Jan Burke

Jan Burke is an author of novels and short stories. She is a winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel.

Bio

Burke was born 1 August 1953 in Houston, Texas, but has lived in Southern California most of her life. She comes from a close-knit family, and remains close to her parents, two sisters and a brother. Burke's husband is musician Tim Burke, whose bands include Downtight. She attended California State University, Long Beach, and graduated with a degree in history.

She worked as a researcher on an oral history project interviewing "Rosie the Riveters." Later she became the manager of a manufacturing plant for a large corporation.

She completed her first novel, Goodnight, Irene in the evenings after work. It was sold unagented and unsolicited to Simon & Schuster. She received a surprising boost from a new fan when, during his first White House interview after taking office, President Bill Clinton said he was reading Goodnight, Irene.

Novels

Irene Kelly Mysteries: