Melodie Johnson

Melodie Johnson Howe, born on October 23, 1943, is a multifaceted American actress and author known for her contributions to both the entertainment and literary worlds. From a young age, she harbored a passion for writing, crafting numerous short plays that remained unpublished during her early years. She honed her writing skills at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied creative writing.

In 1965, Howe transitioned into acting, quickly making her mark in Hollywood. She appeared in various notable television series, including "The Virginian," "It Takes a Thief," "Bewitched," and "Mannix." Her film career featured small roles in significant works like "Coogan's Bluff" (1968) directed by Don Siegel, alongside Clint Eastwood, and "Bootleggers Wars" (1970) directed by Richard Quine, featuring Patrick McGoohan and Richard Widmark. Howe's acting journey concluded in the early 1980s.

Under the name Melodie Johnson Howe, she turned to writing fiction, publishing her first thriller, "Shadow The Mother," in 1989, followed by "Beauty Dies" in 1994. Both novels revolve around the investigative exploits of Claire and Maggie Conrad Hill, two female detectives with a dynamic reminiscent of Rex Stout's iconic duo, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. In 2011, she released "Shooting Hollywood," a collection of stories featuring Diana Poole, a former actress navigating her forties while tackling criminal cases. The series continued with "City of Mirrors" in 2013, further establishing Howe's literary legacy.