Even as a small child, Shirley dreamed of being a writer. Born in Los Angeles, California, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at a young age. She obtained her BA degree in Radio Television, while working as Traffic Manager, scriptwriter and director for KNTV, a local ABC affiliate station.

Among other groups, Shirley is a member of Novelist's Inc, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers' Association, Willamette Valley Writers and the Oregon Writer's Colony.

The fourth book in the Sarah Woolson series, SCANDAL ON RINCON HILL, was released on March 30, 2010.