Jan Burke

Jan Burke is an American author of crime fiction novels and short stories. She is known for her Irene Kelly mystery series. Burke has won numerous awards, including the Edgar Award for Best Novel, the Agatha Award for Best Short Story, and the Macavity Award. She is also a nationally recognized advocate for the improvement of forensic science in the U.S. and founded the Crime Lab Project to raise awareness and funding for forensic science labs. Burke was born in Houston, Texas, but has lived in Southern California most of her life. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in history. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a researcher and managed a manufacturing plant. Her first novel, 'Goodnight, Irene,' was sold unsolicited to Simon & Schuster. President Bill Clinton revealed he was reading 'Goodnight, Irene' shortly after taking office, providing an early boost to her career. Burke's books have appeared on bestseller lists, been published internationally, and optioned for film and television.