Laura Childs

Laura Childs is the pseudonym of Gerry Schmitt, a New York Times bestselling author who has captivated millions of readers with her cozy mystery series. Born and raised in Minnesota, Laura brings a unique blend of creativity and business acumen to her writing, having previously served as CEO and Creative Director of her own successful marketing firm. Her career has spanned multiple creative industries, including television production and screenwriting, before she found her true calling in mystery fiction. Laura specializes in what she playfully calls "thrillzy" mysteries—cozy mysteries with the pace and excitement of a thriller. Her Tea Shop Mysteries, set in the historic district of Charleston, South Carolina, feature protagonist Theodosia Browning, a savvy entrepreneur and owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. The series is renowned for its atmospheric settings, intricate plots, and rich detail about tea culture and Charleston's history. Laura's intelligent, focused amateur sleuths don't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes, making her mysteries both engaging and satisfying for readers who appreciate well-crafted detective work. Beyond the Tea Shop Mysteries, Laura has created two other beloved series: the Scrapbooking Mysteries set in New Orleans' French Quarter, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries set in the fictional Midwest town of Kindred. In 2016, writing under her real name Gerry Schmitt, she launched the Afton Tangler psychological thriller series set in her home state of Minnesota. With over 35 published mysteries to her credit and numerous New York Times bestseller placements, Laura has established herself as one of the most prolific and popular voices in contemporary cozy mystery fiction. Laura is married to a professor of Chinese art history and lives in Plymouth, Minnesota. When she's not writing, she enjoys traveling, horseback riding, and fundraising for various nonprofit organizations. She shares her home with two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Her husband's contribution to her pen name—choosing "Laura Childs" so her books would be shelved ahead of authors like Tom Clancy and Mary Higgins Clark—proved to be inspired marketing strategy. Laura continues to delight readers with multiple new releases each year across her various series.