Anne Perry (1938 – )

The daughter of Dr. Henry Hulme, a physicist, Perry was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was sent by her family to the Caribbean and South Africa in search of healthier climates. She rejoined her family when her father took a position as rector of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Hulme's first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical mystery novels and fantasy. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she has published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories.