EDUCATION

BRONX HIGH SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, 1967

BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1971

Cum Laude and With Distinction in English Literature

STANFORD UNIVERSITY, 1972

Masters Degree in Creative Writing

First Real Job

Copywriter, Patrick Nugent and Company, Advertising Agency, Boston
Winner, New England Advertising Hatch Award, 1976
Radio Campaign, First Place “Dial An Oxford Pickle Joke”

 

NOVELS

 

HISTORICAL FICTION

 

HOME SWEET HOME (2017) 

A BEST MYSTERY OF 2017 — WASHINGTON POST

Suspenseful historical novel. A lawyer's family in 1950s South Dakota becomes the victim of a murderous witch hunt. “[In] Smith’s terrific new novel. . . .[she] illuminates the force of McCarthyism-generated fear in the Midwest and effectively personalizes it through the persecution the Kusak family endures for their liberal beliefs. The author also skillfully ties together the two time periods.”— Publishers Weekly

A STAR FOR MRS. BLAKE (2014)

Cora Blake, a librarian from Maine, travels to France to visit the grave of her son killed in WW I and discovers unexpected love. The untold story of the 1930s American Gold Star Mothers pilgrimages. “A beautifully written, meticulously researched slice of American history. April Smith’s poignant and tender story of five courageous World War I Gold Star mothers’ amazing journey across the sea is one you will never forget.” —Fannie Flagg

 

MYSTERY/THRILLERS 

THE FBI SPECIAL AGENT ANA GREY SERIES

 

WHITE SHOTGUN (2011)

A mass shooting in London sends Ana Grey to Siena, Italy, where she discovers her own sister is in danger from the ‘Ndrangheta crime network. “Ana Grey is a credible, fascinating heroine. Tight suspense and fascinating background.” Booklist, starred review 

JUDAS HORSE (2008) 

Ana Grey goes undercover in Oregon to infiltrate a group of domestic terrorists posing as animal rights activists who are saving wild mustangs. “A superb thriller.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

GOOD MORNING, KILLER (2003)

Searching for a fifteen year-old girl kidnapped from the Santa Monica Promenade, Ana Grey becomes entangled in a dark love affair with an unstable police detective assigned to the chase. “April Smith expertly illuminates aspects of her heroine's psychological life and devotion to justice that deepen our understanding about who she is--a complicated, brave, multidimensional woman it is a pleasure to meet in this engrossing and powerful novel.” —Amazon Editorial Review

NORTH OF MONTANA (1994)

The first Ana Grey book. Ana discovers the startling facts of her own identity while investigating a high-profile case involving a famous Hollywood movie star and an illegal supply of prescription drugs. “A stunningly assured debut . . . unflagging pace and appealing heroine. In vigorous, literate prose, Smith delivers characters of depth and dimension who inhabit the wildly diverse worlds of Southern California, each rendered with a cinematic eye.”  Publisher’s Weekly, starred and boxed review.

 

STANDALONE THRILLER

BE THE ONE (2000)

Cassidy Sanderson is the only female baseball scout in the major leagues. When she discovers a star player in the Dominican Republic and brings him back to Los Angeles, both their lives are threatened by mysterious forces. “Smith's characters are sharply drawn, and she's firmly in command of her milieu: the day-to-day life of a baseball scout is brilliantly explicated, the pacing is expert, and the back-stories are well told in flashback. Cassidy is a fascinating woman--hard-working, hard-drinking, and wholly human and vulnerable. Even if you're not a baseball fan, you'll root for her to win.” — Amazon Editorial Review

 Filmography

 

GOOD MORNING, KILLER (TV MOVIE, TNT)

Writer/Executive Producer

Based on the book by April Smith

Writer 

2011

MONTANA SKY (TV MOVIE, CBS)

Writer 

Based on the book by Nora Roberts

2007

NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING (MINISERIES, TNT)

Writer (2 episodes) “Umney’s Last Case,” “Autopsy Room Four”

2006

CHICAGO HOPE (TV SERIES, CBS)

Writer/Producer 

Writer (3 episodes) 

1999-2000

 BLACK AND BLUE (TV MOVIE, CBS)

Writer 

Based on the book by Anna Quindlen

1999

THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE-TWO- THREE (TV MOVIE, ABC)

Writer 

1998

TAKING BACK MY LIFE: THE NANCY ZIEGENMEYER STORY (TV MOVIE, CBS)

Writer 

1992

QUEENIE (TV MINISERIES, ABC)

Writer 

Based on the book by Michael Korda

1987

LOVE LIVES ON (TV MOVIE, ABC)

Writer/Producer

1985

ERNIE KOVACS: BETWEEN THE LAUGHTER (TV MOVIE, ABC)

Writer 

1984

BEST KEPT SECRETS (TV MOVIE, ABC)

Writer 

1984

CAGNEY & LACEY (TV SERIES, CBS)

Writer/Producer 

13 episodes

1982–1983

LOU GRANT (TV SERIES, CBS)

Executive Story Editor ( 53 episodes) 

1980–1982

FAMILY (TV SERIES, ABC)

Writer (1 episode )

1980

FRIENDS (TV SERIES, ABC)

Writer (1 episode)

1979

JAMES AT 15 (TV SERIES, NBC)

Writer (1 episode )

1978

 

AWARDS

• Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Writing, Movie of the Week , 1984
  Nomination for teleplay, Ernie Kovacs: Between The Laughter
• Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Dramatic Series, 1983
   Nomination for producer, Cagney and Lacey
• Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Writing, Episodic, 1981
   Nomination for Lou Grant, “Strike”
•  Writers Guild of America , Outstanding Dramatic Episode, 1981   Nomination for Lou Grant, “Strike"
• Writers Guild of America, Outstanding Dramatic Episode, 1980         Nomination for Lou Grant, ”Inheritance"