Mary Miley Theobald

About

Welcome to my online home! Here’s where I open the door and invite you inside to meet my literary family: my 15 nonfiction books, 200 magazine articles (some available here), and the 9 historical mysteries written by my fictional self, Mary Miley. Severn House is publishing my new mystery series set in Chicago during my favorite decade, the Roaring Twenties: The Mystic’s Accomplice hit US shelves in 2021, Spirits and Smoke was released in early 2022, and the third, Deadly Spirits, later that same year. The fifth, and final, book in the Roaring Twenties series came out in September 2023. It has a murder method (weapon?) that I believe is unique–at least, I have never seen it in all my decades of reading murder mysteries. (Tell me if I’m wrong.) On a personal level, I’m busy at Valley Road Vineyards, working on the bottling assembly line. I’m enjoying traveling again in 2024!

Testimonials

“You were totally available, totally organized, constantly ahead of schedule, and extremely thorough in your work. It was the smoothest book project of my 12-year publishing era. I hope we can find another one sometime!” Wayne Dementi, Dementi Milestone Publishing (2016)

“Thank you so much for your talk on Saturday to our docents—everyone thoroughly enjoyed getting to “meet” you! It’s so nice to have the ability to connect virtually with speakers like you who are far away geographically. Your presentation was the perfect balance of being fun and informative, and I think that hearing your methods for researching the origins to the various myths was particularly valuable to the docents.’ Emily Hermans, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2016)

“Thanks so much for a splendid program today. I was pleased we had a good crowd to hear your remarks. They clearly enjoyed themselves. You gave them just the right blend of history and fascinating people stories that I aim for with this lecture series.” Nelson Lankford, VP for Programs and Editor of Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Virginia Historical Society (2013)

“Your presence at the workshop was a huge draw for our attendees and a very big reason for its success. All of the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive.” Jeremiah DeGennaro, Historic Stagville, NC (2013)

“Thanks so much for all your good work–especially the last-minute rush job on Historic Jamestowne. You were a total pro and we were honored to have you as one of our writers.” Waynette Goodson; USAir in-flight magazine (2013)

“A serious scholar with a narrative flair.” Professor J. Frederick Fausz, University of Missouri in a review of 1607: Jamestown and the New World (CW: 2007)

“I need to say that it really helps [my job] to have lovely material such as yours to work with.” Christine Ennulat, Associate Editor, Virginia Living

“How fortunate I was to meet you . . . it could not have been more timely. You have been a delight to work with and it has been a gift to HRF and to the community to have had your diligence and oversight on this project.” Mary Jane Hogue, Executive Director, Historic Richmond Foundation (2012)

“Mary Theobald is a remarkably talented researcher and writer, and a valued and long-time contributor to Colonial Williamsburg’s journal. . . Mary’s polished professional skills, shown in her several books and many magazine articles, speak very well for themselves, so I risk gilding the lily by adding that Mary has a wonderful way with words and a deft touch with a phrase. From years of experience, I know as well that she understands museum publications and their aims, has a fine grasp of history, is careful, organized, dependable, and great with detail, and is, moreover, a delightful collaborator and friend.” Dennis Montgomery, Editor, Colonial Williamsburg Journal