Sandra Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management and publicity in Wisconsin.  She has written three mystery series for Severn House, an imprint of Canongate Books in London, including seventeen books in the Wisconsin-based Maggy Thorsen Coffeehouse Mysteries. Her newest novel, Poison and Pooches, is the first in a series set in Sandy’s adopted home of Pacific Grove, California and features dog-sitter Arial Kingston.

Nominated for both Anthony and Macavity awards, Sandy’s novels have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Laurien Berenson, David Rosenfelt, Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris.

In addition to her books, Balzo writes short stories, two of which have been published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, winning the Macavity, Derringer and Robert L. Fish awards. Those psychological thrillers, along with two original stories, are available on Kindle in The Grass is Always Greener and Other Stories.

A native of southeastern Wisconsin, Sandy now lives on the Central Coast of California with her husband and three dogs.  

Email Sandy at [email protected]