Robert Maxwell

Edith Maxwell, also known as Maddie Day, is an American author recognized with an Agatha Award for her contributions to mystery fiction. She specializes in cozy, traditional, and historical mysteries, predominantly set within the United States. Maxwell's writing career began with early fiction publications and has since evolved into a full-time endeavor, resulting in a substantial body of work including novels and novellas. She is an active member of several professional writing organizations, including Sisters in Crime and the Mystery Writers of America. Maxwell's preference for writing cozy mysteries stems from a desire to offer readers an escape from the harsh realities of the world, aiming to leave them feeling better rather than worse after finishing a book.

Before dedicating herself to fiction, Maxwell pursued a diverse range of professions. Her background includes experience as an auto mechanic, an English teacher in Japan, and a childbirth educator. She also managed a certified-organic farm and worked in software documentation. Her academic pursuits led to degrees in linguistics, and her international experiences include living and studying abroad in Brazil, Japan, Mali, and Burkina Faso. This varied life experience likely informs the settings and characters in her mystery novels.

Edith Maxwell deliberately chooses to write cozy mysteries because she finds the world already sufficiently filled with fear and turmoil. Her intention is to provide readers with an experience that offers solace and a more positive outlook, rather than amplifying societal anxieties. This approach guides her narrative choices, focusing on stories that aim to uplift and entertain without delving into the grimness of noir or nail-biting thrillers. She believes that literature can serve as a restorative force, and her work is crafted with the aim of leaving readers feeling better about society and themselves.

Prior to her career as a mystery novelist, Edith Maxwell engaged in a wide array of professions, showcasing a multifaceted life. Her experiences include working as an auto mechanic, teaching English conversation in Japan, and offering independent childbirth classes in Massachusetts. She also managed a small organic farm and contributed freelance articles. Most recently, before becoming a full-time author, she developed software documentation for high-tech firms in the Boston area. Maxwell's global perspective is further enriched by her time living in Brazil as an exchange student, Japan, Mali, and Burkina Faso, alongside her academic achievements in linguistics, holding both a BA and a PhD in the field.

“I don’t want to read noir or nail-biter thrillers. Our world is scary and messy enough. When I’m finished reading a book, I don’t want to feel worse about society. That’s what I write, too.”