Magdalen Nabb was a highly acclaimed author from England, best known for her works in the mystery and thriller genres. She was particularly famous for creating the Marshal Guarnaccia Mystery series, which became very popular among readers. Nabb was born as Magdalen Nuttal on January 17, 1947, in Blackburn, Lancashire, United Kingdom. She received her early education at the Convent Grammar School in Bury and later attended an art college in Manchester. There, she studied pottery and arts, which she later taught in an art school.
In 1975, Nabb moved to Florence, Italy, with her son, Liam. At that time, she did not speak Italian and initially continued to work on her pottery skills in a small pottery town near Florence. During this time, she also began writing stories. It was during one of her visits to Montelupo that she met the inspiration behind the character of Marshal Guarnaccia. This encounter led to the creation of her first book featuring Marshal Guarnaccia, titled "Death of an Englishman," which was published in 1981. All the stories that Nabb wrote in the mystery genre in the following years were set in Florence.
Magdalen Nabb pursued a dual career as a crime writer and children's author, living in Florence since 1975. She was known for her Marshal Guarnaccia Mystery series, set in Florence, which she described as 'a very secret city.' Nabb was also successful in writing the Josie Smith books, set in her native Lancashire, which formed the basis of the Granada children's TV series, Josie Smith. Her first book, Josie Smith, was runner-up for the Guardian Children's Fiction Award in 1989, and in 1991, Josie Smith and Eileen was winner of the prestigious Smarties Book Prize for the 6-8 age group. Nabb's ability to write compelling stories for both adults and children made her a beloved and respected figure in the literary world.