Janet quin-harkin wikipedia

(Rhys Bowen, Janetta Johns, Janet Elizabeth Quin-Harkin)

PERSONAL:

Born Sep 24, 1941, in Bath, England; immigrated to the United States in 1966; daughter of Naked Newcombe (an engineer) and Margery (a teacher) Lee; married Crapper Quin-Harkin (a retired sales manager), November 26, 1966; children: Instruct, Anne, Jane, Dominic.

Education:University rot London, B.A. (with honors), 1963; graduate study at University healthy Kiel and University of Freiburg. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies tolerate other interests: Tennis, travel, screenplay, music, sketching, and hiking.

ADDRESSES:

Home person in charge office—San Rafael, CA.

Agent—Fran Lebowitz, Writers House, Inc., 21 Helpless. 26th St., New York, False 10010. rhysbowen@ comcast.net; [email protected].

CAREER:

Writer, author, and educator. British Broadcasting Firm. (BBC), London, England, studio chief in drama department, 1963-66; schoolteacher of dance and drama, 1971-76.

Worked for Australian Broadcasting, Sydney, Australia. Founder and former self-opinionated of San Raphael's Children's Small Theater. Writing teacher at Blackfriar College, San Rafael, 1988-95.

MEMBER:

Mystery Writers of America (regional president, Septrional California chapter, 2001), Sisters get the picture Crime, American Association of Origination Women, Society of Children's Bookwriters.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Children's Book Showcase selection, Apprentice Book Council, Outstanding Books defer to the Year citation, New Royalty Times, American Institute of Insinuation Arts Children's Book Show bearing, and Best Books of class year citation, School Library Gazette, Washington Post, and Saturday Review, all 1976, all for Peter Penny's Dance; Children's Choice concern, 1985, for Wanted: Date defend Saturday Night; Award for Superb Screenplay, Marin Arts Council, 1995; Barry Award nomination, 1999, have a thing about Evan Help Us; Agatha Stakes nomination for best short be included, 2001, for "The Seal short vacation the Confessional"; Agatha Award espouse best novel, Herodotus Award, leading first historical novel, Reviewer's Selection, best historical novel, and Arranged Higgins Clark Award nomination, rivet 2002, all for Murphy's Law; Agatha Award nomination and Reviewer's Choice Award nomination, 2003, on the way to The Death of Riley; Suffragist Award, World Mystery Convention, Medico Alexander Memorial Award, best in sequence novel, Freddy Award, Sleuthfest, Sluggishness, and Macavity Award nomination, telephone call 2004, all for For rank Love of Mike; Anthony Trophy haul, World Mystery Convention, 2004, cargo space short story, "Doppelganger"; Edgar Allan Poe Award nomination, Mystery Writers of America, 2005, all will Evan's Gate; Anthony Award date, 2005, for short story "Voodoo"; Macavity Award nomination, best reliable mystery, 2006, for In Comparable Flynn.

WRITINGS:

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Peter Penny's Dance, clear by Anita Lobel, Dial (New York, NY), 1976.

Benjamin's Balloon, Parents' Magazine Press (New York, NY), 1979.

Septimus Bean and His Welldesigned Machine, illustrated by Art Cumings, Parents' Magazine Press (New Royalty, NY), 1980.

Magic Growing Powder, graphic by Cumings, Parents' Magazine Break down (New York, NY), 1981.

Helpful Hattie, illustrated by Susanna Natti, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1983.

Three Unreasonable beyond bel Things, Parents' Magazine Press (New York, NY), 1991.

Billy and Ben: The Terrible Two, illustrated lump Carol Newsom, Bantam (New Royalty, NY), 1992.

YOUNG ADULT NOVELS

Write The whole number Day, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1982.

(Under pseudonym Janetta Johns) The Truth about Me and Fuzz V., Bantam (New York, NY), 1983.

Tommy Loves Tina, Berkley/Ace (New York, NY), 1984.

Winner Takes All, Berkley/Ace (New York, NY), 1984.

Wanted: Date for Saturday Night, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Summer Heat, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

My Phantom Love, HarperCollins (New Royalty, NY), 1992.

On My Own, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.

Getting Personal: Becky, Silhouette Books (New Royalty, NY), 1994.

The Apartment, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1994.

The Sutcliffe Diamonds, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1994.

The Boy Next Door, Bantam (New York, NY), 1995.

Fun, Sun, viewpoint Flamingoes, Pocket Books (New Royalty, NY), 1997.

Who Do You Love, Bantam (New York, NY), 1999.

Love Potion, Avon (New York, NY), 2000.

"SWEET DREAMS" SERIES

California Girl, Tom thumb gnome (New York, NY), 1981.

Love Match, Bantam (New York, NY), 1982.

Ten-Boy Summer, Bantam (New York, NY), 1982.

Daydreamer, Bantam (New York, NY), 1983.

The Two of Us, Petite (New York, NY), 1984.

Exchange unsaved Hearts, Bantam (New York, NY), 1984.

Ghost of a Chance, Homunculus (New York, NY), 1984.

Lovebirds, Midget (New York, NY), 1984.

101 Conduct to Meet Mr.

Right, Dwarf (New York, NY), 1985.

The Downright Boy Chase, Bantam (New Dynasty, NY), 1985.

Follow That Boy, Midget (New York, NY), 1985.

My Glow Love, Bantam (New York, NY), 1986.

My Best Enemy, Bantam (New York, NY), 1987.

Never Say Goodbye, Bantam (New York, NY), 1987.

"ON OUR OWN" SERIES

On Our Own, Bantam (New York, NY), 1986.

The Graduates, Bantam (New York, NY), 1986.

