Thomas Perry

Thomas Perry is an American born mystery writer of some acclaim. Born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947, Perry has authored a number of mystery stories as well as an ongoing series with the heroine, Jane Whitefield. His most recent novel, “Runner,” was released in January 2009 and is a Jane Whitfield story. Perry took a ten year hiatus from writing the Jane Whitfield series, from 1999 to 2009. During that time he wrote six other novels, including Death benefits, Pursuit, Dead Aim, Nightlife, Silence and Fidelity.

Perry received his education from Cornell University and the University of Rochester, where he obtained a PhD in English Literature. He has held many jobs during his lifetime, from a common laborer to a university administrator and teacher and just about everything in between.

“The Butcher's Boy,” which earned him an Edgar Award for best first novel, is about a hired killer who discovers that he is no longer needed by his employers and how he reacts to that information.

In writing the Jane Whitfield series, Perry was faced with challenges every day. His first five Whitfield novels were positioned about a year apart, and he wanted his main character to age along with the stories. He also wanted her to face new challenges, along with the old ones, and grow in her reactions to them. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and children.

If you haven’t read any of Thomas Perry’s books, this just might be the time to start.