April Henry is a successful American author who specializes in writing mysteries and thrillers. She was born in April 1959 in Portland, Oregon, where she currently resides with her family. Henry is an alumna of Oregon State University, where she earned a business degree. In addition to her writing, Henry is also an experienced martial artist, with a particular expertise in Kungfu, and has worked as a German translator.
When Henry was just 12 years old, she sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dahl was impressed with the story and arranged for it to be published in an international children's magazine. This early success fueled Henry's passion for writing, although she would not return to it until much later in life.
In her 30s, Henry found herself working a corporate job and writing books on the side. Those early years were a whirlwind of activity, with Henry writing a book a year, working full time, and caring for a baby. Despite the challenges, Henry persisted and eventually became a full-time writer. She has now written 27 novels for adults and teens, with more on the way.
Henry's books have been well-received by critics and readers alike. They have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, won the Anthony Award, and received starred reviews. In addition, they have been chosen for IndieNext, translated into eight languages, and won awards in over a dozen states. Despite these accolades, Henry remains humble and dedicated to her craft, always eager to hear from her readers and continue writing.