Mary Ann Poll

America’s Lady of Supernatural Thriller

Born with a curiosity for the supernatural, Mary Ann Poll’s journey as a writer reflects a blend of personal experience, spiritual exploration, and creative storytelling. Now an award-winning author, she has carved a niche in the realm of supernatural thrillers infused with Christian themes.

Early Life and Career Shift

Mary Ann Poll moved to Alaska in 1972, where she spent 25 years working in administrative roles. During this time, she honed her technical writing and organizational skills, which later became foundational to her narrative craft. A severe injury forced her to pivot from her administrative career, leading her to embrace creative writing as a new outlet. This transition marked the beginning of her journey into fiction, where she could explore her lifelong fascination with the supernatural.

From an early age, Poll was intrigued by the unseen and mysterious. Her spiritual quest led her to explore various New Age philosophies, but she ultimately found her faith in Christianity. This personal evolution deeply influences her writing, particularly her focus on the battle between good and evil—a recurring theme in her Iconoclast Thriller series.

Writing Career and the Iconoclast Thriller Series

Mary Ann Poll is best known for her Iconoclast Thriller series, a collection of novels that blend supernatural suspense with Christian undertones. The series began with Ravens Cove (first published in 2010, with a second edition in 2019), set in a fictional Alaskan town where ancient legends and dark forces collide. The term “Iconoclast,” meaning “destroyer of religious beliefs or symbols,” is reinterpreted by Poll to represent a supernatural adversary challenging faith and morality.

The series follows characters like Kat Tovslosky, a feisty and independent protagonist, as they confront extraordinary threats rooted in spiritual warfare. Other titles in the series include Ingress, Gorgon, Dullahan, and the recently released Andalusia Forest, which shifts the setting to an abandoned amusement park teeming with chilling secrets. Poll’s works are noted for their vivid settings—often drawing on her love for Alaska—and their exploration of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.

Initially, Poll intended to write traditional mysteries, as evidenced by an unpublished manuscript titled A Study of Evil. However, her natural inclination toward the supernatural steered her toward thrillers, where she could weave her faith and fascination with the paranormal into gripping narratives. Her books often cite biblical references, such as 2 Corinthians 11:14 (“for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light”), to underscore the deceptive nature of evil.

Style and Themes

Poll’s writing style is characterized by fast-paced plots, well-developed characters, and a knack for creating goosebump-inducing suspense. Her stories balance eerie supernatural elements with a grounded sense of humanity, often featuring relatable figures like Kat, Sheriff Bart Andersen, and Grandma Bricken. A proud pet lover, Poll frequently incorporates animals into her narratives, adding warmth amid the tension.

Her central themes revolve around spiritual warfare, the resilience of the human spirit, and the triumph of good over evil. Readers and reviewers praise her ability to craft “creepy, cozy” tales that resonate emotionally while delivering thrills. Her Christian perspective sets her apart in the thriller genre, appealing to readers seeking faith-based fiction with an edge.

Personal Life and Interest

Beyond writing, Mary Ann Poll enjoys gardening, swimming, and spending time with her family. Her love for Alaska, where she lived for decades, permeates her early works, while her newer stories, like Andalusia Forest, showcase her ability to adapt her atmospheric storytelling to diverse settings. She is a charter member of Author Masterminds and remains deeply connected to her readers, often emphasizing that she writes for them as much as for herself.

Recognition and Impact

Dubbed “America’s Lady of Supernatural Thrillers,” Poll has earned acclaim for her unique contribution to Christian supernatural fiction. Her Iconoclast series has garnered a dedicated following, with reviewers comparing her to Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe, albeit with a distinctly biblical lens. Authors like Terry Palmer and Frank Redman have lauded her for her insight into spiritual realms and her storytelling prowess.

Current Work and Legacy

As of her latest updates, Poll continues to write, with Andalusia Forest marking her fifth entry in the Iconoclast series. She has expressed plans for future novels, including one set for release between October and November of an unspecified year, suggesting her creative well remains far from dry. Her journey from an administrative professional to a celebrated author stands as a testament to her resilience and passion for storytelling.

Mary Ann Poll’s work invites readers into a world where the supernatural is real, faith is tested, and ordinary heroes rise to meet the darkest of challenges. Her legacy lies in her ability to merge the eerie with the inspirational, offering thrills that linger long after the final page.

Connect with Mary Ann Poll:
https://www.maryannpoll.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ravenscoveiconoclast/