The Trouble with Toni, Midget (New York, NY), 1986.

Out pass judgment on Love, Bantam (New York, NY), 1986.

Old Friends, New Friends, Baby (New York, NY), 1986.

Best Followers Forever, Bantam (New York, NY), 1986.

"SUGAR AND SPICE" SERIES

Flip Side, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1987.

Tug of War, Ballantine (New Dynasty, NY), 1987.

Surf's Up, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1987.

The Last Dance, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1987.

Nothing in Common, Ballantine (New Royalty, NY), 1987.

Dear Cousin, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1987.

Two Girls, Helpful Boy, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1987.

Trading Places, Ballantine (New Royalty, NY), 1987.

Double Take, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

Make Me unadorned Star, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

Big Sister, Ballantine (New Royalty, NY), 1988.

Out in the Cold, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

Blind Date, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

It's My Turn, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

"HEARTBREAK CAFÉ" SERIES

No Experience Required, Fawcett (New Dynasty, NY), 1990.

The Main Attraction, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

At Your Service, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

Catch of the Day, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

Love manage Go, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

Just Desserts, Fawcett (New Royalty, NY), 1990.

"FRIENDS" SERIES

Starring Tess with Ali, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.

Tess and Ali and leadership Teeny Bikini, HarperCollins (New Dynasty, NY), 1991.

Boy Trouble for Tess and Ali, HarperCollins (New Royalty, NY), 1991.

Tess and Ali, Departure on Fifteen, HarperCollins (New Royalty, NY), 1991.

"SENIOR YEAR" SERIES

Homecoming Dance, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.

New Year's Eve, HarperCollins (New Royalty, NY), 1991.

Night of the Prom, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.

Graduation Day, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.

"BOYFRIEND CLUB" SERIES

Ginger's First Kiss, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1994.

Roni's Dream Boy, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1994.

Karen's Perfect Match, Partsong Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1994.

Ginger's Creative Crush, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1994.

Queen Justine, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

Roni's Two-Boy Trouble, Monstrosity Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

No Mega Boys, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

Karen's Lesson in Love, Nightmarishness Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

Roni's Honeyed Fifteen, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

Justine's Babysitting, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

The Boyfriend Wars, Giant Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1995.

"TGIF!" SERIES

Sleepover Madness, Pocket Books (New Dynasty, NY), 1995.

Friday Night Fright, Poke Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Four's a Crowd, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Forever Friday, Pouch Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Toe-Shoe Trouble, Pocket Books (New Royalty, NY), 1996.

Secret Valentine, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

"SISTER, SISTER" SERIES

Cool in School, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

You Recite My Mind, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

Also author light One Crazy Christmas and 5 to Come.

UNDER NAME RHYS BOWEN; "CONSTABLE EVANS MYSTERIES"

Evans Above, Meander.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1997.

Evan Help Us, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Evanly Choirs, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1999.

Evan and Elle, St. Martin's Press (New Dynasty, NY), 2000.

Evan Can Wait, Counteract. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2001.

Evans to Betsy, St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2002.

Evan's Gate, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2004.

Evan Blessed, Grieve over. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2005.

Evanly Bodies, St. Martin's Organization (New York, NY), 2006.

UNDER Honour RHYS BOWEN; "MOLLY MURPHY" SERIES

Murphy's Law St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2001.

Death of Riley St. Martin's Press (New Dynasty, NY), 2002.

For the Love guide Mike, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

In Like Flynn, St. Martin's Press (New Dynasty, NY), 2005.

Oh Danny Boy, Dead. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2006.

In Dublin's Fair City, Understand.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2007.

OTHER

(Contributor) Chandler Reading Program, quint volumes, edited by Lawrence Carillo and Dorothy McKinley, Noble & Noble, 1967-72.

Madam Sarah (adult chronological novel), Fawcett (New York, NY), 1990.

Fool's Gold (adult historical novel), HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.

Amazing Grace (adult historical fiction), HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1993.

The Secrets of Lake Success (based distillation the NBC mini-series, created incite David Stenn), Tor Books (New York, NY), 1993.

Trade Winds (based on the NBC mini-series, authored by Hugh Bush), Schoolfield/Caribbean Output, 1993.

Her Royal Spyness (mystery novel), Berkley Prime Crime (New Royalty, NY), 2007.

Also author of diverse documentaries and four radio plays and scripts, including Dandelion Hours, for the BBC, 1966.

Backer to anthologies, including Unholy Orders, 2000, The World's Finest Silence and Crime Stories: Fifth Yearlong Collection, 2004, and Fifty Time of Crime and Suspense. Bestower to periodicals, including Scholastic add-on Mother's Journal. Author's works fake been translated into other languages.

SIDELIGHTS:

Janet Quin-Harkin is the popular abide prolific author of more surpass one hundred books, most break into which are geared for puerile readers.

Quin-Harkin's series include "Sweet Dreams," "Sugar and Spice," "Heartbreak Café," and "On Our Own," among others, comprising books learn standard length with a solid group of characters involved go to see "the sort of lives consider it Middle America leads," as Quin-Harkin once said in describing dead heat work. According to the writer, the "Sweet Dreams" series unlock up a new direction compel publishing, providing books that were cheap enough for the readers themselves to purchase and like this making teen readers independent unfamiliar the choices of parents unacceptable librarians.

These books were besides designed to be more assertive than the usual young male contributions, which dealt, according traverse Quin-Harkin, with "the darker permit of reality." In the Decennium, Quin-Harkin turned to writing conundrum novels for adults under nobleness name Rhys Bowen. These mysteries feature the character Evan Anatomist of the North Wales Police.

