Picture a corporate attorney swapping legal briefs for pulse-pounding thrillers—meet Wanda M. Morris! This American author burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel, All Her Little Secrets, a gripping legal thriller that weaves race, corporate intrigue, and personal secrets into an unputdownable narrative. With a knack for storytelling that draws from her Fortune 100 legal career, Morris has become a vibrant voice in crime fiction, captivating readers with her sharp prose and fearless exploration of social issues.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of seven children, Morris’s journey from a resource-scarce upbringing to bestselling author is nothing short of inspiring. Her transition from law to literature showcases her perseverance, making her a beacon for aspiring writers and diverse voices in publishing.
The Making of Wanda M. Morris
Growing up in a large family with limited means, Morris faced challenges that shaped her resilience. Her ticket to a brighter future came through a private high school education, much like her protagonist Ellice Littlejohn in All Her Little Secrets. This experience introduced her to code-switching and navigating predominantly white spaces, themes that resonate in her work. After earning a law degree, Morris climbed the ranks in corporate America, working in the legal departments of top Fortune 100 companies. As president of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, she founded the Women’s Initiative, a mentorship program for female lawyers, reflecting her commitment to empowering others.
Writing was a long-simmering passion. After a health scare prompted a life reassessment, Morris dusted off a manuscript she’d shelved for seven years. Over a 13-year journey, she honed her craft through the Yale Writers Workshop, Robert McKee’s Story Seminar, and communities like Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Her persistence paid off with a debut that took the thriller world by storm.
Wanda M. Morris’s Unforgettable Stories
Morris’s debut, All Her Little Secrets (2021), introduces Ellice Littlejohn, a Black corporate attorney entangled in a deadly conspiracy after her boss’s mysterious death. The novel masterfully blends legal drama with themes of racism, sexism, and family loyalty, earning praise as a “brilliantly nuanced” thriller by Karin Slaughter. Its sharp pacing and authentic depiction of corporate politics made it a standout, named a Best Book of 2021 by Hudson Booksellers and a top pick by librarians nationwide.
Her follow-up, Anywhere You Run (2022), dives into the Jim Crow South, following two sisters fleeing danger in a suspenseful historical mystery. The novel won the Anthony and Lefty Awards for Best Historical Novel in 2023 and was longlisted for the Mark Twain Voice in American Literature Prize. Morris’s third novel, What You Leave Behind, continues her signature blend of taut suspense and social commentary, cementing her reputation for crafting complex, flawed heroines.
Morris’s style is electrifying yet grounded, with richly developed characters and plots that tackle systemic inequities without preaching. Her legal background infuses her stories with authenticity, while her focus on Black women’s experiences in corporate and historical settings adds a fresh perspective to the thriller genre.
Why Wanda M. Morris Matters
Wanda M. Morris is more than a thriller writer; she’s a trailblazer amplifying diverse voices in crime fiction. Her novels confront uncomfortable truths about race and power, resonating with readers across backgrounds, from Atlanta to Brazil and Poland, where her books have been translated. By drawing on her corporate experiences, she exposes the underbelly of workplace dynamics, making her stories both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Her journey from a 13-year writing struggle to award-winning author inspires aspiring writers, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Morris’s advocacy for women and people of color, both in law and literature, underscores her impact as a storyteller and changemaker, ensuring her legacy in the genre.
- Born: Cleveland, Ohio
- Key Works: All Her Little Secrets, Anywhere You Run, What You Leave Behind
- Awards: Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery Novel, Anthony Award for Best Historical Novel
- Fun Fact: It took 13 years from first draft to publication for her debut!
Snag All Her Little Secrets and dive into Wanda M. Morris’s thrilling world of secrets and suspense!