Perri O'Shaughnessy is the pen name of the American writing team consisting of sisters Mary and Pamela O'Shaughnessy. Before they began collaborating on novels, Pamela had a career as a trial lawyer, while Mary worked as an editor and wrote for multimedia projects. The two sisters adopted the pseudonym as a tribute to a forgotten writer who struggled to find clients during his career. Moreover, the name also represents a fusion of their first names, Pamela and Mary. O'Shaughnessy is their paternal family name, and they hail from North Carolina, United States.
The O'Shaughnessy sisters are best known for their Nina Reilly legal thriller series, which has garnered them a significant following and critical acclaim. They chose the name Perri O'Shaughnessy as a tribute to Perry Mason, the famous fictional defense lawyer created by Erle Stanley Gardner, who never lost a case. The sisters' admiration for Mason's character is evident in their writing, as they create compelling legal thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Apart from the Nina Reilly series, the writing duo has also published a collection of short crime fiction titled "Sinister Shorts."
In addition to their successful writing careers, the O'Shaughnessy sisters have impressive academic backgrounds. Mary attended UC Santa Barbara and studied English literature, while Pam graduated from Harvard Law School. After practicing law for 16 years, Pam decided to team up with Mary, and they began their writing collaboration. Their diverse backgrounds in law, literature, and editing have enabled them to create intricate and engaging plots that resonate with readers.
The O'Shaughnessy sisters' writing style has been praised for its vivid descriptions, intricate plotting, and well-developed characters. They have published thirteen national and New York Times bestselling legal suspense novels in the Nina Reilly series, as well as the stand-alone suspense novel "Keeper of the Keys." The sisters' ability to create suspenseful and engaging narratives has earned them a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. Pamela currently resides in Hawaii, while Mary lives in California, but they continue to collaborate on their writing projects.