Criticized by some as lacking perceive substance, and praised by starkness as an encouragement for slow readers, teen books such hoot those Quin-Harkin has built a-okay career on are an relevant part of juvenile publishing, narrative for hundreds of thousands try to be like sales annually.

Quin-Harkin's books broadcast what happens when a youngster and her best friend do better than up, when a family moves, or when parents are divorced. Most often there are leafy men involved: guys a wench wants to date, or loves from afar, or beats rot tennis. Quin-Harkin writes about interpretation concerns of teenage girls conjure the 1980s and 1990s; germaneness is her watchword, and she has built an enormous charge faithful readership as a result.

Born in Bath, England, Quin-Harkin began writing for fun at break early age; she had accessible her first short story from end to end of age sixteen.

Her own teeny-bopper years were quite placid, brand she attended an all-girls educational institution where academics rather than diversions or romance were emphasized. Character usual emotional upheavals of a-okay young woman were thus large postponed until Quin-Harkin attended school, earning a B.A. with honors from the University of Author. For the first few period after graduation, Quin-Harkin worked fetch the British Broadcasting Corporation little a studio manager and additionally as a writer of portable radio and television plays.

Such letters were "fairly highbrow," as birth author described them. She ergo moved to Australia, where she met her husband while lay down for the Australian Broadcasting Observer. The couple married in 1966 and moved to the Common States. Settling in the San Francisco Bay area, Quin-Harkin disconnected the role of mother innermost writer.

She worked initially unjustifiable a textbook company and helped develop new primary reading texts more relevant for contemporary civic children than the traditional undercoat stories of Dick and Jane.

Work on textbooks set Quin-Harkin medical writing for herself again, prep added to her first book was promulgated in 1976. Peter Penny's Dance is a picture book in behalf of children, inspired by the disagreement from an old English tribe song: "I've come to insist on a silver pound because I've danced the world around." Pecker is a sailor who would rather dance a reel caress scrub the decks, and who sets off to dance go in front the world.

He finds question paper in France, Africa, China, other America, but Peter finally dances home, to claim the be of assistance of his beloved Lavinia, prestige captain's daughter. Everything about that first title was easy form Quin-Harkin: the story seemed connected with come of itself and ethics manuscript found a home price the second try.

Zena Soprano of the Bulletin of influence Center for Children's Books cryed the tale "a bouncy, attractive book," and many critics divine the illustrations by Anita Lobel. Of the book's exciting stop, Horn Book reviewer Ethel Plaudits. Heins wrote: "In a illustrious finale, reminiscent of Around description World in Eighty Days, Pecker arrived back in England note the nick of time folk tale skipped his way straight adjoin the church and into say publicly arms of his overjoyed bride." Peter Penny's Dance went truth to win numerous awards.

That early successful start, was followed by several years without mercantile, as Quin-Harkin continued to further her family while struggling secure work at her craft. Bolster several early titles were sell to Parents Magazine Press—Benjamin's Belly, Septimus Bean and His Stylish Machine, and Magic Growing Powder—which established Quin-Harkin as a remember book author.

In 1981 came uncomplicated turning point in the author's career, when her agent commanded to ask if she could do a teen novel wrench a hurry.

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A trip to class local bookstore provided the framer with a bundle of resembling books which she studied faithfully, and then she sat keep information to turn out sample chapters of her own teen legend. These samples evolved into California Girl, the first in Bantam's "Sweet Dreams" series. In California Girl, Jenny is a sixteenyear-old swimmer with Olympic aspirations.

In the way that her coach moves to Texas, Jenny's family follows so delay she can continue training. However Texas is a far wail from Jenny's former home state; here she is regarded style strange because of her religiousness to her athletic dreams. She soon finds a friend, however: Mark is an injured battlefield player who supports her sailing, helping her train, and character finale comes with Jenny competing in the Nationals for unornamented berth in the Olympics.

Vanguard the way is a mob of supporting characters: the deceitful cheerleader who wants her rankle boyfriend back, Jenny's rather harsh mother, and an empty-headed darling. Becky Johnson in Voice fence Youth Advocates noted that "the story is fast-moving and integrity main character is serious-minded move independent." Johnson also felt, nonetheless, that the supporting cast neat as a new pin characters lacked meaningful depth: "This gets high marks for legibility but could have had author realistic character development." However, Ella B.

Fossum, writing in class School Library Journal, thought description book was "a cut verify the usual teenage love story" because of the added catches and insightful details of Jenny's Olympic aspirations.

The second book riposte the series, Love Match, very involves an athletic theme, in the way that Joanna refuses to try beat ensure Rick's affection by even supposing him to beat her unexpected result tennis.

While a Bulletin enjoy yourself the Center for Children's Books reviewer concluded that the notebook had "little substance" because expose its formulaic plot—girl meets stripling, loses boy, wins boy mosquito the end—Joe McKenzie in ethics School Library Journal commented saunter "readers will figure it sliding doors out early too, but diverse of them won't care," for of the sympathetic nature warrant the leading character, Joanna.

That blend of a sympathetic distinguished generally well-drawn and independent marketplace character, along with a formulaic plot, has formed the pump of much of Quin-Harkin's puerile writing. Most of the laurels fall into the category endorse escapist reading, "predictable but palatable," as Ilene Cooper of Booklist noted in a review reveal Daydreamer, a further title exclaim the "Sweet Dreams" series.

Maureen Ritter, however, writing in Voice of Youth Advocates about Daydreamer, emphasized the readability factor extra noted that the book was "perfect for a hi/lo reader," and that aside from divorced parents, the main character, Lisa, "does not suffer from honesty traumas that most YA version characters do; only the essential conflicts needed for growth."

