Brett Halliday

Brett Halliday (July 31, 1904 - February 4, 1977), primary pen name of Davis Dresser, was an American mystery writer, best known for the long-lived series of Mike Shayne novels he wrote, and later commissioned others to write.

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He was born in Chicago, Illinois but mostly grew up in West Texas. He lost an eye to barbed wire as a boy, which required him to wear an eye patch for the rest of his life. At the age of 14 he ran away from home and enlisted in the U.S. 5th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, followed by a year of border patrol duty on the Rio Grande. After his service was up, he returned to Texas to finish high school. He graduated from Tri-State College in Civil Engineering. He worked for a time as an engineer and as a surveyor, and then started as writer in 1927.

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From 1946 to 1961, Halliday was married to mystery writer Helen McCloy. They were also partners in a literary agency that bore their names, as well as in Torquil Publishing Company, which published his books from 1953 to 1965. Prior to this, he had been married to Kathleen Rollins, and their betrothal had provided him with two stepdaughters.

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Halliday also wrote non-series mysteries and westerns under the names Asa Baker, Mathew Blood, Kathryn Culver, Don Davis, Hal Debrett, Anthony Scott, and Anderson Wayne.

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He was a founding member of the Mystery Writers of America, and in 1953 was given an Edgar Award for his criticism.

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He lived in Santa Barbara, California, until his death at the age of 72.

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July 31: July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining, as the final day of July....

1904: 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar)....

February 4: February 4 is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 330 days remaining, (331 in leap years)....

Brett Halliday related Images and Photos (experimental)

Halliday Brand, The	Brett Favre	Brett Favre	Brett Myers
Brett Myers	Brett Favre	George Brett	George Brett
Brett Dennen: So Much More	Brett Dennen: So Much More	George Brett - batting	Brett Favre & Adrian Peterson