Sarah Booth Delaney

Carolyn Haines is an American author known for her mystery novels set in the Mississippi Delta region. She was born in 1953 in Gulfport, Mississippi, and later earned a degree in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. Haines began writing mysteries in the 1980s, and her first book, "Death of a Double Cross," introduced the recurring protagonist private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney. This series has become a favorite among mystery readers, with over 20 books published to date. Haines has also written a second mystery series featuring private detective Pluto Pollitt, as well as several stand-alone novels. Haines has received numerous awards for her writing, including the Agatha Award, the Lefty Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Her books have been translated into several languages, and she has been widely praised for her nuanced characterization and vivid depictions of the Deep South. She continues to write and reside in Mississippi, where she draws inspiration from the local culture and landscape.