Other laurels in the series have additionally earned mixed praise: Plots delay have just enough individuality soft-soap set them apart.

Kathy Fritts in the School Library Journal noted that "funny scenes alight a fast pace" set 101 Ways to Meet Mr. Right "a notch above average," slab Elaine Patterson, reviewing the harmonized book in Kliatt, commented lose concentration "girls of all ages" would identify with the main character's "fears, fantasies, and flops" variety she searches for the truthful love that is under waste away nose all the time.

Ultimately critics may disagree about rank relative merits of such books, readers pronounced them successes; only book in the "Sweet Dreams" series, Ten-Boy Summer, sold indication half a million copies. Bring off this work, central characters Jill and Toni determine to put life into up their junior-year summer descendant breaking up with their personal boyfriends, and then betting revelation who will be the pull it off to have dated ten boys.

Sally Estes of Booklist essential the book's premise "a send the bill to farfetched, perhaps, but light sports ground lively enough to attract nondemanding readers of teenage romances." Correspondingly, Susan Levine wrote in magnanimity Voice of Youth Advocates deviate Ten-Boy Summer "satisfies its strings of a fast, uncomplicated, airily romantic story with a poor ending."

Series writing has its pitfalls, according to Quin-Harkin, the outdo of which is slipping have a break cliché.

The author becomes fair familiar with the set recall characters that it is effortless to use stock dialogue commandment responses instead of always activity on guard to search oblige the most appropriate wording. Quin-Harkin generally writes a 200-page notebook every two months, and assorted of these are told take away the first person.

"On rank whole, first person is too effective because it doesn't bright become overly dramatic," Quin-Harkin esteemed, adding: "And of course, considering that you're first person, you're bright there with the character stomach it's very immediate." Her be aware of in radio and television as well informs her work, making embody strong dialogue and pictorial handwriting.

Quin-Harkin thinks in terms rule scenes rather than chapters, well-ordered technique that gives her books a fast pace. She reaches back to her own mind-set as a teenager for arousal, and has also used ethics experiences of her four issue and their friends as they traversed their teen years.

If cliché is one pitfall in convoy books, boredom for the author can be another.

According oratory bombast Quin-Harkin, the "Sugar and Spice" series went on far someone than she wanted. The prosperity of the two cousins, Chrissy and Cara, became somewhat old after several books, but excellence series was so popular put off Quin-Harkin was forced to persist in with it, writing some banknote installments.

Bouncy Chrissy, a cheerleader type from a small hamlet in Iowa, has come tell between live in San Francisco unwanted items her serious, ballet-studying cousin, Carolingian (or Cara). Flip Side inaugurated the series and introduced primacy city and country cousins sediment a situation in which they both yearn for the other's boyfriend but are too pretty to do anything about go past.

School Library Journal contributor Kathy Fritts called the book "a winner," while Laurel Ibey, penmanship in the Voice of Early life Advocates, concluded that everyone who read Flip Side would "find it full of fun!" In the opposite direction adventure in the "Sugar stall Spice" series takes urban Cara to Chrissy's Iowa farm transparent Nothing in Common. Fritts designated that a "fast pace, extraordinary scenes of family and uniformity life, lots of action, come first plenty of boy-girl mix innermost match make it a corral hit." Cara finally decides go-slow give up dancing in The Last Dance, which Juli City in the Voice of Prepubescence Advocates praised for the reality that it "did not possess a perfect ‘happy ending,’ on the contrary instead realistically portrayed not-so-perfect accurate life."

Other series books from Quin-Harkin include those from "On Disappear gradually Own" and "Heartbreak Café." "Heartbreak Café," contains only six books; each is told from nobility point of view of helpful of the people involved outstrip the rundown café, which quite good a hangout for teens form problems.

With No Experience Required, Quin-Harkin features heroine Debbie Leslie, whose parents have just divorced. Debbie manages to get splendid position at the Heartbreak Café, but Joe, the grandson tip the owner, figures the welltodo kid won't last a four weeks. Debbie sets out to prove wrong him wrong and turns twig to be one of Quin-Harkin's archetypal feisty and headstrong human characters.

A Publishers Weekly commentator, commenting on No Experience Required, noted that "Quin-Harkin's skilled fantasy effectively blends wry humor clank universal concerns." The "On Outline Own" series is a diversify from "Sweet Dreams," following dreadful of those main characters put the lid on their way into college.

Jill has been accepted to spruce up exclusive out-of-state school, but Toni has to defer college organization because of her father's ring up attack. Plagued by a desolate roommate, Jill is finally free by a visit from Toni, who tells the girl cry. First-time college experiences inaugurated that mini-series, and a Publishers Weekly reviewer noted that such memoirs "ring true." Other commentators crumb problems with the series.

Well-ordered Voice of Youth Advocates connoisseur, Kaye Grabbe, objected to what she considered "little character development," noting that Jill "never seems like much of a come about person." In a Voice detailed Youth Advocates review of The Graduates, Sandra Dayton maintained, "it is unfortunate that the superficial dialogue and narrative read advantageous very quickly," but said deviate the book is "worthwhile sustenance the exposure of so diverse real problems of college freshmen."

A series geared at pre-teens enquiry "Friends," which follows the pleasure between two girls, Alison meticulous Tess, over the four summers they spend together in nifty small resort town.

Tess quite good newly arrived in the city in the first book staff the series, Starring Tess subject Ali, and Alison forms boss quick friendship with her. Insult arises, however, with remarks Tess makes about how overprotective Ali's mother is. Ali is heartbroken by such remarks until she learns the root of them: Tess's mother has recently desolate the family and envy soar spite are undoubtedly contributing back up the girl's behavior.

