Minette Walters

Award-winning crime fiction author Minette Walters was born on September 26, 1949, to Captain Samuel Jebb and his wife Colleen in Bishop’s Stortford. She spent most of her early childhood moving from one army base to the other in England. Her life changed when her father passed away because of kidney failure in 1960. Minette was eleven and studying at Abbey School in Reading, Berkshire. Shortly thereafter, at the age of twelve, she received a full scholarship to attend Godolphin boarding school in Salisbury. Schooling at Godolphin was one of the pivotal influences in Minette’s life. It was there that she learnt, amongst other things, the importance of academic achievement and the rewards of being fiercely independent. The school was keen on the proper education of girls and wanted all girls to go to university. This pushed Minette to perform well academically. As head girl, she mastered the art of public speaking, a trait that served her well in the years to come.