Jean Charlaine Harris, born in Mississippi in 1951, is an American author primarily known for her mystery novels. She developed an early interest in writing, transitioning from playwriting in college to publishing mysteries. Her career includes several long-running series featuring recurring characters, often venturing into the urban fantasy genre.

Harris is most recognized for "The Southern Vampire Mysteries," featuring a telepathic waitress named Sookie Stackhouse, which was adapted into the successful HBO television series "True Blood." This series explored supernatural elements like vampires and werewolves. Other notable series include the Aurora Teagarden books, the Lily Bard (Shakespeare) series, and the Harper Connelly Mysteries, where the protagonist can locate the dead. Her work has been adapted into various media, including television films and video games. Harris has also edited anthologies and is a member of several professional writing organizations.

Born and raised in Tunica, Mississippi, Charlaine Harris displayed a creative inclination from a young age, initially writing poems about ghosts and teenage angst. While attending Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, she shifted her focus to playwriting before ultimately dedicating herself to writing and publishing mystery novels. Her early career included stand-alone mysteries before she embarked on her first recurring series, the Aurora Teagarden books, beginning with "Real Murders." This series, which earned an Agatha Award nomination, saw Harris pause and then resume writing after exploring other projects in the mid-1990s.

Harris later introduced the Lily Bard, or Shakespeare, series, set in rural Arkansas and featuring a cleaning lady detective. Following this, she created "The Southern Vampire Mysteries," which became her most widely recognized work. This series, starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse, delves into the world of vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings, blending mystery with elements of the paranormal. The series achieved significant international success and was adapted into the popular television show "True Blood." Harris also explored the supernatural through the Harper Connelly Mysteries, where the protagonist has the ability to find dead bodies and perceive their final moments, a concept stemming from a lightning strike experience.

In addition to her popular mystery and urban fantasy series, Harris has co-authored graphic novels, such as the Cemetery Girl series. She has also penned the Midnight, Texas Trilogy and the Gunnie Rose series, further expanding her literary output. Her novels have been frequently adapted into other formats, including full-cast audio dramas by GraphicAudio, television films for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries based on the Aurora Teagarden series, and the NBC television series "Midnight, Texas." Harris has also been involved in the creation of video games based on her work and has served as an editor for various crime and mystery anthologies.