Patricia McElroy Carlson (born February 3, 1940) is an American writer of mystery fiction.
Born Patricia McElroy in Guatemala City,[1] where her radio engineer father had moved to find work during the Great Depression,[2] Carlson earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. from Cornell University, where she also taught psychology and human development.
During her career she has created three detectives, actress Bridget Mooney, graduate student (later statistician) Maggie Ryan, and Deputy Sheriff Marty Hopkins.
Carlson has also written on the subject of children's linguistic development.
Formerly a resident of southern Indiana, she later moved to New York City.