Richard Cass is a mystery author from Maine, who is well-known for his "Elder Darrow Mystery" series. He was born and raised in Boston, where he experienced the city's tumultuous bussing years, and attended Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in the United States. After completing his education in Boston, Cass went on to study creative writing in New Hampshire, where he earned his master's degree in creative writing from the University of New Hampshire. During his time at the university, he had the privilege of studying under esteemed authors such as Thomas Williams Jr., Ernest Hebert, and Joseph Monninger.
Cass has also had the opportunity to study with other notable authors, including Molly Gloss and Ursula K. LeGuin. He has been a contributor to several projects with the Independent Publishers of New England and the Maine Publishers and Writers Alliance. In addition to his writing, Cass has run a consulting and technical writing business, and has taught creative writing at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. He is also an active member of the Crime Writers of America Maine chapter and the Mystery Writers of America New England chapter, serving as a Member Outreach representative.
Cass's debut novel, "Solo Act," was published in 2016, and was the first book in the "Elder Darrow Boston jazz mystery" series. The novel was a finalist for the 2017 Maine Literary Awards in the Crime Fiction category. The prequel to "Solo Act," titled "In Solo Time," was published in September 2017, and went on to win the 2018 Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. The third book in the series, "Burton's Solo," was published on November 1, 2018, followed by "Last Call at the Esposito" in September, 2019. The latest book in the series, "Sweetie Bogan's Sorrow," was published on October 2, 2020. The sixth book in the series, "Mickey's Monkey," is scheduled for publication in November 2021.
Currently, Cass resides in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with his wife and their Main Coon cat, Tinker. From his home in Maine, he continues to write his fiction, drawing inspiration from his surroundings and his past experiences. He can be reached on Twitter at @DickCass or through his website, rjcassbooks.com.