In memory of Marlene Suson

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Joan Sweeney (b. December 22, 1936), a former editor at the Los Angeles Times who later wrote Regency romance novels under the pseudonym Marlene Suson, died on January 22, 2005. She was 68. One of only three female reporters in the L.A. Times City Room when she was hired in 1971, died at her home in Manhattan Beach. She had long suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Sweeney, a successful novelist after she left The Times in 1984, was a popular member of the Old Farts, the organization of retired Times employees. She turned out 17 novels over the years for Avon and Fawcett, selling as many as 100,000 copies each. Set in the stratified society of early 19th century England, her books were especially popular in Britain and known for their meticulously researched descriptions of the era's clothing, customs and mores.

She was often as amused as others by the racy covers of such works as "Devil's Bargain," "Midnight Bride" and "The Lily and the Hawk."

Joan was a well diversified reporter, even contributing a skiing column to the Sports Section.

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