Trollope published more than 30 novels during a writing career that began in 1980. Her early works, written under the pseudonym Caroline Harvey, were historical romances, but from the mid-1980s onward, she turned to contemporary fiction, a shift that would define her reputation. Read more
Category: Obituaries
‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ Novelist Sophie Kinsella Dies Aged 55
Madeleine Wickham, known for writing the bestselling novel Confessions of a Shopaholic under her pen name Sophie Kinsella, has died aged 55. Wickham, dubbed “the queen of romantic comedy” by novelist Jojo Moyes, wrote more than 30 books for adults, children and teenagers, which have sold more than 45m copies. Read more
Fern Michaels, Prolific Author of Romance Novels, Dies at 92
Fern Michaels, a mother of five in suburban New Jersey who responded to her husband’s request to get a job by taking up writing, only to blossom into a best-selling author of more than 200 romances and thrillers, died on Nov. 12 at her home in Summerville, S.C. Read more
Daniel Woodrell, ‘Country Noir’ Novelist of ‘Winter’s Bone,’ Dies at 72
Daniel Woodrell, a novelist known for prose as rugged and elemental as the igneous rock of the Ozark Mountains, his birthplace, which he returned to just as his artistic craftsmanship peaked, died on Friday at his home in West Plains, Mo. Read more
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88
Tom Stoppard, the Czech-born English playwright who entwined erudition with imagination, verbal pyrotechnics with arch cleverness, and philosophical probing with heartache and lust in stage works that won accolades and awards on both sides of Atlantic, earning critical comparisons to Shakespeare and Shaw, has died at his home in Dorset, England. Read more
Thomas Perry Dies at 78; Writer of Popular, Unconventional Thrillers
Thomas Perry, a best-selling, critically acclaimed novelist whose 32 inventive thrillers were known for their intricate plots, unexpectedly sympathetic villains and intriguing heroes, among them a Native American woman who helps people take on new identities, died on Sept. 15 in Los Angeles. Read more
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (1942-2025)
Author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, 82, died August 31, 2025. She was a prolific author who wrote more than 80 books, most in the horror, SF, and mystery genres, and was best known for her sprawling Saint-Germain historical vampire series. Read more
Author Greg Iles Dead at 65
Legendary Mississippi author Greg Iles died Friday after a long battle with cancer. Read more
Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist With a Dark Streak, Dies at 97
A mathematician by training, he acquired a devoted following with songs that set sardonic lyrics to music that was often maddeningly cheerful. Read more
Martin Cruz Smith, Acclaimed Author of ‘Gorky Park,’ Dies at 82
Among Smith’s honors were being named a “grand master” by the Mystery Writers of America, and winning the Hammett Prize for “Havana Bay” and a Gold Dagger award for “Gorky Park.” Read more
