Minette Walters is a highly acclaimed British author, best known for her crime fiction and mystery novels. She was born on September 26, 1949, in Bishop's Stortford to Captain Samuel Jebb and his wife Colleen. Minette's early childhood was marked by frequent moves from one army base to another, but her life took a significant turn when her father passed away due to kidney failure in 1960. This event led to her receiving a full scholarship to attend Godolphin boarding school in Salisbury at the age of twelve.
The years at Godolphin were formative for Minette, shaping her academic outlook and instilling in her a strong sense of independence. The school's emphasis on academic achievement and its encouragement of fiercely independent thinking had a profound impact on her. As head girl, she honed her public speaking skills, a talent that would serve her well in her future career as a writer and public figure.
Minette Walters attended Trevelyan College, University of Durham, where she graduated with a BA in French in 1971. Her writing career began in 1987, and she published her first novel, "The Ice House," in 1992. This was followed by "The Sculptress" in 1993, which won the prestigious Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1994. Minette's novels have been published in 35 countries and have won numerous awards, including the CWA John Creasey Award, Gold Dagger, Macavity Award, and Coventry Inspiration Book Award. Several of her novels have been adapted for television by the BBC, including "The Sculptress," "The Ice House," "The Scold's Bridle," "The Echo," and "The Dark Room."