The list of mystery writers born in January is as varied as the mystery genre. It includes classic authors and new best-selling authors.
Among mystery writers born in January are:
Harlan Coben - January 4 - This contemporary best-selling author has written sixteen novels, including 2006's Promise Me and 2007's The Woods. He has won the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony awards.
Umberto Eco - January 5 - An Italian medieval scholar, philospher, and novelist, Eco is best known for his historic mystery novel, The Name of the Rose, which was made into a movie with Sean Connery.
Joan Hess - January 6 - The author of 25+ mystery novels, this Arkansas-based writer is best known for her Maggody series. She is a past recipient of both the Agatha and the American Mystery Awards.
Wilkie Collins - January 8 - One of the pioneers of the mystery genre, this 19th century writer penned several classic mysteries, including Moonstone, number seven on the Mystery Guild of America's Top 15 mystery novels of all time.
Amanda Cross - January 13 - The pen name of novelist, professor, and feminist Carolyln Gold Heilbrun, Ms. Cross authored 14 mystery novels and 14 non-fiction works. She died in 2003.
Edgar Allan Poe - January 18 - Called by most the father of the mystery genre, Poe's Tales of the Mystery and Imagination is number 3 on the Mystery Guild of America's Top 15 mystery novels of all time.
Joseph Wambaugh - January 22 - Wambaugh is the popular contemporary writer of over a dozen police crime novels, including the 1975 Choirboys and his most recent, Hollywood Station.
