Iris Johansen

Iris Johansen, born in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American author whose writing career began in the early 1980s after she left her job as an airline reservations agent. Initially, she focused on romance novels. By 1991, she had shifted towards historical romantic suspense with the release of "The Wind Dancer." Her primary genre became suspense writing, particularly after the publication of the crime fiction thriller "Ugly Duckling" in 1996, which quickly led to her becoming a New York Times bestselling author.

Johansen's work has also seen a film adaptation; in 2011, the second novel in her Eve Duncan series, "The Killing Game," was adapted into a Lifetime movie. Over her career, she has been recognized with several awards, including multiple wins from Romantic Times for historical romance and suspense, and a career achievement award for thrillers. She resides in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is a screenwriter and novelist with whom she has co-authored the Kendra Michaels book series. Her daughter, Tamara, assists her with research.

Iris Johansen transitioned from a career in airline reservations to authorship in the early 1980s, initially concentrating on romance novels. A significant pivot in her writing occurred in 1991 with the release of "The Wind Dancer," marking her entry into historical romantic suspense. This exploration paved the way for her to establish suspense and crime fiction as her predominant genres. The publication of "Ugly Duckling" in 1996 solidified her position, propelling her to the ranks of New York Times bestselling authors. Her extensive bibliography spans various subgenres within romance and suspense, including numerous series and standalone novels that have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success.

Johansen's prolific output includes a wide array of novels, often organized into distinct series. Among her notable works are the "Eve Duncan" series, which features a forensic sculptor and saw one installment adapted into a film, and the "Kendra Michaels" series, co-authored with her son, Roy Johansen. Other series such as "Sedikhan," "Delaney," "The Delaneys of Killaroo," "Shamrock Trinity," and "Lion's Bride" further demonstrate her versatility within the romance and suspense landscape. Her standalone novels, like "The Ugly Duckling" and "Long After Midnight," also contribute significantly to her reputation as a best-selling author.

Throughout her career, Iris Johansen has received significant recognition for her contributions to the literary world, particularly within the crime fiction and romance genres. She has been honored by Romantic Times with multiple awards, including a Historical Romance award in 1996 and a Suspense award in 1999. Further cementing her status, she received the Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Thriller in 2016. These accolades underscore her consistent impact and sustained success in captivating readers with her suspenseful narratives.

Iris Johansen's personal life is closely intertwined with her professional endeavors. She resides in Georgia with her husband. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an accomplished Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist, and they have collaborated on the "Kendra Michaels" book series. Her daughter, Tamara, provides research assistance for her mother's work. This familial involvement highlights a supportive environment for her creative output and has led to successful co-authored projects.