Betty Webb is a highly respected American author, known for her mystery novels, particularly the Lena Jones and Gunn Zoo Mysteries series. Originally from Hamilton, Alabama, Webb has resided in Scottsdale, Arizona since 1982, which also serves as the setting for her Lena Jones novels. She has had a diverse career, including working as a journalist and literary critic for over twenty years. Her journalistic background has led her to interview various notable figures, ranging from U.S. presidents to Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, and even homeless and hopeless individuals.
Weaving her rich experiences into her writing, Webb has led an eventful life, having picked cotton, raised chickens, worked in a zoo, been a go-go dancer, and a horse breeder. She also taught Sunday School, founded a literary magazine, and helped rebuild a 120-year-old farmhouse. Her varied background has significantly influenced her writing, providing her with unique insights and inspirations for her novels. In addition to her writing and journalism career, Webb contributes to Mystery Scene magazine and teaches creative writing at Phoenix College.
Much of Webb's writing focuses on mystery, suspense, and thriller genres, which she approaches with a strong sense of social consciousness. Her Lena Jones mysteries are based on true crimes and human rights abuses, earning praise from Publishers Weekly for her "mysteries with a social conscience." Webb's personal heritage has also played a significant role in her writing. On her father's side, her great-great-grandfather, William Douglas Webb, was of Seneca and English descent, while her mother's side hails from the Barons of Riddell in medieval Scotland. This diverse ancestry has provided Webb with a wealth of material to draw from in creating her compelling characters and intriguing storylines.