Roberta Mantell began writing fiction after 30 years as an arts reporter and photographer for The New York Times and other publications. Inspired by the books of the mystery writer Batya Gur, she now enjoys writing literate mysteries to challenge and delight readers. Her debut mystery, ANGELS' BLOOD: Murder in the Chorus, is set in a present-day chorus where an arts reporter investigates how the murders of two singers connect to a Requiem composed by a forgotten 19th century woman.Roberta Mantell is an East Coast native who leads workshops in memoir writing and contributes essays to the website www.NYCityWoman.com. As a chorus member for more than two decades, she sang at Carnegie Hall and on stages in Beijing, Prague, and St. Petersburg. She lives in Manhattan.