Picture a storyteller who spun tales of cozy mysteries with a side of humor and exotic flair—meet Tamar Myers! Born in the heart of the Belgian Congo to missionary parents, this bestselling author transformed a childhood of crocodile-infested waters and culture shock in America into a literary legacy that delights mystery fans worldwide.
With series like the Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries and Den of Antiquity, Myers blends wit, intrigue, and her unique global perspective into stories that feel like a warm chat with a quirky friend. Let’s dive into the life and works of this remarkable author whose journey is as captivating as her novels!
The Making of Tamar Myers
Born in 1948 in the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Tamar Myers grew up among the Bashilele tribe, known then as headhunters. Her parents, Christian missionaries, were the first white family to live peacefully with the tribe, and young Tamar, nicknamed 'Ugly Eyes' for her pale blue eyes, became fluent in the local trade language. Her childhood was a wild adventure—think dodging cobras, wading through crocodile-filled rivers to reach boarding school, and dining on elephant or monkey. In 1964, civil wars forced her family to flee to the United States when she was 16, where she faced severe culture shock. Unable to use a phone or cross a street at a stoplight, she met her future husband, Jeffrey, on her first day of high school after a literal head-on collision in a classroom doorway. After 23 years of rejections, her persistence paid off with her debut novel in 1993.
Tamar Myers’s Unforgettable Stories
Tamar Myers is best known for her cozy mystery series, each brimming with humor and vivid settings. Her Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries, starting with Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth (1993), follow Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder as she solves crimes in quirky Hernia, Pennsylvania, often with recipes included. Think murders with a side of apple pie! The Den of Antiquity series features Abigail Timberlake Washburn, a plucky antiques dealer in Charleston, South Carolina, navigating murders and rare finds, as seen in Larceny and Old Lace.
Myers’s Belgian Congo Mystery series, beginning with The Witch Doctor’s Wife (2009), draws on her childhood, weaving tales of duty, greed, and miracles in 1950s Africa. For example, The Headhunter’s Daughter (2011) explores a white child raised by a Congolese tribe, blending suspense with cultural depth. Her style—playful, culturally rich, and slightly irreverent—makes her books a cozy escape with an exotic twist, earning praise for evoking Alexander McCall Smith’s charm.
With over 60 books, Myers’s ability to craft relatable heroines and quirky plots keeps readers hooked. Her Congolese roots infuse her work with authenticity, while her humor reflects her Mennonite background and resilience through life’s challenges.
Why Tamar Myers Matters
Tamar Myers’s impact lies in her ability to turn a remarkable life into universally appealing stories. Her cozy mysteries offer more than just whodunits—they celebrate cultural diversity, resilience, and the humor in human quirks. By drawing on her Congolese upbringing, she brings a rare perspective to the genre, making equatorial Africa as vivid as rural Pennsylvania. Fans adore her for creating heroines like Magdalena and Abigail, who tackle life’s chaos with grit and wit, inspiring readers to embrace their own uniqueness.
Myers’s perseverance—writing through decades of rejection—also resonates with aspiring authors, proving that persistence pays off. Her work remains a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge worlds and warm hearts.
- Born: 1948 in the Belgian Congo
- Key Works: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth, The Witch Doctor’s Wife, Larceny and Old Lace
- Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery
- Fun Fact: She’s a Master Gardener and loves Thai food!
About Tamar Myers
Ready for a cozy mystery with a global twist? Snag The Witch Doctor’s Wife or Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth and dive into Tamar Myers’s delightful world of humor and intrigue!