Michael Connelly, Author Biographies

Michael Connelly was born on July 21, 1956, in Philadelphia and raised from the time he was 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He hales from a large family with him being the eldest child.

Michael’s father was a property developer and his mother a homemaker. Michael says his parents encouraged all the children to be successful.

Michael’s mother loved to read, especially mysteries. He read some of her books as a child before he found his own. Michael says he likes the more hardboiled mysteries.

Michael attended the University of Florida where he majored in journalism with a minor in creative writing. It was while there that he came across the works of Raymond Chandler.

Michael married Linda McCaleb in April of 1984. They have a daughter, Callie. Michael says that he feels that since having a child he has become a better writer because he has become a better person.

Michael was a reporter for about 13 years covering the courts and the police beat. He said he considered this research for the time when he started to write fiction.

Michael moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1987, when one of Michael Connelly’s stories was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and caught the attention of the Los Angeles Times. Michael says this was a secret hope of his, “...because the most influential writers of crime novels, to me at least, all wrote about Los Angeles or Southern California. The place has a certain interest for readers.”

In 1995, Michael quit his reporting gig and concentrated full time on his fiction-writing career. He says he prefers crime novels over other genres. He, for instance, does not see himself writing general fiction or science fiction. He writes what he likes to read. You have to write what comes from within.

In 2001, Michael and his family moved from Los Angeles back to Florida to be closer to their families. Although he now has to work from “creative memory,” Michael says he still goes back to visit. Meanwhile, he says he tries to read whatever comes out about LA.

Several years ago at a journalism conference Michael stated, “You scratch a reporter and you find a novelist wannabe...its a natural extension of the job because novels carry a lot of reporting and truth. You have to experience the world to write about it.”

Books by Michael Connelly:

Series:

Harry Bosch:

The Black Echo (1992)

(1993)

The Concrete Blonde (1994)

The Last Coyote (1995)

Trunk Music (1996)

Angel’s Flight (1998)

A Darkness More Than Night (2000)

City of Bones (2002)

Lost Light (2003)

The Narrows (2004)

The Closers (2005)

Echo Park (2006)

The Overlook (2007)

Nine Dragons (2009)

Jack McEvoy :

The Poet (1995)
2009)

Mickey Haller:

The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)

(2008)

Stand Alone Novels:

Blood Work (1998)

Void Moon (1999)

Chasing the Dime (2002)

Non Fiction:

Crime Beat: Stories of Cops and Killers (2006)

Omnibus:

The Harry Bosch Novels: The Black Echo, The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde (2000)

The Harry Bosch Novels Volume 2: The Last Coyote/Trunk Music/Angels Flight (2003)

Two Great Novels: The Black Echo, The Black Ice (2004)

The Harry Bosch Novels Volume 3: Darkness More Than Night/City of Bones/Lost Night (2008)

Anthologies Edited:

The Best American Mystery Stories 2003 (2003) (with Otto Penzler)

Murder in Vegas: New Crime Tales of Gambling and Depression (2005)

The Blues Religion: New Stories About Cops, Criminals, and Chase (2008)

In the Shadow of the Master (2009)

Mary Higgins Clark, Author Biographies

Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins was born in the Bronx on December 24, 1927. She was the only daughter of Irish immigrant, Luke Higgins and wife Nora. Her father died when Mary was only 11 years old.

To help her struggling mother financially, Mary went to secretarial school after she graduated high school. She worked at an advertising agency for three years until she decided she wanted to travel.

In 1949 Mary was a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines. Her run was Europe, Africa and Asia. She says, “I was in a revolution in Syria and

on the last flight into Czechoslovakia before

the Iron Curtain went down.” Of course, back then your were like starlets because Pan Pam was the air line to work for.

After her marriage in1950 to her neighbor, Warren Clark, whom she had know since a teenager, Mary started writing short stories. She sold one of her first stories in 1956 for $100.

Mary and Warren had five children together, but Warren died of a heart attack in 1964. Left raising the children on her own, Mary started writing patriotic radio scripts and books. The first book she wrote was, “Aspire to the Heavens.” In 2002, Meredith Press republished this book under a new title, “Mount Vernon Love Story.”

Mary went back to college graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Philosophy at Fordham University at Lincoln Center in 1979. Later, asked why philosophy, she said that there is much psychology in philosophy, which helped her become a better writer. Today Mary has thirteen honorary doctorates.

Mary does use much psychology in her novels. Asked about ESP, Mary says that she believes that all writers have an intuitive sense, “I firmly believe in ESP. Sometimes there is thought transference...” However, she does not believe in channelling or reincarnation.

Mary Higgins Clark tackles many controversial subjects in her novels, such as fertility clinics, capital punishment, HMO’s, multiple personalities and parapsychology. However, Mary has never used explicit sex or violence in her books. Maybe that is why they appeal to the growing number of young adults reading her novels.

Mary’s daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, also a suspense writer, has co-authored several books with her.

In 1996, Mary married John Conheeney. John is the retired chairman and CEO of Merrill-Lynch Futures. They make Saddle River, New Jersey their home.

Although Mary is known as “The Queen of Suspense,” she says that she still wants to write a book that is a generational saga.

Books by Mary Higgins Clark:

Series:

Regan Reilly (with Carol Higgins Clark)

Deck the Halls (Holiday Classics) (2000)

The Christmas Thief ((2004)

Santa Cruise (2006)

Dashing Through the Snow (2008)

Stand Alone Novels:

Aspire to the Heavens (1960)

Where Are the Children? (1975)

A Stranger is Watching? (1977)

The Cradle Will Fall (1980)

A Cry in the Night (1982)

(1984)

Weep No More, My Lady (1987)

While My Pretty One Sleeps (1989)

Loves Music, Loves to Dance (1991)

All Around the Town (1992)

I’ll Be Seeing You (1993)

Remember Me (1994)

Pretend You Don't See Her (1994)

Silent Night (1995)

Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1995)

Moonlight Becomes You (1996)

You Belong to Me (1998)

All Through the Night (1998)

We’ll Meet Again (1999)

Before I Say Good-Bye (2000)

He Sees You When You’re Sleeping (2001) (With Carol Higgins Clark)

On the Street where You Live (2001)

Daddy’s Little Girl (2002)

The Second Time Around (2003)

Nighttime is My Time (2004)

No Place Like Home (2005)

Two Little Girls in Blue (2006)

I Heard That Song Before: A Novel (2007)

Where Are You Now (2008)

Just Take My Heart: A Novel (2009)

(2010)

Children’s Fiction:

Ghost Ship: A Cape Cod Story (2007)

Non Fiction:

Mother (1996) (with Maya Angelou and Amy Tan)

(2001)

Anthologies Edited:

Murder on the Aisle: The 1987 Mystery Writers of America Anthology (1987)

Caribbean Blues (1988)

Women of Mystery (1992) (with Faye Kellerman and Cynthia Manson)

Bad Behavior (1995)

The Plot Thickens (1997)

The Night Awakens (1998)

Great Mystery Series: 11 of the Best Short Stories from Alfred Hitchcock’s And Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (2000) (with Lawrence Block and Ralph McInerny)

Collections:

The Anastasia Syndrome: And Other Stories (1989)

That’s the Ticket/Voices in the Coal Bin (1990) (with Carol Higgins Clark)

Death on the Cape: and Other Stories (1993)

Stowaway and Milk Run (1993)

The Lottery Winner: Alvirah and Willy Stories (1994)

My Gal Sunday: Henry and Sunday Stories (1996)

James Patterson Author Biographies

James Patterson was born on March 22, 1947 in Newburg, New York. He was one of three children born to father Charles Patterson, an insurance broker, and mother Isabel Patterson, a teacher and homemaker. James majored in English and earned his BA at Manhattan College in 1969 and his MA in English at Vanderbilt College in 1970.

James took a job at the advertising firm, J. Walter Thompson, as a junior copy editor. He worked his way up to Chairman. While working full time he started writing manuscripts.

James Patterson's first book, “The Thomas Berryman Number” was published in 1976 after being turned down by 31 publishers and won an Edgar Award, the most prestigious award in the mystery genre. James kept working at the advertising firm until 1996 when he started writing full time. James says that he quit the firm so he could find a wife.

James Patterson’s novel, “Along Came a Spider”, was published in 1992. This novel, a best seller, became the first of his Alex Cross series and was made into a movie starring Morgan Freeman.

James Patterson has been criticized for his collaborations with various authors. However, James says he likes sharing the spotlight with other authors. Collaborating brings new and interesting ideas. He says that although it may be a little unorthodox in the publishing world, "almost all TV shows ... are done by teams of writers. It's not as unusual as people think it is."

James Patterson founded and funds The Page Turner awards. This foundation awards $250,000 annually to institutions that encourage the joy and excitement of reading. James has ventured into writing for children and young adults and has published some graphic novels.

James spends the Winters in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Summers in New York with his wife, Susan, and their son Jack. Susan was a four-time all American swimmer and still swims twice a day. James is an avid golfer and he enjoys a round or two with friends in his free time.

