Thomas H. Cook

Thomas H. Cook is an accomplished American author, well-known for his mystery and suspense novels. He was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1947 and went on to earn undergraduate and master's degrees in American History from Georgia State College and Hunter College, respectively. He later received a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Cook's career in writing began when he worked as a book review editor for Atlanta Magazine for four years. After this, he transitioned to writing fiction full-time.

Cook's writing has received critical acclaim for his attention to psychology and the lyrical nature of his prose. He has written over 30 fiction books, including works of true crime. His debut novel, Blood Innocents, was published in 1980. Throughout the 1980s, Cook published steadily and wrote the Frank Clemons trilogy, a series of mysteries starring a jaded cop. Cook's breakout success came with The Chatham School Affair, published in 1996, which won the Edgar Award for best novel. In addition to his mysteries, Cook has also written two true-crime books, including the Edgar-nominated Blood Echoes.

Cook has been praised by critics and readers alike for his ability to craft compelling narratives and delve into the complexities of the human psyche. He has been nominated for the Edgar Award seven times in five different categories and has won several awards, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel for The Chatham School Affair, the Martin Beck Award, the Herodotus Prize for Best Historical Short Story, and the Barry Award for Best Novel for Red Leaves. Cook currently lives in Cape Cod and New York City with his family.