Janet Quin-Harkin (born 24 September 1941, Bath, Somerset[1]) is an author best known for her mystery novels for adults written under the name Rhys Bowen.
Janet Quin-Harkin | |
---|---|
Born | Bath, Somerset | 24 September 1941
Pen name | Rhys Bowen |
Occupation | novelist, dance teacher |
Nationality | British |
Education | London University |
Genre | historical mystery novels |
Website | |
rhysbowen |
Career
editBefore she began writing novels, Quin-Harkin worked in the drama department of the British Broadcasting Corporation in London and, later, for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney, Australia.[2] She also worked as a drama teacher and a dance teacher.[3]
In 1981, she wrote one of the first six books with which Bantam launched the Sweet Dreams series.[4]
In the 1990s Quin-Harkin began writing mystery novels for adults under the name Rhys Bowen. She has written three series under this name: one featuring British aristocrat Lady Georgiana ("Georgie") in 1930s England; one featuring Irish immigrant Molly Murphy working as a private detective in early 1900s New York City; and one featuring a Welsh police constable named Evan Evans.[2]
She is also author of the Boyfriend Club series for young adults featuring four freshmen girls in Alta Mesa High School (Arizona): Roni, Ginger, Justine, and Karen.
Personal life
editQuin-Harkin graduated from the University of London in 1963.[5] She moved to the United States when she married John Quin-Harkin.[3]
She is the parent of four children. She now divides her time between Marin County, California, and Arizona.[2]
Works as Janet Quin-Harkin
edit- Peter Penny's Dance (Dial Press, 1976), picture book illustrated by Anita Lobel
- Benjamin's Balloon (Parents Magazine, 1978), p.b. ill. Robert Censoni
- Septimus Bean and his Amazing Machine (Parents, 1979), p.b. illus. Art Cumings
- Magic Growing Powder (Parents, 1980), p.b. ill. Art Cumings
- Ten-boy summer (Bantam Books, 1982), Sweet Dreams Romance
- Helpful Hattie (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1983), 58 pp., ill. Susanna Natti
- Wanted—date for Saturday night (1985)
- My Best Enemy (Bantam, 1987), Sweet Dreams Romance
- The boy next door (Bantam, 1995), Love Stories 4
- Who do you love? (Bantam, 1996), Love Stories 13
- Torn apart (Bantam, 1999), Love Stories 18
- Love potion (Avon Flare, 1999), Enchanted Hearts 4, LCCN 98-94951
Works as Rhys Bowen
edit
Constable Evan Evans seriesedit
Lady Georgiana "Georgie" seriesedit
Lady Georgiana short storiesedit
|
Molly Murphy seriesedit
Molly Murphy short storiesedit
|
Stand-alone novels
edit- Above the Bay of Angels (2020)
World War I novels
edit- The Victory Garden (2019)
World War II novels
edit- In Farleigh Field (2017)
- The Tuscan Child (2018)
- The Venice Sketchbook (2021)
- Where the Sky Begins (2022)
- The Paris Assignment (August 2023)
- The Rose Arbor (2024)
Anthologies and collections
editAnthology or Collection | Contents | Publication
Date |
---|---|---|
An Apple for a Creature[10] | Low School | Aug 2012 |
Honors
edit- 2000 "The Seal of the Confessional" – finalist, Agatha and Anthony Awards
- 2001 Murphy's Law – Agatha Award for Best Novel
- 2002 Death of Riley – finalist, Agatha Award for Best Novel
- 2004 "Doppelganger" – finalist, Anthony Award for best short story
- 2007 "Oh Danny Boy" – Macavity Award Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Novel
- 2008 "Please Watch Your Step" – Macavity Award for best short story
- 2009 "A Royal Pain – Macavity Award Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Novel
- 2011 Naughty in Nice – Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel
- 2017 In Farleigh Field – Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel, Left Coast Crime Lefty Award (Bruce Alexander Memorial Award for Best Historical Mystery), Macavity Award Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Novel
References
edit- ^ Elizabeth Blakesley Lindsay, ed., Great Women Mystery Writers, 2nd ed. Greenwood Press, 2007, p. 27.
- ^ a b c "Rhys Bowen: Still a place for faith in mystery writer's body of work". The Visitor. Catholic News Service. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ a b DeBruyne., Ammon, Bette (1993). Rip-roaring reads for reluctant teen readers. Libraries Unlimited. pp. 126. ISBN 156308094X. OCLC 44963622.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Quin-Harkin, Janet (6 September 2014). "Why 1980s teen lit is still relevant today". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ See the Rhys-Bowen-Website, retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Rhys Bowen: New York Times Bestselling Author". Rhys Bowen. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "The Last Mrs. Summers by Rhys Bowen: 9780451492876 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "The Royal Spyness Series".
- ^ a b "The Molly Murphy Series".
- ^ "An Apple for the Creature". goodreads.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
External links
edit- Official website
- Interview by Claire E. White, The Internet Writing Journal (writerswrite.com/journal), 2001
- Janet Quin-Harkin at Library of Congress, with 91 library catalogue records
- Rhys Bowen (pseudonym) at LC Authorities, with 39 records, and Bowen at WorldCat