Linda Barnes (born December 6, 1949) is an American mystery writer.
Linda Barnes was born and raised in Detroit, and graduated cum laude from the School of Fine and Applied Arts at Boston University. After college, Barnes became a drama teacher and director at Chelmsford and Lexington, Massachusetts schools. While teaching drama, Barnes wrote two plays, the award-winning "Wings" and "Prometheus", and went on to write highly successful mystery novels.
Linda Barnes lives near Boston with her husband and has one son.
The Perfect Ghost Carolyn Haley's book review in the New York Journal of Books noted “Don’t be surprised if Linda Barnes gets an award for The Perfect Ghost, . . .”
Kirkus wrote "Barnes puts aside her Carlotta Carlyle series (Lie Down With the Devil, 2008, etc.) for an eerie, suspenseful stand-alone that focuses more on the characters and their dark pasts than on a clever mystery."
Publishers Weekly wrote "Although the mystery is slow to build, Barnes delivers a captivating story of love, rivalry, and revenge."
1986 Anthony award for Best short story, "Lucky Penny"
1987 Edgar award for Best novel, A Trouble of Fools
1986 Shamus award for Best private eye short story, "Lucky Penny"
1988 Anthony award for Best novel, A Trouble of Fools
1988 Edgar award for Best mystery novel, A Trouble of Fools
1988 Shamus award for Best private eye novel, A Trouble of Fools
Barnes is best known for her series featuring Carlotta Carlyle, a 6'1" redheaded detective from Boston. Carlotta Carlyle is in the tradition of the hard-boiled female detectives created by Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky.
Lie Down With The Devil (2008)