep mucky-muck when Kat meets up with the dead body of Mom’s smarmy accountant.

Leslie J. Hall is the author of the Kaitlyn Willis Road Signs mysteries, a humorous, PG-rated, amateur sleuth series. She loves to speak, and teach, and share her passion for writing with others. When not writing mysteries, Leslie can be found volunteering for writer-related events, leading Write Night (a weekly facilitated writing critique group), teaching beginning writing in adult ed, correcting others’ grammar, thinking about writing, laughing a lot, and hanging out at the beach whenever possible.

A native of Seattle, Glen Erik Hamilton’s novels have won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics’ awards, and been nominated for the Edgar, Barry, and Nero awards.  His series featuring reformed thief Van Shaw has been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine). The latest, Island of Thieves, was named one of USA Today’s “5 Books Not to Miss.” After living for many years in Southern California, he and his family have recently returned to the Emerald City and its beautiful overcast skies.

Robert Herold – The supernatural always had the allure of forbidden fruit, ever since Robert Herold’s mother refused to allow him, as a boy, to watch creature features on late night TV. She caved in. (Well, not literally.) Following the siren’s call, he wrote The Eidola Project, based on a germ of an idea he had as a teenager.

Karen Hugg lives in Seattle, where she writes literary mysteries and thrillers inspired by plants. Her work has appeared in the Crime Reads, Thrive Global, and the Rooted anthology. Her novel Harvesting the Sky is the second book in her Botanique Noire trilogy, which combines vivid literary prose and a thriller plot, while enticing readers with the wonder and magic of plants. 

Jane Isenberg – Menopausal professorial angst and humor in the Bel Barrett Mysteries, and The Bones and the Book, a stand-alone Seattle mystery taking place during the gold rush and the 1960s. Her most recent book, Murder In The Melting Pot, is set in the Yakima Valley between 2008 and 2016.

After thirty-five years in business management, Mark Jacobs spends his time now working on his debut mystery novel. He has published articles and columns in the Los Angeles Times, Frontiers and Whole Person Calendar and has a past in public speaking and bookstore ownership. When not writing, reading or researching curious local crimes for future plots, Mark scours the PNW for strong coffee and flaky croissants, spends lots of time in Paris and perfects chocolate chip cookies. He lives in Seattle with husband Roger and pooch Sophie and is a member of Sisters in Crime Puget Sound as well as SinC’s Guppy Chapter.

Joanne Jaytanie writes writes romantic suspense, paranormal, mystery-thriller, supernatural suspense, and contemporary romance. Her latest book is latest book is Reaching Hope (Dog Talk, Book 1).

Larry Karp – in memoriam – A little medicine and music with your murders, including one co-authored with his son Casey Karp.

Bharti Kirchner is the author of eight critically acclaimed novels (in various genres, including historical, literary, and mystery) and four cookbooks. Goddess of Fire, a historical set in the 17th century, was shortlisted for the Nancy Pearl Award. Her most recent is Murder at Andaman: A Maya Mallick Mystery (Book 2). Bharti has written for Food & Wine, Vegetarian Times, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Seattle Times, and eleven anthologies. Her short story “Promised Tulips,” first published in Seattle Noir, was recognized as a top noir story and appeared in USA Noir. Her many awards include a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellowship. She has been honored as a Living Pioneer Asian American Author.

Catherine Linka loves to put her characters in danger. Her three published YA novels include What I Want You to See, a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2021 for 14+. Catherine received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and spent eight years as a book buyer for an indie bookstore. She speaks at workshops and writing conferences on character desire and the story core. She is a recent arrival to the Pacific Northwest.

Jeanne Matthews – Author of the international mystery series featuring cultural anthropologist and amateur sleuth Dinah Pelerin, and the Garnick and Paschal historical mysteries.

Susan McCormick is an award-winning writer and doctor who lives in Seattle. She served in the U.S. Army for nine years before moving to the Pacific Northwest and civilian medical practice. She writes The Fog Ladies cozy mystery series, set in an elegant apartment building in San Francisco, with spunky senior sleuths and an overtired young doctor-in-training who team up to solve life problems and murder.

Erica Miner is an award-winning author, screenwriter, lecturer and journalist. A former Metropolitan Opera violinist, she brings her experience at the Met to the mystery/thriller genre with her series of opera mystery thrillers set in some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses: Murder in the Pit, Death by Opera, Staged for Murder, Aria for Murder and Prelude to Murder.

Alexis Morgan – Not only did Abby McCree inherit her aunt’s house in Snowberry Creek, Washington, she inherited a handsome tenant and a whole lot of trouble . . .

Death by Intermission, published in 2021, is the fourth installment in the Abby McCree Mysteries.

Linda Norlander is the author of A Cabin by the Lake mystery series set in Northern Minnesota. Books in the series include Death of an Editor, Death of a Starling and Death of a Snow Ghost. Norlander has published award winning short stories, op-ed pieces and short humor featured in regional and national publications. Before taking up the pen to write murder mysteries, she worked in public health and end-of-life care. Norlander resides in Tacoma, Washington, with her spouse.

Elizabeth Pantley is the author of the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic book series. She says it’s the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the beautiful inspiration for the enchanted Destiny Falls world.

Jen Pitts – The French Quarter Mysteries feature West Coast transplant Samantha Richardson settling into her new hometown, New Orleans. Her neighborhood is full of music, food and history as well as interesting people. Join Sammy as she explores the Big Easy by solving the mysteries of the past and present in this new modern, cozy mystery series.

Candace Robb – Writing about the mean streets of medieval York in two series—Owen Archer and Kate Clifford.

Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more entertaining than plodding through paperwork. Her national bestselling Laurel McKay humorous mystery series is primarily set in the California Gold Country, unless Cindy feels like traveling. Then the characters tag along with her on trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean and Las Vegas. Her new Spindrift Cove mystery series, set on the Olympic Peninsula, features Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise ship director. Cindy is a five-time finalist for the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and a two-time finalist for the Silver Falchion Award for Best Traditional Mystery. 

Charlotte Stuart’s award winning humorous mystery series feature strong female protagonists. In the Discount Detective Mysteries, a single mother of two takes a job with a suburban mall detective agency. In the Macavity & Me Mysteries, the protagonist—a single woman living aboard a sailboat—shares the spotlight with her cat Macavity. Both have two different colored eyes.

Elena Taylor – Author of All We Buried: A Sheriff Bet Rivers Mystery. Elena also writes the Eddie Shoes Mystery Series under the name Elena Hartwell.

Marty Wingate – The USA Today best-selling author shares her love of Britain in three mystery series: The First Edition Library mysteries, The Potting Shed books and the Birds of a Feather mysteries. She is also the author of two historical novels, Glamour Girls (2021) and The Orphans of Mersea House (August 2022).

Joyce Yarrow was born in the SE Bronx, escaped to Manhattan as a teenager and now lives in Seattle with her husband and son. Along the way to becoming a full-time author, Joyce has worked as a screenwriter, singer-songwriter, multimedia performance artist and most recently, a member of the world music vocal ensemble, Abráce.