Barbara Neely

Barbara Ann Neely (often self-stylized as BarbaraNeely; November 30, 1941 – March 2, 2020) was an African-American novelist, short story writer and activist. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She wrote murder mysteries. Her first novel, "Blanche on the Lam" (1992) was her best known work. 
The Mystery Writers of America named her their 2020 Grand Master winner.
Neely died on March 2, 2020 at the age of 78 after a short illness in Philadelphia.