Duncan, Lois (1934–)

American children's writer, novelist and mystery writer. Born Lois Duncan Steinmetz, April 28, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; dau. of Joseph Janney and Lois (Foley) Steinmetz (both magazine photographers); attended Duke University, 1952–53; University of New Mexico, BA (cum laude), 1977; m. 2nd husband, Donald Wayne Arquette (electrical engineer), July 15, 1965; children: (1st m.) Robin, Kerry, Brett; (2nd m.) Donald Jr., Kaitlyn (died 1989).

Writer of youth books, adult novels, magazine articles and short stories, was a 3-time winner during high school years of Seventeen magazine's annual short-story contest; served as instructor in department of journalism at University of New Mexico (1971–82); won Seventeenth Summer Literary Award from Dodd, Mead for Debutante Hill (1957); won Best Novel Award from National Press Women for Point of Violence (1966); was Edgar Allan Poe Award Runner-up for Ransom (1967) and They Never Came Home (1969); won Zia Award from New Mexico Press Women for Major Andre: Brave Enemy (1969); won numerous awards for young adult books, which include I Know What You Did Last Summer (1973), Summer of Fear (1976), Killing Mr. Griffin (1978), Stranger with My Face (1981), The Third Eye (1984), Locked in Time (1985), The Twisted Window (1987), and Don't Look Behind You (1989); after daughter Kaitlyn was killed in a drive-by shooting (July 16, 1989), wrote the nonfiction book, Who Killed My Daughter? (1992).

See also autobiography, Chapters: My Growth as a Writer (Little, Brown, 1982).