Born in Birmingham, England, Maureen Jennings emigrated to Canada at age seventeen. After studying philosophy and psychology at the University of Windsor and English literature at the University of Toronto, Jennings went on to teach English at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute. Eight years later, she left teaching to set up her own private practice as a psychotherapist.

In 1997, Except the Dying, Jennings’s first William Murdoch novel, was published to wide praise. It was subsequently shortlisted for both the Anthony and the Arthur Ellis best first novel awards. That success was followed by three more Murdoch mysteries: Under the Dragon’s Tail, Poor Tom Is Cold, and Let Loose the Dogs, which was shortlisted for the Anthony Best Historical Mystery award. Jennings is also the author of the non-fiction book Map of Your Mind.

Except the Dying, Poor Tom Is Cold, and Under the Dragon’s Tail have all been filmed as the first three episodes of Murder 19C. Starring Peter Outerbridge as Murdoch and Keeley Hawes as Dr. Julia Ogden, the series has been broadcast in Canada and the U.K. Let Loose the Dogs and Under the Dragon’s Tail are being filmed in the summer of 2005.

Today, Jennings runs creative expression groups when she is not writing. Recipient of the Heritage Toronto Certificate of Commendation, she lives in Toronto with her husband and their two dogs. Please visit her Web site: www.maureenjennings.com.