Maureen Jennings: Appointee to the Order of Canada!

Congratulations, Maureen Jennings, New Appointee to the Order of Canada!!!

From the Crime Writers of Canada:

Maureen Jennings has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. The announcement was made today (December 18, 2024) by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. 

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future. Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.” 

Maureen is a talented writer with a keen eye for setting, character and dialogue. She has helped put historical crime fiction on the Canadian literary map. She has published four series of novels as well as nonfiction, short stories and stage plays. 

This year, the Crime Writers of Canada presented its 2024 Grand Master Award to Maureen. CWC established the Grand Master Award in 2014 to recognize a Canadian crime writer with a substantial body of work who has garnered national and international recognition. The award is presented biennially, and is selected by a jury chosen by the Chair of Crime Writers of Canada, with advice from the board. 

To quote the London Free Press, "Maureen Jennings is not only just about the best crime novelist in Canada, she’s among the best writers anywhere - a national and international treasure." 

Maureen is a prolific author of non-fiction, short stories and book series featuring Christine Morris, Detective Murdoch, and D.I. Tom Tyler. The Detective William Murdoch television series, set in Victorian era Toronto, was optioned in 2003 by Shaftesbury Films. The tv series, Murdoch Mysteries, is shown in over 120 countries and features innovative crime-solving techniques, social justice subplots and surprise guest appearances. 

Maureen also co-developed the television series Bomb Girls, based on the experiences of young women working in British munitions plants during the Second World War. The series first aired early in 2012 and very quickly rose to become the highest-rated new drama on Canadian television. 

In 2011, Maureen was awarded the Grant Allen award for her on-going contribution to Canadian crime writing. The award, honoring Canada's crime-writing pioneers, is given out annually at the Scene of the Crime Festival on Wolfe Island. 

Maureen has received eight Awards of Excellence (formerly known as the Arthur Ellis Awards) nominations from Crime Writers of Canada in the Best Novel and Short Story categories. In 2014, the 180th anniversary of the city of Toronto, the Toronto Star named her one of 180 people whose influence has raised the city’s profile. 

Maureen's latest project, The Paradise Café series, is set in Depression-era Toronto and features Private Investigator Charlotte Frayne. Maureen is an exceptional talent, a generous mentor and strong supporter of Canadian crime and mystery writers. Her prolific publishing history includes the following: 

Fiction 

Detective Murdoch Series (8 novels) John Wilson Murray, who was appointed as Ontario's first government detective in 1875, "was an important inspiration" for Jennings and led to the development of the character William Murdoch. Christine Morris Series (2 novels) Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series (4 novels) Paradise Café Series (4 novels) 

Non-fiction 

The Map of Your Mind: Journeys Into Creative Expression (filled with common-sense advice and encouragement, intended as a guide into the creative self.)