Clea Simon is an American author known for her psychological suspense novels and cosy mystery series, often featuring cats. She has written over 30 mysteries, including World Enough (2017) and Hold Me Down (2021), both of which were named "Must Reads" by the Massachusetts Center for the Book.
Clea Simon was born in East Meadow, Long Island. She grew up in a family deeply affected by mental illness, a subject she explored in her first non-fiction book, Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings (1997).
"Writing about my family allowed me to process so much of what we went through," Simon said.
After graduating from Harvard in 1983 with a degree in English and American literature, she began her career as a freelance journalist. Her writing appeared in publications ranging from Salon to Harvard Magazine, and she later became a staff writer at The Boston Globe.
Simon's transition from non-fiction to fiction began with her debut mystery, Mew is for Murder (2005), which launched the Theda Krakow series. This feline-centric cosy was inspired by Simon's love of cats and frequent visits to a Boston mystery bookstore. She followed up with several more series, including the Dulcie Schwartz mysteries, the Pru Marlowe 'pet noir' series, and the Witch Cats of Cambridge paranormal cosies, which began with A Spell of Murder (2018).
Simon has also delved into darker themes with her Blackie and Care series, which began with The Ninth Life (2016). Her psychological suspense novels have earned her critical acclaim. World Enough explored the Boston music scene, while Hold Me Down touched on themes of trauma and survival in the rock world. The Boston Globe praised Hold Me Down for its "electric prose" and exploration of personal and professional dysfunction.
Clea Simon continues to write prolifically, with her latest mystery, Bad Boy Beat (2023). She lives in Somerville with her husband, Jon Garelick, who is also a writer.
Photo credit: www.cleasimon.com
