Before becoming a full-time author, Elaine Viets worked in the field of journalism. She is the author of the Dead-End Job Mystery series; the Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series; and the Francesca Vierling Mystery series. Her short story Wedding Knife, which appeared in Chesapeake Crimes, won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards. Viets resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.