Barbara D'Amato

Barbara D'Amato is an American crime fiction author known for her Chicago-based mystery series featuring journalist Cat Marsala and police detectives Suze Figueroa and Norm Bennis. She has written over 20 novels and received multiple literary awards, including the Carl Sandburg Award for Excellence in Fiction. The author's work frequently draws from her background in research and technical writing, incorporating detailed procedural elements and Chicago settings into her narratives. Her Cat Marsala series, which began with 1989's "Hardball," follows an investigative journalist solving crimes while navigating Chicago's political landscape. D'Amato served as president of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, contributing significantly to the mystery writing community. Her novels often explore themes of corruption, family dynamics, and urban crime, with particular attention to authentic police procedure and forensic detail. Beyond her fiction work, D'Amato has written extensively about true crime and authored several reference books on writing. She received her PhD from Northwestern University and has taught writing at various institutions throughout her career.

Readers appreciate D'Amato's accurate portrayal of Chicago and detailed research into police procedures. The Cat Marsala series receives praise for its strong female protagonist and authentic journalism details. Several reviews note the complex plotting and technical accuracy that stems from D'Amato's research background. What readers liked: - Realistic Chicago settings and local references - Well-researched forensic and procedural details - Strong character development, especially Cat Marsala - Fast-paced narratives that maintain tension What readers disliked: - Some find the technical details slow the pacing - Later books in series seen as formulaic by some - Occasional complaints about complex subplots Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 3.7/5 stars across all titles Amazon: 4.1/5 stars average Hard Time (Cat Marsala #6): 4.3/5 on Goodreads Help Me Please (Figueroa & Bennis #3): 3.9/5 on Goodreads "The attention to detail makes you feel like you're walking the streets of Chicago," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Sometimes gets bogged down in procedure," counters another.

The Doctor, the Murder, the Mystery (1992) A true-crime account examining the unsolved murder of Dr. John Branion, a prominent African American physician in Chicago who was convicted of killing his wife despite maintaining his innocence.

Hardball (1989) Cat Marsala investigates corruption in Chicago's political machine while covering a mayoral campaign that turns deadly.

Hard Women (1993) Journalist Cat Marsala delves into the world of women's professional hockey while investigating suspicious accidents on the ice.

Hard Tack (1991) Cat Marsala goes undercover at a commercial bakery to investigate potential product tampering and mysterious deaths.

Hard Christmas (1995) A holiday season turns dangerous when Cat Marsala investigates sabotage at a toy company while preparing for Christmas.

Help Me Please (1999) Detectives Figueroa and Bennis track a serial killer who uses personal ads to lure victims.

Good Cop, Bad Cop (1998) Suze Figueroa and Norm Bennis investigate the murder of a fellow police officer while confronting corruption within their department.

Authorized Personnel Only (2000) A series of deaths at a research facility leads detectives Figueroa and Bennis into a complex web of scientific intrigue.

Sara Paretsky Her Chicago-based V.I. Warshawski series shares similar urban landscapes and political themes with D'Amato's work. Her protagonist is also a strong female character investigating corruption in Chicago, with detailed attention to city politics and social issues.

Michael Harvey His Chicago-based Michael Kelly series features investigative work through the city's political underbelly. His background as a journalist and documentary producer informs the procedural accuracy in his crime fiction.

Eugene Izzi His crime novels are set in Chicago's working-class neighborhoods and delve into political corruption and police operations. His work demonstrates the same attention to procedural detail and urban authenticity as D'Amato's.

Eleanor Taylor Bland Her Marti MacAlister series features a female police detective working in an Illinois suburb of Chicago. Her novels share D'Amato's focus on police procedure and exploration of family dynamics in criminal investigations.

Marcus Sakey His Chicago crime novels incorporate detailed research and technical accuracy in their portrayal of criminal investigations. His work features similar themes of corruption and urban crime, with emphasis on procedural elements.