Dilys Winn
Personal Information
Born: 1939
Died: 2016
Country of Birth: Dublin, Ireland
Nationality: Irish/American
Ethnicity: White
Education
Pembroke College at Brown University 1961
Professional Life
Field of Study: Retailer Bookseller
Institution/Corporation: None
Degrees & Memberships: None found
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1978 Special Edgar Award; 1978 Edgar Allen Poe Award, Mystery Writers of American
Achievements: opened the nations 1st bookstore devoted to mystery & detective fiction; Murder, Inc was located in Manhattan, NY; 1975 began holding Sunday afternoon mystery talks; 1977 published "Murder, Inc" featuring essays, character studies, photos, quizzes & a guide to "terrible edibles" to avoid or seek depending on ones motive; 1979 published "Murder Inc: the Better Half of Mystery"
1972, opened Murder, Inc in NYC, bookstore that was devoted to mystery & detective fiction; one of the 1st of its kind
1972, appeared on TV show To Tell The Truth
Sold the store in 1977
1990s, operated a mystery bookshop (Miss Marple's Parlour) in Key West, Fla
1975, began holding Sunday afternoon "mystery talks" for a $5 fee, featured writers, editors, & guest speakers
1977, co-founded "Mohonk Mystery Weekend" where guests observed, and were then asked to solve, murders staged at Mohonk resort; turned it over to Donald Westlake & his wife in 1982; is still run by Murder Cafe & is in its 47th year
Although her stores had posted hours, she opened & closed as she pleased
for a nominal fee she offered loans of hard-to-find & out-of-print titles
Had large pillow cushions on the floor of her shop so people could read part of a book before purchasing
to thank friends & customers for their support, she held a St. Valentine's Day Massacre-themed party in the garage next door to her Manhattan shop
Organized 16-day tours of the United Kingdom to places associated with murders or mysteries including the Tower of London, Jack the Ripper's neighborhood, & the docks