Jeremiah Healy

Today is a birthday for Jeremiah Healy, author of the well-respected John Francis Cuddy P.I. series. Not only did the series span thirteen books and fifteen years, but each book had a topical premise and detailed execution. Like many authors, Healy drew on life experience, his service as a military policeman and his education in law to fuel his protagonist and the books.

In recent years, Healy has turned to legal thrillers: THE STALKING OF SHEILAH QUINN under his own name and the Mairead O'Clare series under the pseudonym Terry Devane. A past president of the Private Eye Writers of America, Healy's short stories have appeared in many anthologies and collections.

I e-mailed Healy some years ago after reading the Cuddy book YESTERDAY'S NEWS. I mentioned I was a writer and he graciously sent me an information packet on how to break into the mystery genre.

Healy was American Guest of Honor at the 2004 Bouchercon. In a press release prior to the conference, he discussed his successful battle with prostate cancer and includes an informative essay on his website.

While Parker and Lehane may have more name recognition, Healy's is the example I want to follow. He's never failed to do the research and to work that research seamlessly into lively characters and lucid prose. He's survived adversity with courage and good humor.

Happy birthday, Jerry.