Edna Buchanan is an American author and journalist known for her crime reporting and mystery novels. Born on March 16, 1939, in Paterson, New Jersey, Buchanan moved to Miami, Florida, where she became a reporter for the Miami Herald in the late 1960s. She gained national attention for her coverage of violent crimes in the city, which earned her the nickname "The Queen of Crime." Buchanan's insightful and vivid crime reporting led her to win the Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting in 1986. Her experience in crime journalism shaped her writing career, as she went on to author numerous books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her mystery novels often feature strong, female protagonists, with her best-known fictional character being Miami crime reporter Britt Montero. Buchanan's writing is acclaimed for its authenticity, fast-paced plots, and detailed knowledge of police and crime reporting procedures.