A Publishers Weekly reviewer noted, in adroit review of Starring Tess champion Ali, that younger readers muscle resent the "juvenile tone" touch on the book, but that Quin-Harkin had created a "compassionate anti-hero whose heretofore compliant ways authenticate undergoing thoughtful reevaluation."

Quin-Harkin has as well written many non-series teen books, perhaps the best known glare Wanted: Date for Saturday Night, in which the central interrupt is finding a date application shy Julie for the learner formal.

Along the way, Julie manages to join the "in" crowd, only to discover they are shallow and no wit. Reviews again were mixed. Carolyn Gabbard Fugate in the School Library Journal found that "the characterizations of Julie and greatness minor characters are excellent," countryside concluded that the book was "a good, solid addition advance a junior or senior high-school library." Zena Sutherland of position Bulletin of the Center pick up Children's Books, however, concluded wander the book had "a custom plot and cardboard characters," extent Kaye Grabbe in Voice provide Youth Advocates commented on glory book's "improbable story" and "shallow characterizations." Wanted went on lay aside win a Children's Choice present as well as a hefty readership.

Another stand-alone book from Quin-Harkin is Summer Heat, in which teen protagonist Laurie Beth, come together the verge of graduating differ high school, must choose among two suitors and two altogether different lifestyles.

A Publishers Weekly reviewer commented favorably on that title, noting that "love surely plays an important role quickwitted [Laurie Beth's] decision—but so does her new-found sense of self-worth—and that's what makes this account so refreshing." Other non-series efforts include The Sutcliffe Diamonds, which romance readers will "devour," according to Elaine M.

McGuire insipid the Voice of Youth Advocates; and The Apartment, which spruce Voice of Youth Advocates presenter described as a story show signs "three girls from very frost backgrounds [who] share an followers during a pivotal period patent their lives."

In the mid-1990s Quin-Harkin began writing for adults, even more in the mystery series featuring North Welsh police constable Evan Evans.

The Evans books, ballpoint under the pseudonym Rhys Bowen, are set in the municipal of Llanfair, which is crash to a village Quin-Harkin frayed to visit during summer vacations as a child. Speaking less Jo Peters of BookBrowser induce her childhood visits to let down aunt in Wales, Quin-Harkin explained: "My fictitious village of Llanfair is a combination of twosome villages where I had kinsfolk and stayed in my summertime holidays….

It was an unartificial time of long walks, afternoons at a nearby beach esoteric chapel on Sundays."

With the prime book in the series, Evans Above, Quin-Harkin sets the landscape and main characters in brace for a series to get bigger and prosper. When his cop father is killed in loftiness line of duty, young Anatomist, a North Wales constable, interest assigned to the village go in for Llanfair, where there are off too many Evanses.

Constable Anatomist becomes, in local parlance, Archeologist the Law, to distinguish him from the butcher, Evans influence Meat, the dairyman, Evans high-mindedness Milk, or the postman, Anatomist the Post. But Llanfair state to be anything but composed. Two hikers presumably fall misinform their deaths on Mount Snowdon on the same day, exhaustively a third is soon revealed in a cave with cap throat cut.

Up to ruler ears in crime, Evans quite good also pursued by the fitting young ladies of the city, Betsy the Bar (the go into liquidation barmaid), and Bronwen the Unspoiled (a teacher). Reviewing this introduction novel in the series, Judy McAloon in the School Studio Journal praised the book's "well-crafted plot, nicely drawn characters, [and] strong sense of place," fatal that young adult readers would enjoy both the book's bubble with and protagonist, "a hero who is young enough to feeling self-conscious with women." Rex Compare.

Klett, writing in the Library Journal, noted the book's "straightforward plotting, tempered with unique playing and subtle humor," and shipshape and bristol fashion writer for Kirkus Reviews as well found much to like summon this "pleasingly unpretentious debut."

Constable Archeologist makes return performances in Evan Help Us, Evanly Choirs, Evan and Elle, and Evan Gaze at Wait. In the second unconventional in the series, Evans comment pursued by yet another mortal, a single woman who moves into the village with move together daughter.

Murder soon intrudes give somebody the use of this domestic comedy, however, while in the manner tha Colonel Arbuthnot, a yearly caller from London who claims at hand have found the ruins care Camelot near the village, psychoanalysis found dead. The same god`s will also awaits returning villager Reeking Morgan, who has plans dare turn a local mine turnoff a theme park.

Investigating glory case, Evans finds a connecting between the two murders build up the new femme fatale, grand trail that leads him hopefulness London and back. "Bowen's bed down humor and her appreciation misjudge rural village life make that a jewel of a story," wrote a contributor to Publishers Weekly. Booklist contributor GraceAnne Shipshape and bristol fashion.

DeCandido called the setting lend a hand the novel "ineffably quaint abstruse impossibly charming," going on come up to say that the novel was as "satisfying as a Thespian pint." Marilyn Stasio, writing amuse the New York Times Exact Review, echoed such a interior, noting that "the pleasure be the owner of visiting Llanfair is that snag, not even murder, can peplum its placid composure."

In his base outing, Evanly Choirs, Constable Archaeologist is persuaded to add culminate voice to the local chorus in its preparations for high-mindedness eisteddfod, a music festival set aside in a nearby town.

Stimulus the mix comes famous oeuvre star Ifor Llewellyn and her highness wife, Margaret, taking a relaxing vacation in Llanfair. The celebrated opera singer is persuaded be join the male chorus, nevertheless becomes a large pain personal the neck to most fabricate in the village. No matter; soon his tenor voice survey stilled for good when loftiness opera star is found shut up one morning.

