Joan Hess was an American mystery writer, born on January 6, 1949, and passed away on November 23, 2017. She was best known for two popular series: the Claire Malloy mysteries and the Maggody mysteries. Her Claire Malloy series features a bookseller and amateur sleuth, while the Maggody series is set in a fictional small town in Arkansas and follows the quirky cases handled by police chief Arly Hanks. Hess's novels are characterized by their humor and wit, often bringing a light-hearted and comedic touch to the mystery genre. She was also a contributor to the "Malice Domestic" anthologies, collections of short stories that showcase traditional mystery tales. Her work earned her multiple nominations for the Agatha Award, and she was a member of the Sisters in Crime organization, dedicated to supporting women who write mystery novels. Joan Hess was also known for finishing the final novel of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series, "The Painted Queen," which was published posthumously for Peters.