Picture a cozy New England town, where a Quaker midwife solves mysteries between delivering babies—meet Edith Maxwell, the Amazon bestselling and Agatha Award-nominated author who spins authentic, captivating tales. With her roots as an organic farmer, doula, and Quaker, Maxwell’s mystery series, from the Local Foods Mysteries to the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries, bloom with rich detail and intricate plots that keep readers hooked.
Now settled in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Maxwell’s diverse life infuses her stories with a unique blend of heart, history, and suspense. Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or new to her work, her novels offer a delightful escape into worlds where community, curiosity, and clever sleuthing reign supreme.
The Making of Edith Maxwell
Born a fourth-generation Californian, Edith Maxwell’s journey to mystery writing was anything but ordinary. Before penning novels, she ran a small certified-organic farm in Essex County, Massachusetts, taught childbirth classes as a doula, and immersed herself in Quaker life as a long-time member of the Society of Friends. Her varied career also included technical writing and a PhD in linguistics, but her love for storytelling took root early—she published her first paid story at age nine. This eclectic background shaped her ability to craft authentic characters and settings, from farmers to midwives, with a keen eye for detail.
Maxwell’s pivot to full-time fiction began with her passion for cozy mysteries, inspired by women authors with strong female protagonists. Her Quaker faith, organic farming experience, and doula work became the seeds for her series, each reflecting a piece of her life. Living in Amesbury, a town steeped in history, further fueled her historical mysteries, where she weaves real places and past events into her narratives.
Edith Maxwell’s Unforgettable Stories
Maxwell’s bibliography is a literary garden of cozy mysteries, each series distinct yet unified by her knack for vivid settings and relatable heroines. The Local Foods Mysteries, starting with A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die, follows organic farmer Cam Flaherty, whose knack for solving murders rivals her green thumb. Drawing on Maxwell’s farming days, the series brims with locavore charm and small-town intrigue.
The Quaker Midwife Mysteries, set in 1880s Amesbury, stars Rose Carroll, a Quaker midwife whose sleuthing uncovers secrets amid childbirths. The series, including the Agatha Award-winning Charity’s Burden, blends historical detail with Maxwell’s Quaker insights, earning praise for its immersive storytelling. As Maddie Day, Maxwell pens the Country Store Mysteries, set in southern Indiana, where Robbie Jordan dishes up comfort food and solves crimes, and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, a Cape Cod-based series sparked by Maxwell’s writing retreats. Her short stories, appearing in over twenty anthologies, showcase her versatility, with two nominated for Agatha Awards.
Maxwell’s style is warm yet suspenseful, weaving cozy community vibes with complex mysteries. Her heroines—farmers, midwives, or shopkeepers—are grounded, curious, and resilient, reflecting her own multifaceted life. Themes of local culture, women’s empowerment, and ethical living shine through, making her work both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Why Edith Maxwell Matters
Edith Maxwell’s impact on the cozy mystery genre lies in her ability to craft authentic, immersive worlds that resonate with readers. Her series elevate underrepresented settings—like organic farms and Quaker communities—while tackling timeless themes of justice and connection. Her Agatha Award win and multiple nominations highlight her skill, and her leadership in Sisters in Crime New England underscores her commitment to the mystery community.
Maxwell’s stories offer more than escapism; they celebrate resilience, community, and the power of everyday women as sleuths. Fans cherish her for bringing Amesbury’s history and Quaker values to life, while her diverse series invite new readers to explore cozy mysteries with fresh perspectives. Her work continues to inspire, proving that even small-town stories can leave a big mark.
- Birthplace: California, USA
- Key Works: A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die, Charity’s Burden, Murder on Cape Cod
- Awards: Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (2020), multiple Agatha and Macavity nominations
- Pen Names: Maddie Day, Tace Baker
Ready to cozy up with a mystery that feels like home? Snag Delivering the Truth or Murder on Cape Cod and dive into Edith Maxwell’s charming, suspenseful worlds!