Picture a Chicago socialite turned sleuth, weaving tales of high society with a mischievous grin—meet Catherine O’Connell! This American author, with a knack for crafting clever mysteries, has captivated readers with her High Society Mystery series. Splitting her time between the windy streets of Chicago, the chic cafés of Paris, and the snowy slopes of Aspen, O’Connell brings a worldly flair to her stories, blending glamour with gritty detective work.
From her eclectic career as a sommelier, bar manager, and wine sales executive, O’Connell draws a rich tapestry of experiences that infuse her novels with authenticity and wit. Her mysteries, starring the charmingly flawed Pauline Cook, invite readers into a world where champagne flows, secrets simmer, and amateur sleuths save the day.
The Making of Catherine O’Connell
Born in Chicago and raised in Northbrook, Catherine O’Connell’s journey to authorship was anything but ordinary. A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Journalism, she dabbled in an array of jobs—hotel maid, floor runner at the Chicago Board of Trade, and even nightclub tour operator with her venture, The Party Bus. These diverse roles gave her a front-row seat to human nature, from the glitz of high society to the grit of everyday life. In her early 30s, frustrated with a lackluster job, she sat down to write, channeling her lifelong love for storytelling into her first novel, Skins, published in 1993.
Catherine O’Connell’s Unforgettable Stories
O’Connell’s High Society Mystery series is her crowning achievement, kicking off with Well Bred and Dead (2007). The novel introduces Pauline Cook, a Chicago socialite whose knack for solving mysteries is matched only by her penchant for designer handbags. When her friend’s suicide raises suspicions, Pauline jets from Chicago to England, unraveling a web of deception with her sharp wit. The sequel, Well Read and Dead (2009), sees Pauline chasing a missing friend to Thailand, navigating corporate intrigues with her jet-set charm.
Beyond the series, O’Connell’s standalone novel, The Last Night Out (2018), is a psychological thriller set in 1980s Chicago. It follows Maggie Trueheart, who wakes from a bachelorette party to find a stranger in her bed and a friend murdered, weaving a tale of secrets and betrayal. Her Aspen Mystery series, starting with First Tracks (2019), trades ballrooms for ski slopes, featuring ski patroller Greta Westerlind uncovering dark secrets in Aspen’s glamorous resorts. O’Connell’s style—wry, sophisticated, and brimming with clever dialogue—makes her mysteries both escapist and grounded, appealing to fans of cozy yet thrilling reads.
Why Catherine O’Connell Matters
Catherine O’Connell’s impact lies in her ability to humanize the elite while crafting mysteries that resonate with universal themes—loyalty, betrayal, and the search for truth. Her novels offer a playful yet poignant look at high society, challenging stereotypes about wealth and privilege. As a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and a board member of Aspen Words, she mentors aspiring writers, fostering a vibrant literary community. Her media appearances on ABC, NBC, and WGN Radio have amplified her voice, making her a beloved figure in the mystery genre.
- Birth Year: 1955
- Key Works: Well Bred and Dead, Well Read and Dead, The Last Night Out, First Tracks
- Notable Roles: Board member of Aspen Words, member of Mystery Writers of America
Ready for a mystery that’s equal parts glamour and grit? Snag Well Bred and Dead and dive into Catherine O’Connell’s sparkling world of high society sleuthing!