Order of Charlotte MacLeod Books

Charlotte MacLeod (1922-2005) was a beloved mystery writer who brought warmth and humor to the genre through her memorable characters and engaging storytelling. Born in New Brunswick, Canada, MacLeod relocated to the United States with her family during her childhood and later studied at the Art Institute of Boston. Before establishing herself as a full-time novelist, she honed her writing skills working as a copywriter.

MacLeod's mystery novels are celebrated for their lighthearted tone and delightfully quirky characters that readers can't help but love. She created several popular series, including the Professor Peter Shandy mysteries and the Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn series. Writing under the pseudonym Alisa Craig, she also penned the Madoc Rhys series and the Grub-And-Stakers mysteries, showcasing her versatility as a storyteller.

Her writing career spanned over three decades, launching in 1964 with Mystery of the White Knight and concluding with The Balloon Man in 1998, the final installment in her Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn series. Her last published work was the short story collection It Was an Awful Shame and Other Stories, which expanded upon her earlier Grab Bag collection with new material. MacLeod also ventured into biography with Had She But Known, exploring the life of Mary Roberts Rinehart, America's pioneering bestselling suspense novelist, covering Rinehart's remarkable career as a WWI correspondent and her fascination with Native American culture. Additionally, she co-edited Mistletoe Mysteries with Brian M. Thomsen.

MacLeod passed away in 2005 after battling Alzheimer's disease, leaving behind a rich legacy of cozy mysteries that continue to delight readers with their charm and wit.