Picture a storyteller who whisked readers from the spicy kitchens of New Orleans to the romantic courts of history—meet Nancy Fairbanks! Born in 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri, Fairbanks, a pseudonym for Nancy Herndon, crafted over 20 novels blending cozy mysteries with culinary delights and historical romances. Her knack for weaving food, travel, and intrigue into page-turners earned her a loyal following.
The Making of Nancy Fairbanks
Nancy Fairbanks, born Nancy Herndon, grew up in St. Louis, where her curiosity for stories took root. With bachelor’s degrees in English and Journalism from the University of Missouri, she was thrilled to join Phi Beta Kappa, a moment rivaled only by her first book’s acceptance. She earned two master’s degrees from Rice University and taught English at universities like NYU and the University of Texas at El Paso. Before writing, she tackled jobs from advertising copywriting to lecturing, each shaping her vibrant narrative voice.
Nancy Fairbanks’s Unforgettable Stories
Fairbanks’s Culinary Mystery with Recipes series, launched with Crime Brûlée in 2001, stars Carolyn Blue, a food writer turned sleuth. In Crime Brûlée, Carolyn ditches homemaking for Cajun cuisine and crime-solving in New Orleans, blending recipes with whodunits. Truffled Feathers follows Carolyn as she investigates a colleague’s death, with twists and tasty dishes. Bon Bon Voyage takes her on a gourmet cruise, where missing passengers spark suspense. Writing as Elizabeth Chadwick, Fairbanks penned historical romances like Wanton Angel, rich with passion and period detail. Her style—witty, immersive, and layered with cultural flavor—reflects her love for travel, opera, and food.
As Nancy Herndon, she authored the Elena Jarvis mystery series, starting with Acid Bath, showcasing her versatility. Her novels, informed by her Citizens Police Academy experience, brim with authentic investigative details. Whether exploring French cuisine or medieval romance, Fairbanks’s works invite readers into vivid worlds where every chapter feels like a feast.
Why Nancy Fairbanks Matters
Nancy Fairbanks carved a niche in cozy mysteries, blending gastronomy and suspense in a way that felt fresh and inviting. Her recipes, woven into narratives, inspired readers to cook and sleuth alongside Carolyn Blue. Her historical romances, under Elizabeth Chadwick, transported fans to bygone eras with emotional depth. Now retired in Wisconsin, Fairbanks’s legacy endures through her diverse catalog, delighting readers who crave stories with heart, humor, and a dash of danger.
- Born: 1934, St. Louis, Missouri
- Key Works: Crime Brûlée, Truffled Feathers, Bon Bon Voyage, Wanton Angel
- Pen Names: Nancy Herndon, Elizabeth Chadwick
- Genres: Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance
Ready to savor a mystery with a side of recipes? Snag Crime Brûlée and dive into Nancy Fairbanks’s delicious world of culinary crime!