About the Author

Diane Gilbert Madsen

My first contact with mysteries was reading the Sherlock Holmes stories.  They were wonderful, and I went on to Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and John Dickson Carr.  I was fascinated by crime, history and business, and still am.

I was born in Chicago, attended Trinity Lutheran School and Steinmetz High, and went to the University of Chicago on a full scholarship.  I  have an M.A in English literature (specializing in 17^th century) from Roosevelt University.

I’ve worked in government and had a number of jobs ranging from Deputy Village Clerk for a town of 60,000, to Director of Economic Development for the State of Illinois where I ran all economic development activities including tourism and the Illinois Film Office while the Blues Brothers was being filmed.  Subsequently I began my own consulting business, advising a variety of organizations on economic development activities and fund raising. I have been cited in both the World Who’s Who of Women and the Who’s Who in Finance and Industry.

After selling our business, my husband Tom and I moved to Florida where we live on a secluded five-acre parcel on the Cape Haze Penisula near the town of Placida.  I have continued consulting on a part time basis while finally having the time to write.

 I made many attorney and law enforcement friends who share interesting incidents and answer my many questions.  I have kept an “Agony Column” for many years consisting of reports of unusual and weird incidents.

I met the suspect, convicted but later exonerated, of a murder that happened close to my home (the Dream Murder).  This incident made me realize the police and attorneys have their own signals and signs when it comes to criminals, and sometimes their conclusions are very wrong. 

Diane throwing out first pitch at White Sox game at Comiskey Park

I am a sports fan, following the Cubs (Oh agony!!), the Bears and the Blackhawks, and was lucky enough to throw out the first pitch for the White Sox at Comisky Park where Greg Luzinsky hit a home run for me.  I’ve also met Bill Buckner (a great guy!) and Sox pitcher Dennis Lamp (also a super guy!)

Mystery Writers of America Grand Master mystery author Stuart Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, as well as Mr.  Frank Campbell, current President of the Robert Burns Association of North America and Chair of the Burns Club of the St. Andrews Society of Sarasota have  been inspirational and helpful.

 I have been active in many organizations, including:

Crime Lab Project

The St. Andrews Society of Sarasota – Current member

The Caledonian Club of Florida West – Current member

The Robert Burns Association of North America – Current member

Robert Burns World Federation – Current Member

The Criterion Bar Association (Sherlock Holmes) – Past member in Illinois

Sisters In Crime – Current Member

Mystery Writers of America – Current Member

Graue Mill (Board Member) Hinsdale, Il

Midwest Region of the Shakespeare Globe Project (Sam Wanamaker’s project to recreate the Globe Theater in London)

Illinois Industrial Commission

Illinois Association of Chambers of Commerce

Illinois Manufacturer’s Association

After many years of living in the Windy City, I now live in Southwest Florida on 5 acres that are also home to bob cats, Florida panthers, wild pigs, armadillos, gopher tortoises, herons, egrets and bald eagles.  My  husband Tom and I  have seen them all.

Two bald eagles in our pond

Gator in our pond

Diane's two Japanese Chins, Sugar & Spice

Looking out from Diane's Lanai at the wildlife sanctuary