Thomas Gerald Franklin is an American crime fiction writer. He is author of the novels Hell at the Breech, Smonk, and Crooked Letter. Crooked Letter is a winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award. In addition, Franklin's first book is collection of short stories, Poachers. He is the husband of poet Beth Ann Fennelly and his next published novel is co-written with her, entitled The Tilted World.