Jill Churchill is the pseudonym of Janice Young Brooks, a successful American author of cozy mystery and historical romance novels. She is best known for her Jane Jeffry and Grace & Favor series. Churchill was born in the United States and attended the University of Kansas, where she earned her education degree. She later went on to study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After completing her education, Churchill worked as a teacher for many years and also served as a book reviewer for the Kansas City Star.
Churchill began her writing career in 1975 with the release of her first book, "Ozark Legacy," which she wrote under the pen name Amanda Singer. After the success of this book, she began writing under her real name and also collaborated with Jean Brooks-Janowiak under the pseudonym Valerie Vayle. Churchill made her debut as Jill Churchill in 1989 with the release of "Grime and Punishment," the first book in the popular Jane Jeffry series.
In addition to her successful writing career, Churchill is also a mother and grandmother, and enjoys spending her free time gardening, needlepointing, and playing gin. She is the winner of both the Agatha and Macavity awards, and was nominated for an Anthony Award for her best-selling Jane Jeffry series. Churchill currently resides in the Midwest, where she continues to write and publish popular cozy mystery and historical romance novels. She is an avid genealogist, and when she's not writing, she can often be found researching her family history. She also enjoys playing gin against the computer and is currently in a battle of supremacy with her cat Max.