Picture a New York schoolteacher weaving gritty crime tales from the streets of Brooklyn—meet Tim O’Mara! This veteran educator turned mystery author crafts suspenseful stories that pulse with the heartbeat of urban life. Best known for his Raymond Donne Mystery series, O’Mara blends his deep roots in education with a knack for thrilling narratives, earning him a loyal following among crime fiction fans.
Born in Queens, New York, O’Mara’s journey from classroom to crime novels is as captivating as his books. His unique perspective as a former special education teacher infuses his work with authenticity, making his characters and settings leap off the page. Let’s dive into the life, works, and lasting impact of this dynamic storyteller.
The Making of Tim O’Mara
Tim O’Mara grew up in Flushing, Queens, with a suburban upbringing that he jokingly describes as lacking the ‘dark side’ typical of crime writers. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz and Long Island University, he embarked on a 30-year career teaching math and special education in New York City’s public schools, with a dozen years spent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was during a house visit to a student in a diverse housing project that inspiration struck: this vibrant, complex neighborhood would be the perfect backdrop for a detective story. Drawing on his experiences and stories from his cop brother and brother-in-law, O’Mara created Raymond Donne, a former NYPD officer turned schoolteacher, mirroring his own dual worlds.
Tim O’Mara’s Unforgettable Stories
O’Mara’s Raymond Donne Mystery series is the cornerstone of his literary career, blending hard-boiled crime with the nuances of urban education. His debut, Sacrifice Fly (2012), introduces Raymond Donne, a Brooklyn teacher navigating murder and mystery, earning a Barry Award nomination for Best First Novel. Critics praised its authentic New York vibe, with the Houston Chronicle calling it ‘the best first crime novel in years.’ The series continues with Crooked Numbers (2013), where Donne investigates a student’s brutal murder, and Dead Red (2015), tackling a veteran’s death during summer break. Nasty Cutter (2017) and The Hook (2019) further showcase O’Mara’s knack for intricate plots and vivid settings.
Beyond the series, O’Mara’s short stories and novellas shine. His novellas Smoked and Jammed appear in Triple Shot (2016) and Three Strikes (2018), while his short story The Tip graces the 2016 anthology Unloaded, supporting gun control advocacy. Currently, he’s crafting So Close to Me, a standalone high-school crime drama inspired by Megan Abbott, promising a fresh twist on his signature style. O’Mara’s writing is gritty yet empathetic, weaving humor, suspense, and social commentary into Brooklyn’s bohemian and blue-collar tapestry.
Why Tim O’Mara Matters
Tim O’Mara’s impact lies in his ability to humanize the crime genre. His background as an educator brings depth to his characters, reflecting the real struggles of urban communities. By setting his stories in Williamsburg, he captures a neighborhood in flux—part artist haven, part working-class stronghold. His editorial work on Down to the River (2019), a crime anthology supporting American Rivers, showcases his commitment to social good, uniting top crime writers for conservation. O’Mara’s teaching continues through adult writing workshops and programs for incarcerated youth, inspiring new voices in storytelling.
- Birthplace: Flushing, Queens, New York
- Key Works: Sacrifice Fly, Crooked Numbers, Dead Red, Nasty Cutter, The Hook
- Notable Award: Barry Award nomination for Best First Novel (2013)
- Fun Fact: O’Mara believes baseball metaphors explain most of life’s situations!
Ready for a thrilling read? Snag Sacrifice Fly and dive into Tim O’Mara’s gritty, heart-pounding world of crime fiction!