Dave Shedden

Lori Roy, born in 1965 in Manhattan, Kansas, is an American author known for her contributions to mystery fiction and Southern Gothic literature. She began writing during her high school years and later pursued a finance degree from the University of Kansas. Before her writing career took off, Roy worked in accounting for Hallmark Cards. She and her family relocated to the Tampa Bay area of Florida in the mid-1990s, where she transitioned from her accounting profession to focus on her writing and family.

Roy's published works include five novels and two short stories. Her debut novel, 'Bent Road' (2011), earned her the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author in 2012 and was recognized by the State Library of Kansas. She later won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2016 for 'Let Me Die in His Footsteps.' This dual Edgar win made her the first female author to achieve this distinction. Her other novels include 'Until She Comes Home' (2013), 'The Disappearing' (2018), and 'Gone Too Long' (2019). Her short story "Chum in the Water" was featured in the 2020 anthology 'Tampa Bay Noir.'

Lori Roy's literary journey began with her first published novel, 'Bent Road,' in 2011. This debut garnered significant critical acclaim, securing the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. The novel was also acknowledged by the State Library of Kansas as a Notable Book for 2012. Roy's success continued with her 2013 novel, 'Until She Comes Home,' which received an Edgar Award nomination. In 2016, she achieved a landmark win by receiving the Edgar Award for Best Novel for 'Let Me Die in His Footsteps.' This made her the first female author to win both the Best First Novel and Best Novel Edgar Awards. Her subsequent works, 'The Disappearing' (2018) and 'Gone Too Long' (2019), further solidified her reputation in the genre. Roy has also contributed short fiction to anthologies, including "Chum in the Water" in 'Tampa Bay Noir' (2020) and "Do You Remember" in 'When A Stranger Comes To Town' (2021).

Roy's writing process often involves drawing inspiration from her earlier, unpublished works. For instance, 'Bent Road' was developed from an earlier short story. She has also demonstrated strategic engagement with the publishing process, establishing social media presence to promote her work. Her novels frequently explore themes of mystery and societal issues, often set against specific historical or regional backdrops. 'Bent Road' delves into the experiences of a family relocating during the 1967 Detroit riots, while 'Until She Comes Home' is set in 1958 Detroit. Both feature plotlines involving missing persons and past homicides. Roy's later works, such as 'Let Me Die in His Footsteps,' are set in Kentucky during the mid-20th century, while 'The Disappearing' and 'Gone Too Long' are contemporary stories situated in Florida and Georgia, respectively. The latter draws upon historical events and social issues, including the Ku Klux Klan.