Member Directory
Sisters in Crime-Colorado members must opt in to be listed in our directory, which is alphabetical by last name. If you're a member who would like to be included or if you need to update your information, email us!
Auclair, Colette
Colette has been a copywriter since the ’80s, and also pens award-winning novels. In 2012, she finaled in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest. That book, Thrown, became the first in a 3-book series from Simon & Schuster. She also writes cozy mysteries and is the membership chair for Sisters in Crime-Colorado.
Barnhart, Wendy M.
Wendy M. Barnhart received her first library card at age two. She’s on the board of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and is a member of the Colorado Authors’ League and the Author’s Guild. She’s a proud dog mom, team dark chocolate, and unapologetic tree hugger.
Bass, Merida
Merida Bass, self-proclaimed masochist, almost wasn’t an artist. Fear of criticism resulted in her teaching remedial algebra to unwilling college students. After ten years of torture, she grew a backbone and threw herself into creative work. She’s published two illustrated children’s books, and co-authors the hilarious Ninja Grandparent Placement Mysteries.
Belton, Francelia
Francelia Belton writes crime and noir fiction about the moment someone becomes dangerous. Her work explores decisions that push ordinary people toward irreversible action and what it means to live with what comes after. Her fiction has appeared in Denver Noir, Shotgun Honey Presents, and Rock and a Hard Place.
Birk, Mary
A former trial lawyer, Mary was born in North Dakota but now writes in Colorado. Her Terrence Reid/Anne Michaels mystery series combines her love for gardening and her passion for all things Scottish. Mary is a founding member of Sisters in Crime-Colorado and serves as its president.
Brantley, Peg
A Colorado native, award-winning author Peg Brantley writes her contemporary suspense/thriller novels about current societal issues with the hope of sparking conversations. Peg is proud to be a founding member of Sisters-in-Crime Colorado and is a former board member.
Craig, Brooke
Brooke is a recovering retired (sometimes!) high school math teacher who also teaches Jazzercise and helps women declutter and style their homes. She is newer to writing mysteries and has two cozy short stories in our chapter anthologies. She's currently serving as chapter vice president.
Dallner, Meagan
Meagan Dallner grew up in Colorado and now lives in Billings, Montana with her family. She is a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, SCBWI, and Sisters in Crime. Meagan enjoys writing stories featuring smart women in STEM and looks forward to publishing her debut novel.
Da Vigo, Anne
Anne Da Vigo is an award-winning former police and court reporter who wrote about murder and mayhem for newspapers throughout California. Now she writes thrillers inspired by real events. Night Flight is her most recent thriller, particularly vivid for her because the horrendous airplane crash that inspired it occurred in Denver and the perpetrator attended her church.
Dilts, Catherine
After being tormented by a co-worker, Catherine Dilts took out her homicidal frustration in fiction, resulting in her first short story sale. Author of the Rose Creek Mystery series, her short stories appear in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Catherine co-authors the Ninja Grandparent Placement Mysteries with her daughter, Merida Bass.
Griffith, Skye
Skye Griffith, award-winning event producer and passionate explorer, debuts her talent for storytelling with Bone Hash, a gripping mystery inspired by archaeological and backcountry visits across the American Southwest. Her articles have appeared in the National Endowment for the Arts, I E Magazine and other industry publications.
Hammond, Kerry
Kerry Hammond is an Agatha Award-nominated author whose short stories have appeared in anthologies for Malice Domestic, Bouchercon and Sisters in Crime. One story was chosen for inclusion in The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year. She writes downloadable Murder Mystery Party games at BlameTheButler.com
Harris, Holly R.
Holly R. Harris writes fiction from the heart of the American West, ranging from modern suspense to historical projects set in the early 20th century. She has been a member of the Colorado Sisters in Crime chapter since 2023. In 2026, she joined the chapter’s board as treasurer.
Hinkin, Sue
Sue Hinkin is the author of the award-winning Vega & Middleton thrillers, featuring the Los Angeles TV news investigative team of journalist Bea Jackson and best friend, photographer Lucy Vega. BestThrillers.com recognized the Vega and Middleton duo as Top 10 Female Detectives 2023. Hinkin lives in Littleton, Colorado.
Lansing, Kate
Kate Lansing is the author of the award-winning Colorado Wine Mystery Series. She also writes under the pen name Kate Spooner and has a domestic thriller titled Sleep While They Sleep coming fall 2027 from Crooked Lane. Kate lives in Broomfield, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two mischievous kitties.
Mitchell, N.K. (Nancy)
Nancy is a recovering journalist and aspiring author who grew up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the bedcovers. She was communications director for several education non-profits before ditching the working world to earn a master's degree in creative writing. She juggles programming and the website for Sisters in Crime-Colorado.
Mizushima, Margaret
Margaret writes the internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. In addition to coordinating the Book Club for Sisters in Crime-Colorado, she serves as past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and was elected Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.
Murphy, Sandra
Sandra Murphy is a versatile audiobook narrator known for dynamic character voices, fierce comedic timing, and immersive storytelling. With over 100 titles, she specializes in mysteries—from paranormal to thriller to cozy—and is an active member of Sisters in Crime.
Nickless, Barbara
Barbara Nickless is the award-winning, WSJ and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of nine novels; her first and third series have been optioned for film and television. A teacher and activist, she teaches combat veterans and civilians in the U.S. and Ukraine.
Popp, Rita A.
Rita A. Popp has never come across desiccated human bones or a murdered professor. But she relished creating those scenes in her mysteries. A former university writer and editor, she writes at home in Colorado and at the New Mexico cabin she shares with her husband and their golden retriever, Agatha.
Robbins, Melissa
Melissa Robbins, writing as Melissa Reddlewick, started writing at an early age with her first story involving a winged unicorn with a rainbow mane. Her short stories are "Pretty Deadly" and "The Bones in the Box.” She is past president of our chapter and handles the Instagram account. Melissa also Irish dances.
Seely, Nichelle
Nichelle Seely is the author of the Audrey Lake Investigations series, as well as other speculative and mystery fiction. She is also a trained and certified developmental editor and book coach. She grew up in Oregon, spent ten years in Alaska, and now lives in Colorado.
Swanson, Cynthia
Cynthia Swanson is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of three psychological suspense novels and a story collection, and the editor of an anthology. She was named 2025 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project and has twice received the Colorado Book Award, among other honors.
Thayer, Alison
Alison is a recovering attorney writing mysteries and short stories from her home in the foothills. Her short fiction has appeared on the NoSleep Podcast and in several anthologies. When not writing, she can be found roaming the Colorado mountains on skis, boots or bike. She is secretary of Sisters in Crime-Colorado.