Wendy Hornsby

Wendy Hornsby is an American author, best known for her Maggie MacGowen series of mystery novels. She was born in Southern California, which serves as the setting for her nine mystery novels. Hornsby has received numerous awards for her work, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award, its French equivalent le Grand Prix de litterature policiere, and nominations for the Anthony Award and the Prix Du Roman D'Adventures.

Hornsby's interest in writing began at a young age. In the second grade, her teacher, Barbara Heath, encouraged her writing habits and gave her a copy of Little Women, which inspired her to become a writer like the character of Jo March. By the fourth grade, Hornsby had turned professional, winning a community contest with her essay on why she loved Camp Nawakwa. This early success solidified her ambition to become a writer.

Hornsby attended UCLA, where she majored in History, inspired by the subject's romantic and adventurous qualities. After passing her Master's exams at CSULB, she began teaching History as an adjunct professor at Long Beach City College. Teaching and studying History allowed Hornsby to hone her skills as a mystery writer, as she learned to sift through people's lives, asking essential questions to make sense of things.

Wendy Hornsby's work has been praised by critics, who have described it as "refreshing [and] real" (NY Times), "unusually poignant" (LA Times), and "powerful writing and... equally thought-provoking story" (Publisher's Weekly). The Cleveland Plain Dealer declared, "No mystery novelist since Raymond Chandler may have captured downtown Los Angeles as Hornsby does." Hornsby continues to reside in Long Beach, CA, where she teaches History at a local college.