William G. Tapply

William G. Tapply (July 16, 1940 – July 28, 2009) was an American writer who published over 40 works. He is best known for his legal mystery series featuring lawyer and detective Brady Coyne, and he also wrote about one of his favorite pastimes, fishing.

Tapply was born, raised, and lived in New England. He was a high school teacher and a college professor.

Early life and education Tapply was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, and raised in Lexington by his father, H.G. Tapply, and his mother, Muriel. Tapply's father wrote the column "Tap's Tips" for Field & Stream.

Tapply graduated from Lexington High School. He earned a bachelor's in American studies from Amherst College in 1962 and received a master's in teaching from Harvard. Writing about Tight Lines (1992), one of the Coyne mysteries, a reviewer said, "Brady is as appealing a character as ever". Reviewing Scar Tissue (2003), the 17th Coyne mystery, a critic stated: "Like a well-worn, comfortable pair of shoes or a favorite old college sweat shirt, William G. Tapply and Brady Coyne just don't disappoint."

Tapply also wrote other kinds of fiction, including The Nomination, his last novel, published after his death. One reviewer described The Nomination as a "fascinating political thriller". a book that describes the process of writing and publishing mysteries.

Awards and honors Death at Charity's Point (1984), Tapply's first mystery novel, won the Scribner Crime Novel Award.

Personal life Tapply was married to editor and mystery writer Vicki Stiefel and had five children. Tapply met Stiefel at a writer's group in 1992.