Naomi Hirahara

Naomi Hirahara is an accomplished American author, best known for her award-winning mystery series and her ability to explore complex cultural and historical themes in her work. She was born in Pasadena, California in 1962 and attended elementary school in Altadena. Later, she graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in international relations, with a focus on Africa. Hirahara has used her education and experiences to inform her writing and create nuanced and compelling characters and stories.

Hirahara has written several mystery series, including the Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai series, which features a Los Angeles gardener and Hiroshima survivor who solves crimes. This series has been translated into Japanese, French, and Korean, demonstrating its global appeal. Hirahara has also written two other series, one featuring a young mixed-race female LAPD bicycle cop named Ellie Rush and another starring a Filipina-Japanese American woman in Kauai named Lellani Santiago. In addition to her mystery series, Hirahara has also written nonfiction history books and one middle-grade novel. Her first historical mystery, CLARK AND DIVISION, will be released by Soho Crime in August 2021.

Hirahara's writing is informed by her own personal experiences and heritage. She was born and raised in Southern California and has a deep understanding of the Japanese American community and culture. This is evident in her Mas Arai series, which features a Japanese American gardener and atomic-bomb survivor as the main character. Hirahara has also written about the experiences of other underrepresented communities, such as mixed-race and Filipina-Japanese American women. Through her writing, Hirahara gives voice to these communities and sheds light on their experiences.

In addition to her work as a writer, Hirahara has also been an active volunteer and community member. She has volunteered in Ghana, Africa, and has worked as a editor for the largest Japanese American newspaper in the U.S. She currently resides in California with her husband. With her diverse background, personal experiences, and commitment to community, Hirahara brings a unique perspective and voice to her writing, making her a highly regarded and influential author in American literature.