Carole Nelson Douglas is a prolific American author, best known for her mystery novels, suspense novels, thriller novels, fantasy novels, and women's fiction. She has written a total of sixty novels, with her two most famous series being the Midnight Louie mystery series and the Irene Adler suspense novels. Douglas was born in Everett, Washington, in 1944 and attended the College of St. Catherine, where she majored in English literature and theater. After graduating, she began her career as a reporter and editor for a local newspaper agency in Minneapolis.
Douglas's writing career began in earnest after she discovered a classified advertisement offering a black cat named Midnight Louie. She wrote a feature story about the cat, putting it into the cat's point of view, and later used the name for her feline mystery series. The Midnight Louie series, which features a black cat detective, is known for its wit and humor, and has been a favorite among readers for many years. Some of the series entries include a dedication to the original Midnight Louie, acknowledging that nine lives were not enough for the inspiration behind the series.
In addition to the Midnight Louie series, Douglas is also known for her Irene Adler suspense novels. She was the first woman to spin off a series from the Sherlock Holmes stories, featuring Irene Adler as the main character. The series has been well-received by readers and critics alike, with the first novel, Good Night, Mr. Holmes, being named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Douglas has won many awards for her writing, including four Romance Writers Rita Award finalist nominations and RT Book Reviews Career Achievement awards in Suspense, Mystery, Versatility, and as a Pioneer of Publishing. She has also received many Catwriters' Association Muse Medallions, reflecting her love for cats and their influence on her writing.
Douglas currently lives in Texas with her husband and cats. She continues to write and publish novels in various genres, delighting readers with her unique storytelling style and diverse range of characters. Her work has been celebrated for its wit, humor, and intelligence, and she remains a beloved figure in the literary world.