Marcia Talley is a celebrated American mystery author, best known for her Hannah Ives Mysteries series. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1943 to Thomas Chester, a career US Marine Corps officer, and Elizabeth Tuckerman, a registered nurse. Talley's writing career began after she completed her master's degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland. Before becoming a full-time writer in 2000, she worked as a librarian for various institutions, including the Bryn Mawr School, St. John’s College, the US Naval Academy Library, and the American Bankers Association.
Talley's works have won numerous awards, including the Agatha and Anthony awards. She is best known for her Hannah Ives Mysteries series, which features a breast cancer survivor as the main character. The series includes books such as "Dead Man Dancing," "Done Gone," and "Tangled Roots." In addition to her solo works, Talley has also collaborated with other authors on projects such as "Naked Came the Phoenix" and "I’d Kill For That." Her short stories have been featured in more than a dozen collections, including "With Love, Marjorie Ann" and "Safety First," both Agatha award nominees.
Talley is an active member of various writing organizations, including Sisters in Crime and the Mystery Writers of America. She has served in leadership positions for these organizations, including as the national President of Sisters in Crime, Inc., and as a board member for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. Talley divides her time between Annapolis, Maryland, and an antique sailboat in the Bahamas.