About Me

I’ve worked in the corporate world, the television news industry, baby-sat grandkids, and owned a small town newspaper. There are a lot of similarities between the corporate world and babysitting toddlers.

I started writing when I was old enough to hold a pencil and started my first newspaper when I was in elementary school. Typed out on a manual typewriter using carbon paper to duplicate it, I reported on neighborhood happenings.

Now I write novels and the occasional snarky comment on social media. I’m the current President of SEMWA, the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and the Authors Guild. I’m a Shamus Award finalist, A Grace Award Winner for Excellence in Faith-based Fiction, and the winner of the PWA’s Best 1st PI Novel — the first woman in a decade to win the award.

Born, raised, and living in the heart of North Carolina, I share my little house on the farm with Finn, a rescued border collie, and a sassy little calico named Jingles. I’m slightly obsessed with all things Appalachia and North Carolina’s southern Outer Banks. 

Want to connect? Drop me a line with the form below. Want to subscribe to my newsletter? Click over to the last page and you’ll find the subscription form.

38 Responses to About Me

  1. Michelle Thompson says:

    I loved the book “Tell Me No Lies” and could not put it down. I read it in one sitting. I hope “Tell Me No Secrets” will be out soon. Thank you for the hours of enjoyable reading.

  2. Angela says:

    Just finished Wink Of An Eye
    loved it. I really enjoyed this book
    it was the first of your books I read
    and I know I will continue to read
    more .
    Hoping to read more about
    Gypsy and Tatum.
    when will the sequel be out and what will the title be

  3. Candice says:

    Just finished “Wink of an Eye”, great book! Keeps you on your feet and is very detailed. A great mix of humor, mystery, love, and family. 5 stars!

  4. Linda Stone says:

    I just finished Wink of an Eye and I throughly enjoyed it. Hopefully I can read more of your books soon.

  5. Randy Wood says:

    Hey Lynn it’s great to see that you are now writing best selling books. .I’m going to check around and see if I can find them in our local bookstores…we attended high school together I’m not sure if you remember me but I know you knew my sister Lynn…and I just wanted to say that I used to read the Pleasant Garden Times…I know that writing books is a big step up but it looks like by the awards you have won proves that it wasn’t for you….I seen where you are going to have a writing case unless I missed it…if I did I would really like to know if you are planning on doing another one in the future…I have so many stories in my head but I just don’t know how to put them down on paper…well I hope you more success in the future….Randy Wood

  6. Teresa West says:

    I just finished reading Unholy Covenant. Could not put it down and read it straight through. Grew up in Pleasant Garden. Very familiar with the places and knew several of the people mentioned in your book. A fascinating story!

    • Lynn says:

      Thank you, Teresa. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Please consider leaving a review next time you visit Amazon!

  7. Larry says:

    Wink was a “readers choice” @ our library. I picked it up and agreed thoroughly. Always appreciative of a good, suspenseful read.

  8. Phil & Sandy Herbst says:

    My wife a I just read Wink of an Eye it is a great novel.Great characters, story and a great read. I hope you will continue to have Gypsy as a person in a new book. Continued success with your ability to create a book that keeps us on the edge of the seat.

  9. Bev Bartos says:

    I am a big reader….especially mysteries, and happened to get your book at the library….I thought I had read all the mysteries that they had. I liked the cover and the title, but had not read anything of yours. I really loved the story and your writing style.
    I never got bored which happens a lot….too many words or too many names. I’ll look forward to reading another.
    Beverly

  10. IAN says:

    Jut saw the UNHOLY COVENANT story on Suburban Secrets on TRU-TV, very sad indeed, but at least the family and friends have closure!

    IAN – ENGLAND.

    • IAN says:

      I am also a member of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, so I love solving problems and have a nose for sniffing out suspicion.

  11. Linda Autry says:

    I just finished Wink of an Eye & thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to submit it to our local Mystery Book Club that I attend at one of the library branches here in Durham.

    Also, I hope you’ll let Gypsy Moran return in MANY future books. I especially would like to see him pursue finding the 8 missing girls (8 separate books? a few future books w/another mystery running also? Please set him up as a Texas P.I. & keep him alive!

    Thanks.

  12. Pat Kane says:

    Enjoyed “Wink of an Eye” Do you plan on any more novels using that person?

    Thanks,
    Pat Kane

  13. Vickie Middleton says:

    I really enjoy reading your books. I get so caught up in the story, I don’t want to put the book down . I can’t wait for the next book.

  14. Ed leaf says:

    Is there going to be a sequel to “wink of an eye” there seems to be ample possible scenarios to explore

    Ed

  15. Jerry says:

    I have just read “wink of an Eye” and wanted to say thank you. Without any idea of what the book was about, I sat down and started reading, was quite happy to find myself on familiar ground in Texas. I live in Burlington Ontario Canada, and have often visited in Odessa Texas, what a great story!!!! thanks again for a great read, I am sending this note from a computer at the Burlington Central library, where I will go and look for your other titles.. did I say thank you?

  16. Carla says:

    Your book was mentioned in our local paper as the town of Wink is not far from us. I just finished “Wink of an Eye” and would also like to see a series written. Thanks!

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  18. Michelle says:

    Lynn, you are a gifted writer. I just finished Wink of an Eye and would love to read a series with these characters. Great job with keeping the readers engaged.

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  20. Jan Clark says:

    I just read in a wink of an eye. It’s really a great book! I think it would make a great series or trilogy. I know I would like to read more about these characters.
    Thank you.

  21. Hi,
    I am the Associate Director at Alamance County Public Libraries. I am planning our first Local Author Fair on Saturday, March 21st at May Memorial Public Library from 11-2 p.m. I realize that you are much more well known than most of the authors attending, but one of my book club ladies read your book and loved it. We’d love to have you attend if you are able. I’m sure you are really busy, but please let me know if you’re interested :). Thanks for your time!

  22. Marty Odell Middleton says:

    I had no idea you had written the other books, too. I will definitely be bookstore shopping. I am so happy for you and your success. I am very proud to know you and have you as my friend. Congratulations and keep em coming.

  23. Carol Winship says:

    Hi Lynn!
    I have to be honest and say from the start that I hadnt heard of you before so consequentally ive not read any of your books. Sorry! :$
    This evening however I was watching the tru tv channel and saw you on a tv programme called Suburban Secrets. Love it!
    I googled you and discovered all of the books you’ve written, now ive discovered you I shall be reading them. 🙂
    Best wishes

  24. Tom says:

    Hi, Lynn. Enjoyed your PI’s tale, and was inspired by your (his) optimistic POV. Good stuff and only the tiniest of tiny quibbles: We meet Mr. Johnnie Walker on page 78, but I can only find Mr. Jim Beam earlier. JW does find his way in a little later. As I say, it just sent me on a little chase, trying to figure who was the real cell-killer. lol

    In any case, congratulations on your success, and I’ll look for more in the future.

    P.S. Jasper’s a good dog

    • Lynn says:

      Tom – thanks so much for the comments LOL. Actually, given the price of the hard stuff and considering that was pro bono case, he’d best stick with the good ol’ beer! Of course that would be Lone Star, nothing else 🙂

  25. Beth SHeffield says:

    Lynn, would you like to come do a program at Central library in February/ March? Beth Sheffield

  26. Jay Carpender says:

    Lynn Chandler Willis: did you ever live in Cheyenne, WY?

  27. Tish says:

    Congratulations, Lynn. We met at WPA. Know what an accomplishment your award was. Sorry you could not attend.
    Best,
    t