Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence
2 appearances
-
Edition 8 (1991) award
-
Edition 13 (1996) award
L. R. Wright
エル・アール・ライト
Eru Āru Raito
Aliases:
Laurali Wright / Laurali Rose Wright / Bunny Wright / Laurali Rose Appleby
Pen Names:
L. R. Wright（Published novels under L. R. Wright; appeared as Laurali Wright in some U.S. editions）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1939-06-05 （Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada）
- Died
- 2001-02-25 （Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada） age 61
- Nationality
- Canadian
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Saskatoon (birthplace) → Calgary (residence/work) → California, USA (worked in advertising) → Vancouver (later life, place of death) → Dawson City (summer-stock acting)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Journalist, Actor
- Active Years
- 1959-2001
- Influenced By
- W. O. Mitchell
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton University | — | — | — | — | Canada |
| University of Calgary | — | — | — | — | Canada |
| University of British Columbia | — | — | — | — | Canada |
| Simon Fraser University | — | — | Master of Arts in Liberal Studies | — | Canada |
Carleton University
Country:
Canada
University of Calgary
Country:
Canada
University of British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Simon Fraser University
Degree:
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
Year of Graduation:
1995
Country:
Canada
Earned an MA in Liberal Studies in 1995
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Edgar Award for Best Novel | The Suspect | Best Novel | Mystery Writers of America (MWA) | Winner |
| — | Arthur Ellis Award | — | — | Arthur Ellis Awards (Canada) | Winner |
Edgar Award for Best Novel
1986
Work:
The Suspect
Category:
Best Novel
Organization:
Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Result:
Winner
Arthur Ellis Award
Organization:
Arthur Ellis Awards (Canada)
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Suspect
1985 MysteryA classic mystery set on the coast of British Columbia featuring detective Alberg and Cassandra; explores local secrets and community dynamics.
Small-town dynamicsSecrets and the pastCoastal settings
Adaptations
- [Stage / basis for Television drama] Murder in a Small Town (2024)
Sleep While I Sing
1986 MysteryA mystery combining classic plotting with introspective character work.
Guilt and memoryInterpersonal relationships
Neighbours
1979 Literary fictionAn early work of literary fiction notable for detailed depiction of community and psychological insight.
CommunityEveryday life
Love in the Temperate Zone
1988 Literary fictionA literary novel that examines relationships and subtle emotional shifts.
LoveInner life
Kidnap
2000 MysteryAn Edwina Henderson mystery centered on a tense kidnapping investigation.
KidnappingPursuit of truth
Bibliography
- Neighbours (1979)
- The Favorite (1982)
- Among Friends (1984)
- The Suspect (1985)
- Sleep While I Sing (1986)
- Love in the Temperate Zone (1988)
- A Chill Rain in January (1990)
- Fall From Grace (1991)
- Prized Possessions (1993)
- A Touch of Panic (1994)
- Mother Love (1995)
- Strangers Among Us (1996)
- Acts of Murder (1997)
- Kidnap (2000)
- Menace (2001)
Adaptations
- Murder in a Small Town (TV series, based on The Suspect and related material)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Low-key, observational proseFocus on character interiorityAtmospheric setting descriptions
- Recurring Motifs
- Sea and coastlineSmall-town interpersonal tiesSecrets from the past
Health
-
Breast cancer1990s–2001Long illness ending in her death from breast cancer in 2001
Legacy
Highly regarded Canadian mystery writer, internationally noted after winning the 1986 Edgar Award. Her novels set on the British Columbia coast are known for regional atmosphere and psychological depth.
Academic Societies
- The Writers' Union of Canada
- Canadian crime-writing organizations
In Popular Culture
- TV adaptation 'Murder in a Small Town' based on The Suspect premiered/was distributed in 2024
Trivia
- Born Laurali Rose Appleby; nicknamed 'Bunny'.
- Many novels are set on the coast of British Columbia.
- Published in the U.S. under the name Laurali Wright in some editions.