Magdalen Nabb

Magdalen Nuttal was born in Church, Lancashire on 16 January 1947, and was raised in Ramsbottom. She went by 'Magda' with her two sisters and parents. Both of her parents' died while she was in childhood; her father died of rheumatic fever at age 32 when she was 7, and her mother died suddenly when Nuttal was 13. She and her sisters moved in with their aunt, but within two weeks, their uncle died.{{Cite news |last=Stones |first=Rosemary |date=2007-08-27 |title=Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/aug/27/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries |access-date=2024-07-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214925/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/aug/27/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries |url-status=live }}

Nuttal attended the Convent Grammar School in Bury, Greater Manchester, then attended an art college in Manchester,{{Cite web |date=2007-08-22 |title=Magdalen Nabb |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1560935/Magdalen-Nabb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604154527/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1560935/Magdalen-Nabb.html |archive-date=2011-06-04 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} where she studied arts and pottery.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

Nabb began her career teaching art at a primary school in Holcombe, Greater Manchester.

After moving to Florence in 1975, Nabb initially worked as a grape-picker and a potter before she began writing. Soon, she began working at Casa Guidi, descriptions of which she used in her first novel; she also met the physical model for Marshal Guarnaccia. Her first book, Death of an Englishman, was first published in 1981. Belgian writer Georges Simenon was impressed with the novel and reached out to Nabb, who had admired Simenon's work; the two became lifelong friends.{{Cite news |last=Stasio |first=Marilyn |date=28 August 2007 |title=Magdalen Nabb, Mystery Writer in Italy, Dies at 60 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/arts/28nabb.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710005902/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/arts/28nabb.html |url-status=live }} Nabb subsequently published 12 additional crime detective novels, all of which are set in Florence, which she describes as a "very secret city". She lived near enough to the Carabinieri station at Pitti to stroll there regularly and have a chat with the marshal, who kept her up to date on crime in the city. Her final novel, Vita Nuova in the Marshal Guarnaccia series, was posthumously published in 2008.

In addition to her novels intended for adults, Nabb wrote 12 Josie Smith books for children, all of which are set in Ramsbottom in the school Nabb attended. In 1991, Jose Smith and Eileen, the second book in the series, won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. She also wrote two unrelated children's books, The Enchanted Horse and Twilight Ghost. The former won the 1993 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize.

Nabb also occasionally wrote journalistic pieces for English, German and Italian papers.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

Nabb donated and raised funds for the Brooke Hospital for Animals, a UK-based international equine charity. All royalties from her 1993 book The Enchanted Horse were donated to the charity. In 2005, she raised money by riding across Kenya for six hours daily.

In the mid-2000s, Nabb helped residents in Afghanistan, first by supporting a school for Afghan refugee children, then financing a well to provide fresh water.

Nuttal married James Nabb, though the marriage was brief. The couple had a son, Liam.

In 1975, Nabb moved to Florence with her son, Liam, and her new companion, poet Nigel Thompson.

In 1994, Nabb suffered a stroke but recovered.

Nabb died in Florence of a stroke at age 60 on 18 August 2007.

• Co-written with Paolo Vagheggi: {{Cite book |title=The Prosecutor |last2= |first2= |date=1987 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-01497-1 |location=New York}}
• {{Cite book |title=Cosimo |date=2004 |publisher=Diogenes |isbn=978-3-257-23551-7}}

