Kathryn Smith

KATHRYN SMITH is a journalist and writer with a long fascination with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his circle and his times. Her abiding interest in FDR led to her decision to write "The Gatekeeper," the first and only biography of Marguerite LeHand, his private secretary, confidant, advisor and friend. Kathryn frequently speaks about Missy, often in character and in period costume. (Visit her website at www.kathrynsmithwords.com or the Missy LeHand page on Facebook) Kathryn's most recent venture is co-authorship, with Kelly Durham, of the Missy LeHand Mystery novels, beginning with "Shirley Temple Is Missing." A second novel, "The President's Birthday Ball Affair," is in the works. Kathryn and Kelly attended high school together in the 1970s and re-connected professionally a few years ago when she began proof-reading his fiction books. Kathryn was so taken with Kelly's inventive and fact-based World War II thrillers and Old Hollywood novels that she asked him to collaborate with her on a Missy mystery. The rest, as they say, is history.