Evelyn E. Smith author page

Evelyn E. Smith (1922–2000) was a remarkably versatile writer whose career bridged the worlds of mid-century science fiction, classical crossword construction, and later, cozy mystery novels.

The Science Fiction Career (1950s)

Smith began publishing science fiction in the early 1950s, quickly becoming a regular contributor to premier speculative fiction magazines like Galaxy Science Fiction, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and Fantastic Universe.

• Tone and Style: At a time when much of hard science fiction was deadpan and focused heavily on technology, Smith stood out for her sharp, satirical wit. Her stories frequently skewered social conventions, gender roles, and domestic life by placing them in absurd alien or futuristic settings.

• Notable Works: Some of her best-remembered short stories include "The Golem" (1954), "The Vilbar Party" (1955), and "Helpfully Yours" (1955). Her satirical SF novel, The Perfect Planet, was published in 1962.

The Crossword Connection

To supplement her creative writing income, Smith turned to constructing crossword puzzles. Her work caught the eye of Margaret Farrar, the legendary first crossword editor for The New York Times.

Between 1951 and 1958, the NYT published at least 8 of her puzzles. If you look closely at her grids—such as her one on Wednesday, February 12, 1958—you can actually see her topical instincts and literary background at play. She frequently integrated high-connectivity layouts and clues touching on contemporary science culture, such as multiple references to the International Geophysical Year (I.G.Y.).

The Mystery Novelist Era (1980s–1990s)

After stepping away from science fiction and crosswords for a period, Smith reinvented herself later in life as a mystery writer. She is best known for her Miss Melville cozy mystery series, which began with Miss Melville Regrets in 1986.

The series follows Susan Melville, a refined, middle-aged New York socialite who falls into a surprising second career as a professional assassin for a high-society syndicate. The books were widely praised for reviving the same drawing-room wit and dry humor that characterized her early science fiction.

Under the pseudonym of Delphine C. Lyons, she authored a number of gothic romance novels and the non-fiction works Everyday Witchcraft and Love Potions & Spells, which collect folklore and magical spells, and Fortune Telling, eight ways to read the future.

Smith's short story "At Last I've Found You" was adapted into an opera by Seymour Barab; it premiered in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1984.