Lea Wait was an American author, known for her historical fiction and mystery novels for adults and children. She grew up in New Jersey, where her family valued reading and instilled a love for literature in her from a young age. Wait attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh, where she majored in drama and English, and later completed her graduate work in American Civilization at New York University.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Wait worked in the corporate world, including a managerial position at AT&T. However, her career took a turn when she decided to start an antique print business at the age of 30, inspired by her grandmother who had previously engaged in a similar venture. It was during this time that Wait discovered her passion for writing, and in 1998, she left the corporate world behind to focus on her writing and antique print business, living in Maine.
Wait's writing is heavily influenced by her love for history and antiques. She wrote several series, including the Antique Print Mysteries and the Mainely Needlepoint Mysteries series, set in 19th century Maine. Wait's knowledge of antiques and history is evident in her writing, and she became a popular speaker on the school, campus, and library lecture circuit. In addition to her mystery novels, Wait also wrote historical novels for children and young adults, as well as non-fiction books about writing and living in Maine.
Wait was an active member of the writing community and maintained a blog with other Maine mystery writers and novelists. She was known for her outgoing personality and enjoyed visiting historical sites and participating in fun activities like rowing boats. Wait passed away in 2019, but her legacy as a beloved and prolific author lives on.