In general, she is a writer of both expressive description and yet admirable economy, often ambitious in the sociological underpinnings of the stories and the quality of the writing. In some of the books we are given chilling and fascinating insight into what it feels like to be losing touch with reality and evolving into madness. Unusual people, mild societal misfits or people who don't quite fit into their surroundings are given much interior detail. Often we are shown the rather complex interior lives of the people in her books, with issues of class, insecurity, failed ambitions, loneliness or existential isolation or paranoia often being explored with an almost literary quality that transcends the mystery genre. Millar's books are distinguished by sophistication of characterization. They resided for decades in the city of Santa Barbara, which was often utilized as a locale in her later novels under the pseudonyms of San Felice or Santa Felicia. She moved to the United States after marrying Kenneth Millar (better known under the pen name Ross Macdonald). Born in Kitchener, Ontario, she was educated there and in Toronto. Margaret Ellis Millar (née Sturm) was an American-Canadian mystery and suspense writer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |