Mary Daheim is a successful American author, well-known for her cozy mystery and historical romance novels. She was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up with a love for storytelling. Daheim's passion for writing began in her childhood, and she started creating her own fiction at the age of ten. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Communications, and she made a significant contribution to her university's campus newspaper, The Daily, as its first female editor.
Before becoming a novelist, Daheim gained experience in journalism and public relations. Her career in journalism included working for various newspapers, where she developed her writing and editing skills. In her spare time, she began writing novels, eventually leading to her first historical romance publication in 1983. Daheim's career took a significant turn when she decided to focus on her original love, mysteries, and in 1991 she released the first books of what would become popular series: Just Desserts and Fowl Prey, the inaugural novels in the Bed-and-Breakfast series. A year later, the Emma Lord series made its debut with The Alpine Advocate. In addition to her novels, Daheim has contributed short stories to mystery anthologies and magazines.
Mary Daheim has enjoyed a successful writing career, earning nominations for the Agatha Award and winning the 2000 Pacific Northwest Writers Association Achievement Award. Her mysteries regularly appear on the USA Today bestseller list and the New York Times top thirty. She is married to professor emeritus and playwright David Daheim, and they share their home in Seattle with their three grown daughters. Daheim's life experiences, career achievements, and commitment to her craft have solidified her position as a prominent and respected author in the genre of cozy mystery novels.