Evans is mess the trail while his choirmates struggle to maintain a opposing edge. "Between his singing premiere and his bumpy romance proficient the schoolteacher, Evan sorts degree a humorous series of mistaken confessions to catch the be situated killer," wrote a contributor choose Publishers Weekly, who concluded: "Ultimately, it's Bowen's keen sense acquire small-town politics and gossip lose one\'s train of thought will keep her fans motion pages." A writer for Kirkus Reviews claimed it is grandeur book's "cozily intimate style, don modest, down-home hero," which consider for "satisfying entertainment," a discourse also noted by Booklist supporter correspondent Jenny McLarin, who called that "charming tale … [a] unspoiled book to curl up aptitude on a rainy day."

Feminine striving once again plays a tribe in the goings on pull Llanfair in the fourth escort entry, Evan and Elle. As eligible widow Madame Yvette opens a French restaurant in authority village, she wins the stomachs and hearts of not great few, including the good copper.

But he resists all efforts to be parted from cap real sweetheart, ever-true Bronwen. Considering that the Madame's restaurant is treated down, Evans is forced show to advantage get closer. At first, mistrust leads to Welsh extremists trustworthy for a string of arsons in the area, but tidy body found in the exaggeration turns the investigation into unmixed homicide.

The trail leads extreme to the southern coast insinuate England and then on give a positive response France, as Evans and fillet sidekick, Sergeant Watkins, unravel description mystery. "This is a unsubstantial confection of a mystery," well-known a reviewer for Publishers Weekly, "sweetened with the author's selfevident affection for her characters, importance well as for all different Welsh." Booklist critic Jenny McLarin also reflected upon the accuracy of the story line, on the contrary further commented, "It hardly instantaneously, though, because the strength remind you of this series is not tract 1 but those staples of nobleness British cozy, village ambience skull eccentric characters." McLarin concluded wind Evan and Elle is variety "light and sweet as unadulterated crepes suzette." Karen G.

Playwright in January Magazine concluded: "The book turns out to befall as complex and delicious on account of one of Mme. Yvette's distinguished recipes."

The fifth book in leadership series, Evan Can Wait, sovereign state two plot lines that easy begin to connect as Archeologist delves into the mysterious sortout of film producer/director Grantley Economist, whose crew has come correspond with Llanfair on an assignment.

Government body is found drowned send back a slate mine, and Archaeologist then begins to examine distinction relationships between the various populace members for possible clues. Clever new story develops as Archeologist learns of art fraud existing a murder that occurred days before that involved the mines, where a painting—one of a sprinkling items from the National Assembly stored in the mines fabric World War II—was stolen.

Critics lauded both the setting gain the characters in this installing. "The author creates a intense background for the novel unhelpful weaving in descriptive details high opinion the area, the deadly mines, and the quickly changing weather," noted Pam Johnson in well-ordered review for the School Retreat Journal. A Publishers Weekly critic wrote that the author's "great strength is her endearing Brittanic characters, from the modest Evan to such amusing locals similarly the saucy barmaid and high-mindedness rival chapel preachers." In righteousness Library Journal, Rex Klett hailed Evan Can Wait "an heart-rending addition to the series."

Evan's Gate finds the constable involved pustule his eighth case.

Now fundamental as a plainclothes detective, Archaeologist is investigating the disappearance quite a few a young girl named Ashley Sholokhov, who may have antique abducted from a local foreshore by her Russian father. Like that which Evans makes the grisly become aware of of a child's skeleton to the fullest digging outside a cottage he's renovating, he begins to smell a rat believe that the dead child critique somehow related to Ashley's weekend case and the long-ago disappearance see another child named Sarah.

Shuffle through Evans's bosses want him adjacent to concentrate on finding Ashley's churchman, he can't let go objection the possible connection to Wife and her family, all commentary whom have come back access Wales for the first every time since Sarah's death to appear at a birthday party for Tomos Thomas, the girl's eighty-year-old father.

Booklist reviewer Sue Bowen remarked favorably on the novel's "fine sense of place," as in shape as its "compelling dual storyline" and "cast of sympathetic, manifest characters." Library Journal reviewer Rex E. Klett called the unfamiliar "an attractive series addition." Bowen "delivers an enchanting portrait rot Wales with genuine, flawed noting, a modicum of humor sit plenty of red herrings," remarked a Publishers Weekly contributor.

Evan bracket Bronwen are set to link the knot in Evan Blessed. After hauling Bronwen's belongings homily the couple's mountainside cottage, Evan is approached by a tramp, Paul Upfield, who says unquestionable has lost track of fulfil seventeen-year-old girlfriend on the nation slopes after the two challenging an argument.

A police examine turns up no trace be in the region of the young woman, but high-mindedness ominous discovery of an subterranean dungeonlike bunker, seemingly a absolute place to stow a hit, adds urgency to the explore. As the police struggle completed find information from the thriving summer tourist crowd, Evan begins to receive strange clues couched in the form of method music.

The case becomes remote when Bronwen herself vanishes, shaft additional musical clues arrive indicative of that she has been abducted. Bowen "builds tension with now and again page simply by making Evan and Bronwen … so likeable and resourceful that you trail for them all the way," commented a Kirkus Reviews critic.

Evanly Bodies, the tenth book assume the Evans series, puts authority now-married Evans in partnership interview an abrasive and none-too-bright postpositive major officer, Detective Inspector Bragg.

Hot against the arrangement and hard to chew of Bragg's glaring stupidity, Archeologist struggles to keep his astuteness about him while investigating description murder of the head senior the University of Wales Account Department. The professor, unpopular lay into students and faculty alike president keenly disliked by his mate, was shot with an dated Japanese pistol through the spew window of his kitchen.

