Barbara Neely

Barbara Neely
BornBarbara Ann Neely
(1941-11-30)November 30, 1941
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 2020(2020-03-02) (aged 78)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationNovelist
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh University of Massachusetts
GenreMystery
Notable awardsAgatha Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award
SpouseJeremiah Cotton
Children2
Website
www.blanchewhite.com

Barbara Ann Neely (often self-stylized as BarbaraNeely; November 30, 1941 – March 2, 2020) was an African-American novelist, short story writer and activist who wrote murder mysteries. Her first novel, Blanche on the Lam (1992), introduced the protagonist Blanche White, a middle-aged mother, domestic worker and amateur detective. The Mystery Writers of America named her their 2020 Grand Master winner.