Eleanor Taylor Bland was an accomplished American author, best known for her crime fiction novels. Bland was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1944 and went on to earn her Bachelor's degree in accounting and education from Southern Illinois University. She worked for many years at Abbott Laboratories before turning her attention to writing.
Bland's crime fiction novels all featured her character Marti MacAlister, a police detective from Lincoln Prairie, Illinois. The setting of Lincoln Prairie was based on Waukegan, Illinois, where Bland lived for many years. Bland's decision to write about a police detective was a deliberate one, as she wanted to explore issues of crime and justice from the perspective of a black woman in a predominantly white profession.
Bland's writing was praised for its ability to tackle complex social issues while still delivering a gripping and entertaining story. She was known for her ability to create well-rounded and believable characters, and for her attention to detail when it came to police procedures and the workings of the criminal justice system. Her work was also notable for its exploration of race and gender, and for her commitment to promoting diversity in the crime fiction genre.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer and being given two years to live, Bland continued to write and publish novels for nearly 40 more years. She passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of compelling crime fiction and a lasting impact on the genre. Bland's work continues to be celebrated for its unique perspective and its contribution to the ongoing conversation about race, gender, and justice in America.