Picture a storyteller who turned her island home into a playground for mysteries—meet Cynthia Riggs! Born on Martha’s Vineyard, this late-blooming author crafted the beloved Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series, starring the sharp-witted, 92-year-old sleuth Victoria Trumbull. With a life as colorful as her novels, Riggs blends local lore, vivid settings, and a knack for suspense into cozy mysteries that charm readers worldwide.
At 93, Riggs is no ordinary writer. Her tales draw from a life packed with adventure—think Olympic fencing qualifications, Antarctic expeditions, and sailing the Atlantic twice. Her stories aren’t just whodunits; they’re love letters to Martha’s Vineyard, where she’s an eighth-generation resident. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore!
The Making of Cynthia Riggs
Born June 15, 1931, on Martha’s Vineyard, Cynthia Riggs grew up steeped in creativity, the daughter of poet Dionis Coffin Riggs and printmaker Sidney Noyes Riggs. With a geology degree from Antioch College, she carved a wildly varied path: writing for National Geographic, running a ferry company, and even rigging ships. Her writing career kicked off late, at 68, when she earned an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College. Inspired by her island roots and a love for storytelling, Riggs found her calling penning mysteries that capture Martha’s Vineyard’s magic.
Riggs’s life wasn’t all smooth sailing. After raising five children in Washington, D.C., she returned to her family homestead in the 1980s, transforming it into The Cleaveland House, a bed-and-breakfast for poets and writers. This vibrant hub became a backdrop for her creative leap into fiction, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream.
Cynthia Riggs’s Unforgettable Stories
Riggs’s Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series, starting with Deadly Nightshade (2001), introduces Victoria Trumbull, a feisty nonagenarian poet and deputy police officer. In this debut, Victoria uncovers a murder while waiting on a dock, using her deep island knowledge to crack the case. The book’s vivid descriptions and eccentric characters set the tone for the series, blending cozy mystery with sharp wit.
The Cranefly Orchid Murders (2002) sees Victoria, a naturalist, scouring a 200-acre property for a rare plant to halt a land deal, stumbling into a murder plot. Riggs’s love for nature shines, with her “prodigious fund of natural lore” earning praise from Publishers Weekly. The Paperwhite Narcissus (2005) has Victoria tackling mysterious obituaries tied to murders, showcasing Riggs’s knack for intricate plots. Her latest, Widow’s Wreath (2018), weaves a tangled web of greed and murder at a wedding, proving her storytelling stays fresh.
Riggs’s style is distinctly cozy yet sharp, with humor, wordplay, and a cast of quirky islanders. Her settings—Martha’s Vineyard’s cliffs, harbors, and forests—are characters themselves, painted with a native’s eye. Victoria, inspired partly by Riggs’s mother, embodies resilience and intelligence, making her a standout in mystery fiction.
Why Cynthia Riggs Matters
Cynthia Riggs’s impact lies in her ability to make Martha’s Vineyard a living, breathing part of her mysteries. Her novels preserve island culture, from its history to its quirky community, earning her a loyal following among cozy mystery fans. By starting her writing career in her late 60s, she’s a beacon for late bloomers, showing age is no barrier to creativity. Her work, praised for its “warmth and humor” by Publishers Weekly, offers readers an escape into a world where wit and wisdom solve crimes.
Riggs’s legacy extends beyond books. Her bed-and-breakfast fosters creativity, and her writing groups nurture new talent. Her adventurous spirit—sailing, fencing, exploring Antarctica—inspires readers to embrace life fully. For mystery lovers, she’s a hidden gem whose stories resonate with heart and humor.
- Born: June 15, 1931, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
- Key Works: Deadly Nightshade, The Cranefly Orchid Murders, Widow’s Wreath
- Fun Fact: Riggs held a U.S. Coast Guard Masters License for 20 years!
Snag Deadly Nightshade and dive into Cynthia Riggs’s cozy, captivating mysteries! Her island adventures await—perfect for a cozy night in.