Nancy Pickard

Nancy Pickard is an American crime novelist born in 1945 who has earned significant recognition in the mystery genre. She is the only author to win all four major mystery writing awards - the Macavity, Agatha, Anthony, and Shamus Awards. Beginning her writing career at age 35 after earning a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Pickard has authored numerous successful mystery series. Her works include the Jenny Cain mysteries, the Marie Lightfoot series, and the completion of Virginia Rich's culinary mystery series following Rich's death. The Virgin of Small Plains (2006) and The Scent of Rain and Lightning (2010) represent some of her most acclaimed standalone novels, both set in her native Kansas. Pickard has also served on the board of directors of the Mystery Writers of America and regularly participates in mystery writing conventions. Her expertise and contributions to the genre have made her a respected figure in the mystery writing community. Pickard's work often explores themes of small-town life and complex human relationships while maintaining the suspense and intrigue essential to the mystery genre.

Readers consistently praise Pickard's character development and her ability to capture small-town dynamics in her mysteries. The Virgin of Small Plains and The Scent of Rain and Lightning receive particular attention for their atmospheric Kansas settings. What readers liked: - Complex, believable characters - Detailed sense of place - Plot twists that feel earned rather than forced - Balance of mystery elements with deeper themes - Strong female protagonists What readers disliked: - Some find the pacing too slow, especially in series entries - Multiple timeline structures confuse some readers - Romance subplots feel unnecessary to mystery fans - Later Jenny Cain books seen as formulaic Ratings overview: - Goodreads: The Virgin of Small Plains (3.8/5 from 3,800+ ratings) - Amazon: The Scent of Rain and Lightning (4.3/5 from 300+ reviews) - Individual series books average 3.5-4.0 on Goodreads One reader noted: "She writes mysteries that are really about people and relationships, with the crime as a catalyst rather than the sole focus."

Naked Came the Phoenix - A collaborative serial novel where thirteen female mystery authors each wrote one chapter, with Pickard contributing alongside other notable writers in a story about murder at an exclusive spa.

Say No to Murder - A Jenny Cain mystery novel following a philanthropic foundation director who investigates suspicious deaths connected to a women's shelter.

The Virgin of Small Plains - A Kansas murder mystery spanning seventeen years, centered around the death of an unidentified young woman and its impact on three teenagers who discovered her body.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning - A standalone novel set in Kansas about a woman who learns that the man convicted of killing her parents is being released from prison.

Ring of Truth - A Jenny Cain mystery where the protagonist investigates a murder connected to a valuable ring and local legends.

Seven Steps on the Writer's Path - A non-fiction collaboration with Lynn Lott examining the creative process through seven distinct emotional stages.

The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murder - Part of the culinary mystery series Pickard completed after Virginia Rich's death, following a ranch owner who solves murders while cooking.

Bum Steer - A Jenny Cain mystery involving suspicious deaths at a cattle ranch and conflicts over land development.

Sue Grafton writes detailed mysteries featuring female private investigator Kinsey Millhone in a small California town, similar to Pickard's intimate community settings. Her cases involve personal relationships and family secrets that parallel Pickard's exploration of small-town dynamics.

Julia Spencer-Fleming creates mystery novels set in a small New York town featuring Clare Fergusson, an Episcopal priest who solves crimes. Her books blend crime solving with exploration of community relationships and moral dilemmas in ways that mirror Pickard's approach.

William Kent Krueger writes mysteries set in rural Minnesota that examine how crimes affect tight-knit communities. His Cork O'Connor series deals with similar themes of family bonds and small-town secrets that Pickard explores in her Kansas-based novels.

Margaret Maron sets her Deborah Knott mysteries in rural North Carolina, focusing on a female judge who investigates crimes. Her writing combines criminal investigations with deep examination of local culture and family relationships, matching Pickard's style of community-based mysteries.

Dana Stabenow creates mysteries featuring Kate Shugak in Alaska's isolated communities, emphasizing local culture and relationships. Her books share Pickard's focus on how crimes impact small communities and the complex connections between residents.