Franklin Bandy Dies; Writer of Mysteries

Franklin Bandy, a mystery writer who won an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1979, has died at age 72.

Bandy, of Rye Brook, died Saturday at White Plains Hospital Medical Center after what was described only as a short illness.

He wrote eight novels and many short stories, some of which were reprinted in England, Italy, Japan and Germany. His last book, “Athenam,” is scheduled for release next month.

“Deceit and Deadly Lies” won the Poe award for best soft-cover novel of the year. The annual awards are sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America, which Bandy once served as executive vice president and director.

Bandy also helped organize two major meetings of mystery writers, the 1978 International World Congress and the 1975 World International Congress in London.