Ellen Barker

Ellen Barker grew up in Missouri during a period of demographic upheaval, and she returns there in her novels. She has a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Washington University in Saint Louis, where she developed a passion for how cities work, and don’t. She began her career as an urban planner, then spent many years working for large consulting firms, first as a writer-editor and later managing large data systems. Her volunteer work involves years of pet-assisted therapy with children in “the system,” both foster care and prison. She is the author of East of Troost, which introduced readers to the Kansas City neighborhood where Still Needs Work and The Breaks also take place. Nothing North of Delmar starts a new series set in Saint Louis. Ellen now lives in California with her husband.