Sarah Andrews is a highly acclaimed American author and geologist, best known for her Em Hansen series of mystery novels. Drawing from her own experiences as a geologist, Andrews has created a unique niche for herself by combining detective work and science in her books. Her protagonist, Em Hansen, is a straight-talking and clear-thinking forensic geologist, and the series is set in the Rocky Mountains region.
Andrews has received critical acclaim for her work, including the Writers and Artists grant from the NSF in 2005. This grant allowed her to conduct research in Antarctica for her 11th book, which features a fictional geologist named Valena Walker. Andrews has also won numerous other awards for her writing, including the President's Medal and the Journalism Award from the Petroleum Geologists Association of America.
Raised on the American East Coast, Andrews developed a passion for exploring the outdoors at a young age. She spent her childhood sailing with her father and wandering in the fields and woods during family summer holidays in Maine. Andrews later attended Colorado College, where she discovered her love for storytelling in a creative writing class. It was her aunt who inspired her to take up geology, a course that proved to be a perfect fit for Andrews as she found herself in the company of like-minded individuals.
In addition to her writing, Andrews is an active member of her community in northern California, where she currently resides. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and son, engaging in activities such as flying, skiing, and sailing. However, it is her unique blend of geology and mystery in her novels that has earned Andrews a special place in the literary world.