Jerry Holt

Who is Jerry Holt?

Jerry Holt is a novelist, playwright, teacher, and public speaker.

He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 6, 1942. In spite of being a native of Oklahoma, Holt's writing is often set in Ohio, where he resided for many years.

The Killing of Strangers Holt's first novel, introduces down-on-his-luck detective Sam Haggard. The novel was a finalist in the St. Martin's First Mystery Competition. Because it deals with the Kent State shootings of 1970, it has been included in that university's May 4 Archive. The writing style is reminiscent of Raymond Chandler. USA Book News lauded Strangers as "an interesting and well-written suspense." Crime writer Margaret Lucke says that the novel "conveyed a powerful emotional punch" and "lingered in [her]mind for a long time after reading it." Gilbert Geis, writer and Professor of Criminology, says Strangers' is a "splendid piece of work."

Holt's one-person plays all deal with important Ohio figures. An Evening with Julia Marlowe depicts the life of Shakespearean actor Julia Marlowe; Woody tells the story of Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes; Rickey celebrates baseball's Branch Rickey and his inspirational relationship with Jackie Robinson.