Margaret Millar was a highly acclaimed American-Canadian author, renowned for her suspenseful and mysterious writings. She was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America, which is a testament to her significant contributions to the genre. Millar was born as Margaret Ellis Sturm in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and received her education in Toronto before moving to the United States after her marriage to Kenneth Millar, who was also a well-known author.
Millar was a prolific writer of mystery, suspense, and thriller books and had written three mystery series, with none of them having more than three books. She was particularly known for her excellent characterization and her mature look at the psychology of her characters. Millar's novels are distinguished by their sophisticated characters and their exploration of complex issues such as insecurity, loneliness, class, failed ambitions, paranoia, and existential isolation. She had a unique ability to describe the interior lives of unusual people and societal misfits with great detail, often giving readers a chilling insight into the feeling of losing touch with reality and turning into madness.
Millar's books are also known for their expressive descriptions, admirable economy, and surprise endings. Even if the reader can predict the outcome, the books remain interesting due to their rich psychological character details and subtleties of human interaction. Millar was a pioneer in writing intelligently about the psychology of women and had a mature and matter-of-fact view of class distinctions, sexual freedom, and moral codes.
Although most of Millar's books are out of print in America, some of her works have been re-issued as classics. In 1956, she won the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Novel award for "Beast in View," and in 1965, she was awarded the Woman of the Year Award by the Los Angeles Times. In 1983, she received the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America, recognizing her lifetime achievements.