Tributes to Sunderland author Sheila Quigley after crime writer dies aged 72

Sheila passed away in the early hours of Friday, April 24 following a brief spell in Sunderland Royal Hospital after being admitted with a toe infection. It’s not believed she died from Covid-19.

People have taken to the 72-year-old’s Facebook page to pay tribute to the talented grandmother who was a pioneer in her field of crime fiction.

Over the years, Sheila became a best-selling author with novels such as Bad Moon Rising, Living on a Prayer, Every Breath You Take and her latest release in 2011, Stand By Me.

It was with her debut novel, Run For Home in 2003, that the author rose to prominence after securing a £300,000 book deal with Random House.

It changed the life of the former factory machinist who went on to become one of the country’s best-loved crime writers.

As well as being passionate about writing, Sheila was a proud ambassador for her home town of Houghton.

Her friend and fellow author, Charlie Pearson, said: “Sheila really was a pioneer. When she first began writing there wasn’t many crime fiction novels set in the North East, let alone with a female protagonist.”

Sheila used her fame to campaign for many issues over the years, such as running in local elections and keeping libraries open, which was a particular passion of hers.

Charlie added: “I’ve been contacted by so many authors since Sheila passed away and there’s been hundreds of messages from people all over the world. She was a very matriarchal, loving person who helped so many amateur authors along the way.”

Speaking about the legacy of Sheila, whose novels were deeply rooted in her home area, Charlie said: “She couldn’t sing the praises of Houghton and Sunderland enough, she was so proud of her home.

“She would do lots of library openings and book signings and so many people would come along. She wrote for pure enjoyment, but knowing how many people connected with her books was really touching for her. She’s left an amazing legacy.”