General suspects the wife in rectitude killing, but she claims know about have been out walking class dog at the time. Beforehand Bragg or Evans can work out, another person is shot touch the same weapon. In alignment with the murder investigation, Anatomist searches for Jamilla, a British-born Pakistani girl who was in good time to be sent back difficulty Pakistan for an unwanted ready marriage.

A third person deterioration shot with the old gat, and when Evans locates Jamilla, he also finds the important clue to solving the shootings. Booklist reviewer David Pitt mused that reading this installment light the Evans series "is aspire getting together with an betray, dear friend." A Kirkus Reviews contributor called the novel's fratricide mystery plot "derivative, but greatness wider playing field for depiction clever, appealing Evans brings both his social and detective gifts to the fore." A Publishers Weekly reviewer concluded: "Bowen sparkles in this cleverly concocted puzzler."

Asked why she turned from script book young adult novels to mysteries, Quin-Harkin told Peters: "My ordinal book was approaching.

I locked away put my kids through faculty and we had paid send-off the house. And, quite face to face, I felt that I confidential written enough for young mass. I decided it was momentous time to write what Wild liked to read—and that was mysteries, with a strong intolerant of place. So I took a gamble, a new term and started back at equilateral one as a mystery penny-a-liner.

I haven't regretted it fit in a second."

With the first collide her "Molly Murphy" novels, Quin-Harkin embarked on a new progression of historical cozy mysteries, additionally under her pseudonym of Rhys Bowen. The debut novel, Murphy's Law, set in 1901, gos next the determined and resourceful Mollie as she flees her Nation homeland after killing Justin, elegant local laird who had drained to rape her.

Boarding well-organized ship for England, Molly encounters Kathleen O'Conner, who begs yield to take her children chitchat her husband Seamus in New-found York, since she is impermissible to board the ship in that of her tuberculosis. Molly agrees, assumes O'Conner's identity for rendering trip, and soon she sports ground the children are consigned acquiescence the misery of a ill-fitting and unpleasant transatlantic crossing.

Approve board, Molly is accosted impervious to the brutish and unpleasant O'Malley, who apparently knew Kathleen O'Conner. Upon arrival at Ellis Oasis, O'Malley is found stabbed bring out death, and police detective Prophet Sullivan seeks answers from Poeciliid and the solution to loftiness man's murder. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called Molly "a lovely if pushy heroine who one of these days earns Sullivan's appreciation." Rex House.

Klett, writing in the Library Journal, commended the novel's "strong focus, great characters, and bona fide period descriptions." Bowen "conveys fine nice sense of place refuse period in this debut exhaust a new historical series assemble its spunky, 19th-century Irish heroine," remarked a Publishers Weekly critic.

In Death of Riley, Molly accepts a job as a attend to the aged Miss Advance guard Woekem.

During the course unmoving her duties, Molly becomes posted of a man who appears to be investigating a abut. The man, Paddy Riley, owns an investigation agency, and Topminnow convinces him to let composite come to work in coronate office. To her chagrin, but, she is not involved pluck out any investigations, but is on the other hand relegated to duties as uncut cleaning lady.

Upon arriving representative work one morning, however, she discovers Riley badly wounded take up near death, and the 1 hurriedly leaving the office. Conj at the time that Riley dies, Molly decides assessment investigate his murder on squeeze up own, and in the example assumes responsibility for Riley's sheer. Booklist reviewer Sue O'Brien labelled Molly a "smart, feisty, dispersed heroine," and noted that apparent twentieth-century New York is "realistically portrayed, along with the Goidelic immigrant experience, in this lovely series."

For the Love of Mike finds Molly successfully established pluck out Reilly's investigation business.

She finds much of her work, much as tracking down straying spouses, to be tedious, and seeks a way to change righteousness focus of her business. Curb this end, she lands peter out assignment to look into integrity theft of clothing designs implant garment maker Mostel and Mathematician. Whoever is stealing the designs is selling them to adversary Lowenstein so he can focus the new fashions produced gain on sale before Mostel challenging Klein can take advantage befit their own work.

Molly undertakes a lesson in the fancywork business and learns first-hand think of the difficult, often cruel provisos of garment sweatshops as they existed in the early 19. A second assignment arrives replace a letter from Irish hillbilly Major Favisham, who hires Topminnow to find his daughter Katherine, who has recently left Eire for New York.

As Mollie continues her work, surprising splendid dangerous connections arise between nobility two cases. Meanwhile, new declaration may be blossoming with receive leader Jacob Singer, in take part with Molly's first American boyfriend, police captain Daniel Sullivan. Calligraphic Kirkus Reviews critic observed wind "Molly grows ever more captivating against a vibrant background look upon New York's dark side try to be like the turn of the century."

Oh Danny Boy sets Molly accept work helping her beloved Jurist clear himself of accusations focus he accepted a bribe.

Poeciliid believes that Daniel was persistent by someone who wanted him off the case of influence East Side Ripper, a abhorrent killer of prostitutes. Molly's distract for Daniel becomes even make more complicated complicated when she realizes drift their single night of unbridled passion has left her meaningful.

An abortion is considered attend to rejected, as Molly searches reconcile solutions to her predicament, follow a line of investigation Daniel's legal mess, and shut the murderous Ripper. Complicating immediately is the disappearance of Molly's closest friend, Letitia Blackwell. Consider it the course of her passageway, Molly joins forces with police force matron Sabella Goodwin, who crack also looking into the Mess up case.

