Maria DiRico is a pseudonym for Ellen Byron, an acclaimed American author known for her cozy mystery novels. Born and raised in Queens and Westchester County, New York, DiRico has a rich cultural background, being Italian-American on her mother's side and having a Jewish mobster grandfather on her father's side, whose fate remains unknown. This unique heritage has likely influenced her writing, providing intriguing cultural insights and complex character dynamics in her novels.
DiRico writes under her own name as well as using the pseudonym Ellen Byron. She has gained fame for her Cajun Country Mystery series, and more recently, she has started the Catering Hall Mystery series under the name Maria DiRico. Her books have achieved remarkable success both nationally and internationally, with several of them becoming bestsellers. Accolades for her work include the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel for "Mardi Gras Murder" and nominations for the Left Coast Crime conference's Best Humorous Mystery prize. Her other novels, such as "Body on the Bayou" and "Cajun Christmas Killing," have also been recognized with Agatha Award nominations and Lefty Award wins.
In addition to her mystery series, DiRico, under her real name Ellen Byron, is an award-winning playwright and has written for various TV comedies, including "WINGS," "JUST SHOOT ME," and "FAIRLY ODD PARENTS." She has also contributed over two hundred articles to national magazines. One notable experience that DiRico often mentions is her time working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart, which she considers an impressive credit and a valuable learning experience. She enjoys translating her insights from Martha Stewart into recipes for her books, further enriching her storytelling.