• {{Cite book |title=Death of an Englishman |date=1981 |publisher=Scribners}}{{Cite web |date=1982-11-01 |title=Death of an Englishman |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-5/death-of-an-englishman/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016030200/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-5/death-of-an-englishman/ |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Death of a Dutchman |date=1982 |publisher=Scribners}}{{Cite web |date=1983-03-01 |title=Death of a Dutchman |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-2/death-of-a-dutchman/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014241/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-2/death-of-a-dutchman/ |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Death in Springtime |date=1983 |publisher=Scribners}}{{Cite web |date=1984-04-15 |title=Death in Springtime |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-4/death-in-springtime/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014240/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-4/death-in-springtime/ |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Death in Autumn |date=1985 |publisher=C. Scribner's |isbn=978-0-684-18337-4 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=July 1985 |title=Death in Autumn |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Death-in-Autumn-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=2871039 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Booklist |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014253/https://www.booklistonline.com/Death-in-Autumn-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=2871039 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=The Marshal and the Murderer |date=1987 |publisher=Scribner |isbn=978-0-684-18884-3 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=1987-01-01 |title=The Marshal and the Murderer: A Marshal Guarnaccia Mystery by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684188843 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014250/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684188843 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=The Marshal and the Madwoman |date=1988 |publisher=Scribner |isbn=978-0-684-18984-0 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=1988-01-01 |title=The Marshal and the Madwoman by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684189840 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014250/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684189840 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=The Marshal's Own Case |date=1990 |publisher=Scribner |isbn=978-0-684-19201-7 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=1990-07-01 |title=The Marshal's Own Case: A Marshal Guarnaccia Mystery by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684192017 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014241/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684192017 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=The Marshal Makes His Report |date=1991 |publisher=Crime Club |isbn=978-0-00-232332-1 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=The Marshal at the Villa Torrini |date=1993 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-06-016915-2 |location=New York}}
• {{Cite book |title=The Monster of Florence |date=2013 |publisher=Soho Crime |isbn=978-1-61695-324-9 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |last=Keymer |first=David |date=2013-10-15 |title=The Monster of Florence |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/the-monster-of-florence |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Library Journal |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014248/https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/the-monster-of-florence |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Property of Blood |date=2001 |publisher=SOHO |isbn=978-1-56947-251-4 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=2001-08-13 |title=PROPERTY OF BLOOD by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569472514 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly}}
• {{Cite book |title=Some Bitter Taste |date=2002 |publisher=Soho Press |isbn=978-1-56947-317-7 |location=New York}}{{Cite web |date=2002-08-12 |title=SOME BITTER TASTE: A Marshal Guarnaccia Investigation by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569473177 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014754/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569473177 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=The Innocent |date=2005 |publisher=Soho Press |isbn=978-1-56947-414-3 |location=New York |oclc=ocm60543306}}{{Cite web |date=2005-07-18 |title=The Innocent by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569474143 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014748/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569474143 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Vita Nuova |date=2008 |publisher=Soho |isbn=978-1-56947-493-8 |location=New York |oclc=174138965}}{{Cite web |date=2008-04-28 |title=Vita Nuova: A Marshal Guarnaccia Investigation by Magdalen Nabb |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569474938 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014802/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781569474938 |url-status=live }}

• {{Cite book |title=The Enchanted Horse |date=1993 |publisher=Orchard Books |isbn=978-0-531-06805-2 }} Illustrated by Julek Heller.{{Cite web |date=1993-11-15 |title=The Enchanted Horse |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Enchanted-Horse-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=630692 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Booklist |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014803/https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Enchanted-Horse-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=630692 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Twilight Ghost |date=2002 |publisher=Collins |isbn=978-0-00-713397-0 |language=en}}

The Josie Smith books are illustrated by Pirkko Vainio and published by Margaret K. McElderry Books in New York.

• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith |date=1989 |isbn=978-0-689-50485-3 }}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith at the Seashore |date=1990 |isbn=978-0-689-50492-1}}{{Cite web |title=Josie Smith at the Seashore |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-2/josie-smith-at-the-seashore-2/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029174102/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/magdalen-nabb-2/josie-smith-at-the-seashore-2/ |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith and Eileen |date=1992 |publisher=M.K. McElderry Books |others= |isbn=978-0-689-50534-8 }}{{Cite web |date=1992-06-01 |title=Josie and Eilleen |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Josie-Smith-and-Eileen-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=627705 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Booklist |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014759/https://www.booklistonline.com/Josie-Smith-and-Eileen-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=627705 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith at School |date=1991 |isbn=978-0-689-50533-1 }}{{Cite web |date=1992-02-01 |title=Josie Smith at School |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Josie-Smith-at-School-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=527064 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Booklist |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014801/https://www.booklistonline.com/Josie-Smith-at-School-Magdalen-Nabb/pid=527064 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith at Christmas |date=1992 |isbn=978-0-00-674537-2 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith in Hospital |date=1993 |isbn=978-0-00-674720-8 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith at the Market |date=1995 |isbn=978-0-00-675064-2 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith in Winter |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-006-75407-7 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith in Spring |date=2000 |isbn=978-0-754-07802-9 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith in Summer |date=2000 |isbn=978-0-006-75409-1 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |title=Josie Smith in Autumn |date=2000 |isbn=978-0-006-75410-7 |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.thetimes.com/article/magdalen-nabb-d399gpwjx7r Obituary] in The Times, 23 August 2007
• [http://italian-mysteries.com/nabb-interview-part08.html 2004 interview, last of 8 linked parts] – Part Eight featuring The Monster of Florence, website Italian-Mysteries.com
• {{LCAuth|n82042217|Magdalen Nabb|35|ue}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nabb, Magdalen}}

Category:1947 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:People from Church, Lancashire

Category:English artists

Category:English crime fiction writers

Category:English children's writers

Category:British women mystery writers

Category:20th-century English novelists

Category:20th-century British women writers