Picture a New York-born storyteller who traded Staten Island’s streets for New Orleans’ sultry chaos, weaving gritty crime tales that pulse with life—meet Bill Loehfelm! This acclaimed author of the Maureen Coughlin series has carved a niche in contemporary crime fiction, blending raw authenticity with vivid prose that hooks readers from page one.
Loehfelm’s knack for crafting complex characters and moody settings has earned him accolades like the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and Strand Magazine’s Novel of the Year. His stories, steeped in the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, capture the city’s soul while exploring the messy, human side of justice.
The Making of Bill Loehfelm
Born on October 15, 1969, in Brooklyn’s Park Slope, Bill Loehfelm grew up on Staten Island, where urban grit shaped his early worldview. After studying English and communications in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he returned to Staten Island to teach high school English. In 1997, he relocated to New Orleans, a city that would become his muse. From tending bar in the French Quarter to managing an antique shop, Loehfelm’s eclectic career—coupled with his role as a drummer in a rock band—infused his writing with a street-smart edge. His 2005 MA from the University of New Orleans honed his craft, setting the stage for his literary breakout.
Bill Loehfelm’s Unforgettable Stories
Loehfelm’s debut, Fresh Kills (2008), a Staten Island-set psychological drama, won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for its raw exploration of family and loss. His follow-up, Bloodroot (2009), amped up the thrills, diving into a dark tale of brothers entangled in a criminal underworld. Both novels showcased Loehfelm’s knack for emotionally charged narratives.
The Maureen Coughlin series, starting with The Devil She Knows (2011), marked a shift to New Orleans and introduced a fierce, flawed heroine—a former cocktail waitress turned rookie cop. Titles like The Devil in Her Way (2013), which snagged Strand Magazine’s Novel of the Year, and Doing the Devil’s Work (2015) delve into Coughlin’s battles with corruption and crime in a city teeming with tension. The Devil’s Muse (2017), set during a chaotic Mardi Gras, captures Loehfelm’s vivid prose and knack for grounding high-stakes drama in human struggles. His style—gritty yet lyrical, with sharp dialogue and layered characters—makes New Orleans a co-star in every tale.
Why Bill Loehfelm Matters
Loehfelm’s work resonates because it’s real. His diverse experiences—from bar stools to classrooms—lend authenticity to his portrayal of working-class heroes like Maureen Coughlin, who navigate moral gray zones with tenacity. Critics, including Megan Abbott, praise Coughlin as a compelling, relatable figure in crime fiction, while Loehfelm’s nuanced take on New Orleans’ post-Katrina landscape adds cultural depth. His contributions to anthologies like Staten Island Noir and Year Zero further cement his voice in the genre, making him a must-read for fans of atmospheric thrillers.
About Bill Loehfelm
- Born: October 15, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York
- Key Works: Fresh Kills, Bloodroot, Maureen Coughlin series
- Awards: Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (2008), Strand Magazine Novel of the Year (2013)
- Fun Fact: He plays drums in a rock band and lives with his writer-yoga instructor wife, AC Lambeth, and their dog.
Ready to dive into a world of gritty crime and vibrant settings? Snag The Devil She Knows and let Bill Loehfelm’s New Orleans thrill you!