Gayle Lynds

Gayle Lynds is an acclaimed American author, born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in the Midwest. She is renowned for her expertise in spy thriller novels, having earned a journalism degree from the University of Iowa. Lynds' career as a writer began with the creation of pulp fiction novels under various pseudonyms and expanded to include co-writing the Covert-One series with the renowned Robert Ludlum.

Lynds' writing career has been marked by significant achievements, including the production of bestselling novels in the male-dominated genre of spy thrillers and spy fiction. Her work has earned her recognition as a New York Times bestseller and the title "reigning queen of espionage fiction" from Library Journal. In addition, the London Observer has praised her as a "kick-ass thriller writer."

Before her success as a novelist, Lynds worked as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, where her investigative pieces led to changes in state legislation. She later became an editor with top-secret security clearance at a private think tank that conducted government work. This experience exposed her to a diverse range of ideas and individuals, inspiring her to write about her experiences. Lynds' writing combines her love of mainstream literature with her experiences in the male pulp novel genre, resulting in a unique and captivating style.

Throughout her career, Lynds has received numerous accolades for her work. Her novel Masquerade is listed among the top ten spy novels of all time by Publishers Weekly, while The Last Spymaster won Best Novel from both the American Authors Association and the Military Writers Society of America. The Book of Spies was a finalist for the Nero and Audie awards, and Mosaic was named RT Thriller of the Year. Mesmerized was a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist, and with Robert Ludlum, she created the Covert-One series, one of which, The Hades Factor, was a CBS miniseries.

Lynds is a member of the Association for Intelligence Operatives and cofounder (with David Morrell) and former copresident of International Thriller Writers, Inc. She is also a member of the Association of Former Intelligence officers. Lynds currently resides in Maine with her husband, John C. Sheldon, and their geriatric cat. She is an active blogger and maintains a website where readers can connect with her and learn more about her work.