Collin Wilcox; Author of Mysteries Set in San Francisco

Collin Wilcox, 71, who wrote 30 mystery novels set in San Francisco. His most recent books were “Full Circle” and “Find Her a Grave,” both featuring Alan Bernhardt, an eccentric theater director, as the sleuth. The author’s best character at solving his fictional murders was San Francisco police Lt. Frank Hastings. Wilcox’s first novel, “The Black Door,” with a clairvoyant crime reporter named Stephen Drake as his protagonist, was published in 1967. In addition to formulaic detective stories, Wilcox also wrote more involved suspense novels under the name Carter Wick. Born in Detroit, he graduated from Antioch College in Ohio. Before he began to sell books, Wilcox taught art briefly, co-owned a furniture store and owned another store called Collin Wilcox Lamps. He also held a private pilot license. On July 12 in San Francisco of cancer.