Home
MISSION: Sisters in Crime was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers. Please view our Code of Conduct.
Sisters in Crime Orange County – The Blood Orange welcomes everyone interested in or passionate about crime writing, including writers—published, aspiring, or pursuing careers—readers, booksellers, publishers, librarians, editors, agents, promoters, reviewers, and fans.
Next Meeting
Sisters in Crime Orange County
The Blood Orange
Presents…
Step back in time—and into danger.
Sisters in Crime Orange County welcomes Naomi Hirahara and Elisabeth Rhoads for a special conversation on Historical Crime Fiction. Travel from 1903 Pasadena (Crown City) to 1850s Michigan (Haggard House) as the authors discuss their new books and how they blend research, suspense, and unforgettable characters.
THE AUTHORS
Naomi Hirahara is an Edgar Award-winning author of multiple traditional mystery series and noir short stories. Her Mas Arai mysteries, which have been published in Japanese, Korean and French, feature a Los Angeles gardener and Hiroshima survivor who solves crimes. Her first historical mystery, Clark and Division, which won a Mary Higgins Clark Award, follows a Japanese American family’s move to Chicago in 1944 after being released from a California wartime detention center. A former journalist with The Rafu Shimpo newspaper, Naomi has also written numerous non-fiction history books and curated exhibitions. Her follow-up to Clark and Division, Evergreen, was released in 2023 and was on the USA Today bestseller list for two weeks.
Elisabeth Rhoads is the author of Haggard House, a Foreword Reviews Editor’s Pick, and numerous short stories. She has a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and will be attending Chapman University this fall to earn her Masters in Creative Writing. She is the current Vice-President on the board of the California Writers Club, Orange County branch, and has been volunteer judging the Scholastic Writing Awards since 2021.
THE BOOKS
Crown City by Naomi Hirahara: Two Japanese American men hired to investigate an art theft discover something much more sinister in turn-of-the-century California. In this fish-out-of-water mystery, studded with cameos by real historical figures, Hirahara brings to life a little-known slice of California history.
Haggard House by Elisabeth Rhoads: After a repressed, religious childhood within the dank walls of Haggard House, a zealous young man begins a forbidden relationship with a bright-eyed heathen, setting in motion the unveiling of family secrets and forcing him to face his inner world—one that has been steadily deteriorating. Set in 1859 in the village of Nomaton, Michigan.
JOIN US AT OUR NEW EVENT LOCATION AT THE ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY!
Saturday, August 22, 2026
2:30pm-4:30pm
Orange Public Library
407 E. Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92866
Free and open to the public!
Come and enjoy homemade treats, a fun opportunity drawing, and camaraderie with other writers and readers!
- Sisters in Crime Meetings are open to the public. Your first two meetings are free; subsequent meetings are $5 each. Members are free.
- Donations are graciously accepted! Any amount helps to keep amazing programing, events, and more coming your way.
Please visit the Join/Renew Page for information about Sisters in Crime OC and how to join our chapter.
If you have questions not answered on this website, please get in touch with us at sistersincrimeoc@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram (@ocsistersincrime)!
