Marianna Rich grew up in Garland, North Carolina.  Before she could either read or write she recited stories to anyone who would listen.  Later she wrote constantly, however she is thankful that most of those efforts are now lost.  She became a voracious reader, tackling everything from biography to fantasy with equal enthusiasm.  She admits, thought, that she has always loved a good murder.

"With murder," says Rich, "you get to explore human behavior in ways that no other writing genre permits.  And, I have always been fascinated by the WHY of people's actions."

She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1972 - 1976.  During that time she made friends whom she now considers her family.  "It was a great time in my life," she says, adding that she wouldn't change a single minute of it.  After graduation, she remained in the Greensboro area where she now lives with her own dog and cat collection.

Marianna is currently working on her second mystery which also features Lonnie Briggs, the main character of Digging Up Bones.