Richmonders became obsessed with Patricia Cornwell’s 20-plus forensic whodunits long before the theme saturated prime-time television. A friend to the likes of George Bush Sr. and Billy Graham, who’s had relationships with both genders, lawsuits, scandals and a highly prolific career as an international bestselling author, Cornwell’s biography seems at least as interesting as her crime-fighting heroine’s Kay Scarpetta.

patriciacornwell.com

Second Place: David Baldacci

Third Place: Michele Young-Stone