Michael McGarrity holds a BA with distinction in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work. As an undergraduate, he held a Ford Foundation Scholarship at the University of New Mexico. Additionally, he is an honor graduate of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.

He has been on the faculty of several colleges and universities, teaching courses in psychology and counseling, functioning as a field supervisor for undergraduate and graduate clinical social work students, and as a college instructor within the New Mexico prison system.

With the publication of “Tularosa” in 1996, McGarrity turned to writing full time.  He lives in Santa Fe New Mexico with his wife and college sweetheart, Emily Beth (Mimi). His son, Sean Eli, who creates the maps for the books and takes the author’s photographs, also lives in Santa Fe.

Michael’s debut novel,  “Tularosa” was nominated for an Anthony Award, a Dilys Award and a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, and was selected as one of the best books of the year by “Publishers Weekly”. “Serpent Gate”, the third novel in the Kevin Kerney series, was a “Booklist” top-ten crime novel of 1998-1999. “Under the Color of Law” garnered kudos as a Top 10 bestseller list for 2001 of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. It was also judged as one of the best books of 2001 by Deadly Pleasures Magazine. Deadly Pleasures also gave a nod to the cover art as a top book cover of 2001. In 2003, Michael was nominated for two awards, the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Western Novel, his second Spur nomination and in 2004, Michael was not only nominated but was awarded the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts — Literature.

Order Michael McGarrity‘s latest title today at www.vjbooks.com