Richard David Adler

Adler, Richard David
August 28, 1937 - November 11, 2011
Dick Adler, an editor, book reviewer, novelist and blogger, died November 11th in Ventura, California. He was 74. He reviewed mysteries and thrillers for the Chicago Tribune and Publishers Weekly, was a magazine and newspaper editor in New York, London and Los Angeles, and won two Maggie Awards for his editing. His books include Public Justice, Private Mercy: A Governor's Education on Death Row, which he co-authored with former California Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown. The book was cited by Governor George Ryan in announcing his decision to suspend the death penalty in Illinois in 2003. Other works include Sleeping with Moscow, an account of the Richard Miller espionage case; and The Mozart Code, a mystery which was a nominee for a Microsoft Ebook Award. His Dreams of Justice: Mysteries as Social Documents, was published by Poisoned Pen Press in 2005. Adler was given the Ellen Nehr Award for Best Mystery Reviewer by the American Crime Writers League in Sept., 2006.
Born on Aug. 28th, 1937, in Englewood, New Jersey, Adler was the first of five children of Charles (Sol) Adler (dec. 1954) and Claire Field Adler (dec. 2005). He lived in New York City, London and Los Angeles before moving to Ventura. He is survived by his wife, Jane Wilson Adler, an award-winning historian; an uncle, Mervin Field, of San Francisco; two children (Katie Shinden, married to Bruce Shinden, and Dan Adler, married to Noelle Simmons); four grandchildren (Seth, Kira and Tessa Shinden, and Esme Adler); a brother (Lou Adler of Laguna Beach, CA.); two sisters (Tammy Fowler of Arcadia, CA.; Lesley Adler, of Monrovia, CA) and many cousins. A service for family and friends will begin at 2pm Saturday November 19th, at the home of Tammy Fowler, 1033 Paloma Dr., Arcadia, California. Messages and inquiries may be sent to Dan Adler (dpmadler@gmail.com).