Patricia Sprinkle, also known as Patricia Houck Sprinkle, is a prolific author who has written in various genres, including mystery, fiction, and non-fiction. She was born in the South and has spent most of her life there, which is reflected in her writing. Sprinkle's mysteries are known for their strong plot and character development, as well as their humor. She has written twenty mysteries, four novels, and five non-fiction books.
Sprinkle's writing journey began when she met and married her husband, Bob. He encouraged her to write a mystery to pay for all the ones she bought. It took her thirteen years to complete her first mystery, Murder at Markham, as she prioritized writing "important" things first. However, she eventually realized that any writing which gives her pleasure is important, whether fiction or non-fiction. Sprinkle considers writing to be an obsession and her favorite vacation is to go to a place where she can write without interruptions.
Sprinkle's mysteries are set in the contemporary South and feature strong women dealing with various issues. Her fiction combines her love for the South, mild winters, sweet tea, Coca-Cola, warm beaches, and humor. She has also written non-fiction books that serve as practical guides to reducing stress for women and teaching practical household skills to children. Sprinkle enjoys spending time with her readers at conferences, book clubs, and signing events.