Books by James Patterson:

Novels:
The Thomas Berryman Number (1976)
Season of the Machete (1976)
The Jericho Commandment (1979)
Virgin (1980)
Black Market (1986)
The Midnight Club (1988)
Sam’s Letters to Jennifer (1991)
Hide and Seek (1995)
Miracle on the 17th Green (1996) (with Peter De Jong)
Cradle and All (2000)
Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas (2001)
The Beach House (2002) (with Peter De Jong)
The Jester (2003) (with Andrew Gross)
Honeymoon (2005) (with Howard Roughan)
The Lifeguard (2005) (with Andrew Gross)
Beach Road (2006) (with Peter De Jong)
Judge and Jury (2006) with Andrew Gross)
The Quickie (2007) (with Michael Ledwidge)
You’ve Been Warned (2007) (with Howard Roughan)
Sundays at Tiffany (2008) (With Gabrielle Charbonnet)
Sail (2009) (with Howard Roughan)
Swimsuit (2009) (with Maxine Paetro)
2009) (With Gabrielle Charbonnet)
Don’t Blink (2010)

Series:
Alex Cross:
Along Came a Spider (1992)
Kiss the Girls (1994)
Jack and Jill (1996)
Cat and Mouse (1997)
Pop! Goes the Weasel (1999)
Roses are Red (2000)
Violets are Blues (2001)
Four Blind Mice (2002)
The Big Bad Wolf (2003)
London Bridges (2004)
Mary Mary (2005)
Cross (2006)
Double Cross (2007)
Cross Country (2008)
Alex Cross's TRIAL (2009) (with Richard DiLallo)
(2009)
When the Wind Blows:
When the Wind Blows (1998)
The Lake House (2003)

Women’s Murder Club:
1st to Die (2001)
2nd Chance (2002) (with Andrew Gross)
3rd Degree (2004) (with Andrew Gross)
4th of July (2005 (Maxine Paetro)
The 5th Horseman (2006) (Maxine Paetro)
The 6th Target (2007) (Maxine Paetro)
7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club) (2008) (Maxine Paetro)
9th Confession (2009) (Maxine Paetro)
(2010)

Maximum Ride:
The Angel’s Experiment (2005)
Schools Out—Forever (2006)
Saving the World: And Other Extreme Sports (2007)
The Final Warning (2008)
Max (2009)
Fang (2010)

Michael Bennett: (with Michael Ledwidge)
Step on a Crack (2007)
Run for Your Life (2009)
(2009)


Daniel X:
Alien Hunter (2008) (with Leopold Gout)
Dangerous Days of Daniel X (2008) (with Michael Ledwidge)
Daniel X: Watch the Skies (2009) (with Ned Rust)

Childrens Books:
Santakid (2004)

Graphic Novels:
Maximum Ride, Vol. 1 Manga (2009)
Maximum Ride, Vol. 2 Manga (2009)

Non Fiction:
Torn Apart: The Heartbreaking Story of a Childhood Lost (2008) (with Hal Friedman)
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King - A Nonfiction Thriller (2009) (with Martin Dugard)

Ken Follett, Author Biographies

Ken Follett was born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales. His father, Martin, a tax inspector, and his mother, Veenie, moved the family to London when he was 10 years old. He was raised in a strict Christian household. With little outside entertainment, he acquired an appreciation for books and storytelling.

Ken earned a bachelors degree in philosophy from the University of London in 1970. (In 1995, he was made a fellow of this college.) Ken took a three month post graduate course in journalism and moved back to Cardiff, Wales to pursue his career.

Ken Follett married Mary in 1968. They have a son and daughter, but later divorced.

Ken Follett worked as a journalist for the South Wales Echo for three years. Upon returning to London, he worked as a general assignment reporter for the London Evening News. He wrote stories in his spare time.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, he says he sold one of his first stories for $500, which is the amount he owed to get his car fixed.

Although Ken Follett wrote two children’s books and several novels, he didn’t become a success until “Eye of the Needl

e,” his eleventh book, was published in 1978. He was only 27 years old. This book won the prestigious Edgar Award and was the first of several of his subsequent books to be made into films.

In 1974 Ken left journalism for publishing at Everest Books where he later became Deputy Managing director.

Ken Follett became involved in politics supporting the Labor Party. In 1984 Ken married Barbara Boer, a member of Parliament for Stevenage in Hertferdshire. He became stepfather to her three children by a previous spouse.

Even though Ken Follett’s novel, “Pillars of the Earth,” published in 1989, was a big hit, it became a sensation when Oprah Winfrey added it to her Book Club. Now finally after fans of his work begging him, there is a sequel, “World Without End.”

Ken is involved in many charities, National Year of Reading, Reading is Fundamental, The Dyslexia Institute, National Literary Trust,

the Welsh Academy, National Academy of Writing, and the Royal Academy of Arts to name a few.

Ken Follett and his wife make Stevenage their home. They also own a townhouse in London and a vacation home in Antigua.

