World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Emma Lathen

エマ・レイサム

Ema ReISAMu

Aliases: Mary Jane Latsis / Martha Henissart
Pen Names: R. B. Dominic（Joint pen name used for Congressman Benton Safford series）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1927-07-12 （Chicago）
Died
1997-10-29 age 70
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Religion
Unknown
Residence History
Chicago → Boston → New York

Career

Occupations
economic analyst, attorney, novelist
Active Years
1961-1997
Affiliations
CIA, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, Raytheon
Nominations
Edgar Award shortlist (When in Greece)

Education

Wellesley College
Economics
Year of Graduation: 1948
Country: United States
Attended by Mary Jane Latsis
Mount Holyoke College
Physics
Degree: B.A.
Year of Graduation: 1950
Country: United States
Attended by Martha Henissart
Harvard University
Law School / Law
Period: 大学院
Country: United States
Henissart, law
Harvard University
Economics and Public Administration / Economics
Period: 大学院
Country: United States
Latsis, economics and public administration

Awards

Silver Dagger Award
1964
Work: Accounting for Murder
Organization: Crime Writers' Association
Result: winner
Gold Dagger Award
1967
Work: Murder Against the Grain
Organization: Crime Writers' Association
Result: winner
Edgar Award
1983
Category: Ellery Queen Award
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: winner
Agatha Award
1997
Category: 生涯功労賞
Organization: Malice Domestic
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Banking on Death

1961 Mystery

First novel featuring Wall Street banker John Putnam Thatcher investigating a murder.

bankingmurderfinance

Accounting for Murder

1964 Mystery

Murder intertwined with intricate accounting schemes.

accountingbusinessmurder

Murder Against the Grain

1967 Mystery

Mystery set in the grain industry. Gold Dagger winner.

agricultureinternational businessmurder

East is East

1991 Mystery

Late series entry set in the East.

international financecultural clash

Bibliography

  • Banking on Death (1961)
  • A Place for Murder (1963)
  • Accounting for Murder (1964)
  • Murder Makes the Wheels Go Round (1966)
  • Death Shall Overcome (1966)
  • Murder Against the Grain (1967)
  • A Stitch in Time (1968)
  • Come to Dust (1968)
  • When in Greece (1969)
  • Murder to Go (1969)
  • Pick Up Sticks (1970)
  • Ashes to Ashes (1971)
  • The Longer the Thread (1971)
  • Murder Without Icing (1972)
  • Sweet and Low (1974)
  • By Hook or by Crook (1975)
  • Double, Double, Oil and Trouble (1978)
  • Going for Gold (1981)
  • Green Grow the Dollars (1982)
  • Something in the Air (1988)
  • East is East (1991)
  • Right on the Money (1993)
  • Brewing Up a Storm (1996)
  • A Shark Out of Water (1997)
  • Murder, Sunny Side Up (1968) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • Murder in High Place (1969) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • There Is No Justice (1971) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • Epitaph for a Lobbyist (1974) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • Murder Out of Commission (1976) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • The Attending Physician (1980) (as R. B. Dominic)
  • Unexpected Developments (1983) (as R. B. Dominic)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear and entertaining styleskillful explanation of financial intricaciescrisp, detached, mocking, economical
Recurring Motifs
specific industries or business activitiesWall Street banker John Thatcherlinks to current events

Legacy

Highly regarded as pioneers of intellectual mysteries set in business and finance, winning multiple awards. Critics called them 'a sort of Jane Austen of the detective novel'.

Quotes

  • We decided on a banker because there is nothing on God's earth a banker can't get into.
    Source: Interview

Trivia

  • Pen name of two women: Mary Jane Latsis (1927–1997) and Martha Henissart (b. 1929).
  • Met at Harvard graduate school; began writing mysteries in early 1960s.
  • Identities remained secret until 1977.
  • Wrote alternate chapters, then joint rewrite.
  • At Latsis's death, they were 80% through a new book set during the Gulf War, which Henissart did not finish.