Crew, Cheryl Howard 1954(?)–

(Cheryl Howard)

PERSONAL: Born c. 1954, in CA; married Ron Howard (a film director), 1975; children: Reed, Paige, Jocelyn, Bryce.

ADDRESSES: Home—Armonk, NY. Agent—c/o Author Mail, St. Martin's Press, 175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010.

CAREER: Writer.

AWARDS, HONORS: Eleanor Roosevelt Award, 2005, for In the Face of Jinn.

WRITINGS:

In the Face of Jinn (novel), St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: Cheryl Howard Crew traveled to India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in 1996–97 in order to research her first book. During her trip she stayed with Pakistani villagers and was smuggled into the remote Northwest frontier on the Pakistani-Afghan border. Her travels, which occurred before the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, introduced her to some of the tribal life in Central Asia and the plight of women, who were subjugated under the rule of the Taliban and Afghan warlords. Her novel In the Face of Jinn tells the story of Christine Shepherd, who has an import business that requires her to travel to South Asia with her sister and partner Liz. On one of the trips, Liz disappears during a terrorist attack. Christine soon realizes that the Indian government is going to be of little help in finding her sister, so she sets out on her own search for both her sister and for the man who masterminded the terrorist attack. Traveling through India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Christine encounters the Taliban, warring tribal clans, and drug smugglers while fighting to survive as she is assaulted sexually and contracts a life-threatening illness.

In a review of In the Face of Jinn in People, Beth Perry noted that the author "deftly uses her knowledge of the area to create daunting images." A Publishers Weekly contributor wrote that "the nonstop action and gripping plot twists should keep readers entranced." Deborah Donovan commented in Booklist that "the sights, sounds, and smells of this harsh land leap from every page," and a Kirkus Reviews contributor noted: "The plausibility of her story relies on the generous personal detail the author brings to the landscape and characters, and especially to the ancient family customs and protocol of the people Christine encounters along the way."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, March 1, 2005, Deborah Donovan, review of In the Face of Jinn, p. 1136.

Daily Variety, April 21, 2005, Jonathan Bing, "I Dream of 'Jinn,'" p. 60.

In Style, April 4, 2005, Sarah Stebbins, "A Beautiful Time," p. 308

Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2005, review of In the Face of Jinn, p. 74.

New Yorker, May 2, 2005, Lauren Collins, interview with author, p. 42.

People, May 23, 2005, Beth Perry, review of In the Face of Jinn, p. 56.

Publishers Weekly, March 28, 2005, review of In the Face of Jinn, p. 56.

Time, April 11, 2005, Rebecca Winters, "Mogul Wife Goes Undercover," p. 69.

USA Today, April 13, 2005, Carol Memmott, "Director's Wife Faces Danger to Write 'Jinn.'"

Women's Wear Daily, April 21, 2005, Marcy Medina, "Spice World," about book party for author, p. 4.

ONLINE

New York Social Diary Online, http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/ (March 28, 2005), brief profile of author.