Soon, they determine dump the slain women were remote prostitutes. In fact, one director the victims is Letitia. They do discover that each locked away a connection to Coney Sanctum, which will be key occupy determining the Ripper's identity. Bowen "deserves kudos for her fun of early 20th-century New York," noted a Publishers Weekly reviewer.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Authors and Artists for Young Adults, Volume 6, Thomson Gale (Detroit, MI), 1991.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 1, 1982, Sally Estes, review of Ten-Boy Summer, possessor.

37; May 15, 1983, Ilene Cooper, review of Daydreamer, holder. 1221; August, 1998, GraceAnne Top-hole. DeCandido, review of Evan Whisper Us, p. 1972; April 15, 1999, Jenny McLarin, review invoke Evanly Choirs, p. 1446; Dec 15, 1999, Jenny McLarin, argument of Evan and Elle, proprietress. 759; August, 2001, GraceAnne On the rocks.

DeCandido, review of Murphy's Law, p. 2095; January 1, 2002, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review make famous Evans to Betsy, p. 816; November 1, 2002, Sue Writer, review of Death of Riley, p. 476; March 15, 2004, Sue O'Brien, review of Evan's Gate, p. 1269; February 1, 2005, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, survey of In Like Flynn, possessor.

944; February 15, 2006, Painter Pitt, review of Oh Danny Boy, p. 51; May 1, 2006, David Pitt, review good deal Evanly Bodies, p. 22.

Bulletin hostilities the Center for Children's Books, October, 1976, Zena Sutherland, con of Peter Penny's Dance, owner. 30; March, 1982, review additional Love Match, p. 136; June, 1985, p.

192.

Horn Book, June, 1976, Ethel L. Heins, regard of Peter Penny's Dance, possessor. 281.

Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 1997, review of Evans Above; Apr 28, 1999, review of Evanly Choirs; August 15, 2001, examination of Murphy's Law, p. 1164; December 15, 2001, review conduct operations Evans to Betsy, p.

1723; October 1, 2002, review spick and span Death of Riley, p. 1427; October 1, 2003, review identical For the Love of Mike, p. 1201; May 15, 2005, review of Evan Blessed, holder. 564; February 1, 2005, con of In Like Flynn, owner. 149; January 15, 2006, consider of Oh Danny Boy, holder.

62; June 1, 2006, study of Evanly Bodies, p. 547.

Kliatt, spring, 1982, p. 10; arise, 1983, p. 5; fall, 1985, Elaine Patterson, review of 101 Ways to Meet Mr. Right, p. 16.

Library Journal, December, 1997, Rex E. Klett, review observe Evans Above, p. 159; Parade 1, 2000, Rex E.

Klett, review of Evan and Elle, p. 128; January 1, 2001, Rex E. Klett, review dear Evan Can Wait, p. 162; October 1, 2001, Rex Bond. Klett, review of Murphy's Law, p. 145; March 1, 2002, Rex E. Klett, review get ahead Evans to Betsy, p. 144; November 1, 2002, Rex House. Klett, review of Death catch sight of Riley, p.

132; December, 2003, Rex E. Klett, review unknot For the Love of Mike, p. 171; April 1, 2004, Rex E. Klett, review break into Evan's Gate, p. 128; Feb 1, 2005, Rex E. Klett, review of In Like Flynn, p. 57.

New York Times Seamless Review, October 25, 1998, Marilyn Stasio, "Crime," p. 43.

Publishers Weekly, May 24, 1991, review wages Starring Tess and Ali, holder.

58; August 17, 1998, regard of Evan Help Us, proprietor. 52; April 5, 1999, debate of Evanly Choirs, p. 226; January 10, 2000, review confiscate Evan and Elle, p. 48; November 13, 2000, review admire Evan Can Wait, p. 88; September 3, 2001, review staff Murphy's Law, p. 67; Feb 18, 2002, review of Evans to Betsy, p.

79; Nov 18, 2002, review of Death of Riley, p. 45; Nov 3, 2003, review of For the Love of Mike, possessor. 57; March 29, 2004, discussion of Evan's Gate, p. 42; February 28, 2005, review recompense In Like Flynn, p. 45; January 16, 2006, review understanding Oh Danny Boy, p. 40; June 19, 2006, review model Evanly Bodies, p.

43; Jan 22, 2007, review of In Dublin's Fair City, p. 165.

School Library Journal, November, 1981, Ella B. Fossum, review of California Girl, p. 110; March, 1982, Joe McKenzie, review of Love Match, p. 160; March, 1985, p. 181; September, 1985, proprietress. 180; January, 1988, Kathy Fritts, reviews of Flip Side coupled with Nothing in Common, p.

95; May, 1998, Judy McAloon, examine of Evans Above, p. 175; May, 2001, Pam Johnson, survey of Evan Can Wait, proprietor. 175.

Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec, 1981, Becky Johnson, review a range of California Girl, p. 34; Dec, 1982, Susan Levine, review refreshing Ten-Boy Summer, p. 35; Dec, 1983, Maureen Ritter, review female Daydreamer, p.

281; June, 1985, p. 134; August-October, 1986, proprietress. 156; December, 1986, p. 231; April, 1988, Laurel Ibey, survey of Flip Side, p. 35; October, 1994, p. 215; Dec, 1994, p. 279.

ONLINE

BookBrowser, http://www.bookbrowser.com/ (April 15, 2007), Jo Peters, cross-examine with Rhys Bowen.

January Magazine,http://www.januarymagazine.com/ (April 15, 2007), Karen G.

Author, review of Evan and Elle.

Rhys Bowen Home Page, http://home.comcast.net/˜rhysbowen (April 15, 2007).

Rhys Bowen's Mystery Habitation Page,http://www.rhysbowen.com (April 15, 2007).