Picture a pair of brilliant American businesswomen spinning tales of murder and high finance—meet Emma Lathen! This pseudonym cloaked Mary Jane Latsis and Martha Henissart, who revolutionized the mystery genre with their John Putnam Thatcher series. From 1961 to 1997, their 24 novels blended Wall Street savvy with clever whodunits, proving that ledgers and intrigue make a thrilling mix.
Emma Lathen wasn’t just a name; it was a literary heist, crafted from ‘M’ and ‘Lat’ of Mary Latsis and ‘Ma’ and ‘Hen’ of Martha Henissart. Their partnership, born at Harvard’s graduate halls, turned the stuffy world of banking into a playground for cerebral crime-solving, earning them fans from Wall Street to cozy mystery circles.
The Making of Emma Lathen
Mary Jane Latsis (1927–1997), an economist with a Wellesley degree, brought analytical grit from her work at the CIA and UN. Martha Henissart (born 1929), a Mount Holyoke physics grad turned Harvard-trained lawyer, added legal precision from her role at Raytheon. Meeting as graduate students, they bonded over a love for mysteries. In 1960, lamenting the lack of good reads, they decided to write their own, choosing a pseudonym to shield their professional lives.
Their collaboration was as structured as a bank vault: they plotted together, Latsis penned the first chapter, Henissart the last, and they polished the rest in tandem. This method birthed John Putnam Thatcher, a Wall Street banker-sleuth who debuted in Banking on Death (1961), setting a new standard for mysteries that doubled as financial primers.
Emma Lathen’s Unforgettable Stories
The John Putnam Thatcher series, spanning 24 novels, is Lathen’s crown jewel. Thatcher, senior vice president at Sloan Guaranty Trust, solves crimes with a banker’s logic, navigating industries from chocolate to shipping. Banking on Death (1961) introduced him, unraveling a trust fund murder with wit and financial insight. When in Greece (1969) plunged Thatcher into a coup, blending global events with murder. Going for the Gold (1981) tied a Lake Placid Olympics scandal to a killing, showcasing their knack for timely plots.
Lathen’s style was crisp, witty, and cerebral, often compared to Agatha Christie but with a Wall Street edge. They wove complex financial schemes into tight mysteries, making terms like ‘letter of credit’ as gripping as a smoking gun. Their books, like Death Shall Overcome (1966), also tackled social issues, linking a brokerage firm’s first Black partner to the Civil Rights Movement. Recurring characters, like Thatcher’s no-nonsense secretary Rose Corsa, added charm and continuity.
Under the pseudonym R.B. Dominic, they wrote seven lesser-known novels featuring Congressman Benton Safford. While engaging, these lacked Thatcher’s financial flair and never matched his popularity. Lathen’s ability to make arcane business dealings accessible and entertaining set them apart, earning praise as ‘the American Agatha Christie.’
Why Emma Lathen Matters
Emma Lathen redefined the mystery genre by proving finance could be thrilling. Their novels taught readers about commodities trading, mergers, and banking while keeping them guessing. The Los Angeles Times dubbed Lathen ‘the most important woman in American mystery,’ and their Thatcher was likened to ‘Nero Wolfe with a portfolio.’ Their influence persists in modern financial thrillers, inspiring authors who blend commerce with crime.
Lathen’s legacy also lies in their trailblazing collaboration. Two women thriving in male-dominated fields—economics and law—crafted a literary empire under a shared name, keeping their identities secret until 1977. Their work, still cherished by mystery fans, offers a timeless blend of intellect and intrigue.
- Pseudonym of Mary Jane Latsis (1927–1997) and Martha Henissart (born 1929).
- Published 24 John Putnam Thatcher novels from 1961 to 1997.
- Won the 1967 Crime Writers’ Association Award and 1997 Agatha Award.
- Also wrote seven Ben Safford novels as R.B. Dominic.
About Emma Lathen
Snag Banking on Death or When in Greece and dive into Emma Lathen’s world of high-stakes mysteries! Whether you’re a finance nerd or a cozy mystery fan, their clever plots will keep you hooked.