Books by Ken Follett:

Series: Apples Carstairs Series: (written as Simon Myles)
The Big Needle (1974)
The Big Black (1974)
The Big Hit (1975)

Piers Roper:
The Shakeout (1975)
The Bear Raid (1976)

Pillars of the Earth:
World Without End (1989)
World Without End (2007)

Childrens’ Books:

The Power Twins: A Science Fantasy for Young People (1976) (written as Martin Martinsen)
The Mystery Hideout (1976)

Novels:
Amok King of Legend (1976) (written as Bernard L. Ross)
The Secret of Kellerman’s Studio (1976)
The Modigliani Scandal (1976) (written as Zachary Stone)
Paper Money (1977) (written as Zachary Stone)
Capricorn One (1978) (written as Bernard L. Ross)
Eye of the Needle (1978)
Triple (1979)
(1980)
The Man from St. Petersburg (1982)
Lie Down With Lions (1985)
Night Over Water (1991)
A Dangerous Fortune (1993)
A Place Called Freedom (1995)
The Third Twin (1996)
The Hammer of Eden (1998)
Code to Zero (2000)
Jackdaws (2001)
Hornet Flight (2002)

(2004)

Nonfiction:
Under the Streets of Nice (1978) (with Louis Maurice)
On Wings of Eagles (1983)

Dominick Dunne, Author Biographies

Dominick (Nicky) Dunne was born in Hartford Connecticut on October 29, 1925. He haled from a wealthy Irish Catholic Family. Dominick

was the second of six children. His mother was Dorothy Francis Dunne and his father was surgeon and hospital chief of staff, Dr. Richard Edwin Dunne.

Dominick states that he always felt like an outsider in his own family. He was more interested in the arts and the glamour of Hollywood than in sports and other more masculine pursuits. His father did not understand this and was verbally and physically abusive towards Dominick.

Dominick enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II, bringing home the Bronze Star for his bravery in action. He was only 19. When Dominick came back from the war, he went back to school in Massachusetts, attending Williams College where he earned his bachelors degree in 1949.

In 1954 Dominick met actor/heiress Ellen Beatriz Griffin, known as Lenny, and married her six weeks later. They had three children, Griffin, Alexander and Dominique. The children were raised and schooled in wealth and privilege. Although Dominick and Lenny divorced in 1965, they remained close.

In New York, in 1957, Dominick began his career as a stage manager for The Howdy Doody Show and other live television plays. The Dunnes moved to Hollywood in 1957 where Dominick was vice-president of a film studio for several years. He went on to produce movies on his own.

Dominick and Lenny met, mingled and partied with the hoi poloi of the Hollywood scene. The Dunne’s were well known for the elaborate parties they threw and the parties they attended.

Eventually things got out of hand with the drugs and alcohol. In a Time interview in 1999, Dominick stated, “When I had my fall from grace and lost everything including my marriage, my home, my career, everything, I left Hollywood at 50 years old, broke, drunk, drugged, and went to a cabin in Oregon to get my life back in order.”

The result of this self-imposed isolation was a novel, “The Winners.” Dominick continued writing the rest of his life. Asked if writing came easy to him, he said that while writing did not come easy to him, he wouldn’t call it a struggle, either. He says it is important to write every day.

Dominick became a contributing editor at Vanity Fair in 1984. One of his first assignments was to cover the trial of John Sweeney, the man who murdered his only daughter, Dominique, the year before.

Dominique's mother, Lenny, became a victim’s rights advocate and started the “Justice for Homicide Victims” organization. Lenny was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1975 and died in 1997.

Dominick followed and wrote about many celebrity trials. Some of the more prominent ones being both OJ Simpson and the Menendez brothers trials. He also became the host and contributor for truTV’s, “Power, Privilege and Justice.” Dominick didn’t have any pity for those he said, “Had the best justice that money could buy.”

The Cambridge History of Law in America states...”Dominick filled the niche with panache, becoming one of the nation’s premier popular chroniclers of notorious criminal trials and lawsuits involving celebrities.”

Dominick Dunne died of bladder cancer at his home in Manhattan on August 26, 2009, at the age of 83. At the time, he was working on his latest novel, “Too Much Money.”

Books by Dominic Dunne:

Novels:

The Winners (1982)

The Two Mrs. Grenvilles: A Novel (1985)

People Like Us (1988)

An Inconvenient Woman: A Novel (1990)

A Season of Purgatory (1993)

(1997)

(2009)

Omnibus:

Dominic Dunne: Three Complete Novels (1994)

Collections: The Mansions of Limbo (1991)

Non Fiction:

(1987)

The Way We Lived Then: The Recollections of a Well-known Name Dropper (1999)

Justice: Crimes, Trials, and Punishments (2001)