Delia Pitts

As a journalist, former university administrator, and U.S. diplomat, Delia Pitts earned a Ph.D. in African history from the University of Chicago. Her contemporary noir mystery, "Trouble in Queenstown," won the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel in 2024. The second book in the series, "Death of an Ex," was published a year later. She is also the author of the Ross Agency mysteries, set in Harlem. An active member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Crime Writers of Color, she and her husband live in New Jersey with twin sons. 

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Awards: Shamus award for Best Private Investigator Novel of 2024 for my mystery, Trouble in Queenstown

Communities: African American

Dead in Chicago

You don’t have to be from the Windy City to love these mysteries set in Chicago. In this session, authors Tracy Clark, Naomi Hirahara and Lori Rader-Day will discuss the reason they staged their stories on the edge of Lake Michigan.

Koffler Room 204 (Seats 300, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: Tracy Clark, Naomi Hirahara, Lori Rader-Day
Moderator: Delia Pitts
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Judith Wood, Long Realty, Taffy Raphael and Jim Gavelek

Dark Hearts, Darker Deeds

How can such nice people create such dark stories? Come meet James Byrne, Ward Larsen and Delia Pitts, and find out.

Koffler Room 218 (Seats 142, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: James Byrne, Ward Larsen, Delia Pitts
Moderator: Colleen Cambridge
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Judith Marro, Ingrid Novodvorsky/Chris Johnson

No Badge Needed

Not every sleuth comes wearing a badge. In this session, authors Ellen Byron, Colleen Cambridge and Delia Pitts, will compare notes about regular folks who solve crimes, too.

Student Union Santa Rita (Seats 110)  
Sun, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: Ellen Byron, Colleen Cambridge, Delia Pitts
Moderator: Zoe Wallbrook
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Joi and Bianca Bowen, Roberta and Bill Witchger, Jan and Mickey Dowling

Books:

Death of an Ex

A Vandy Myrick Mystery
Mystery / Thrillers
St. Martin's Publishing Group
July 2025
ISBN 9781250904249
320 pages
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Trouble in Queenstown

A Mystery
Mystery / Thrillers
St. Martin's Publishing Group
July 2025
ISBN 9781250904232
336 pages
Buy now