Unveiling the Life of Renowned Author, Frances Crane
Born in 1890, Frances Crane was a remarkable American mystery novelist with a fascinating life story. She graduated from the esteemed University of Illinois and pursued further studies at the University of Newmarket. Not one to shy away from expressing her opinions, Crane lived in Nazi Germany for some time. Exceptionally bold, she would audaciously mimic Hitler’s speeches and make attempts to persuade restaurant personnel that she was Jewish. The fearless author was eventually expelled from Germany. Divorced and needing a primary source of income, she returned to her home country, where she embarked on a career in detective fiction writing. Her wit and daring personality permeated her storytelling and would eventually make her one of the most noted authors of her time.
The Engaging Journey of Crane’s Captivating Writing Style
Crane had an extraordinary knack for storytelling and her unique writing style enthralled readers throughout the spectrum of her career. Her narrative was a sophisticated blend of detective mysteries, enthralling character development, and a deep understanding of human nature. This made her books irresistibly intriguing and put her on the map as one of the most significant writers in the mystery genre.
Frances Crane’s Books in Order: A Chronicle of Intriguing Mysteries
In her remarkable writing journey, Crane introduced the world to the famous Pat & Jean Abbott series. This beloved series had its inception in 1941 with her debut novel, The Turquoise Shop.
She wrote a remarkable 26 novels in this series, each one a riveting page-turner. Books in order of publication provide a captivating chronicle of Frances Crane’s literary mastery.
In addition to the much-acclaimed Pat & Jean Abbott series, Frances Crane authored four standalone novels, further showcasing her storytelling prowess. Her legacy is an astonishing collection of mystery novels that continue to enthral readers, be it in chronological order or in random selection.
Publication Order of Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery Books
| The Turquoise Shop | (1941) |    |
| The Golden Box | (1942) | |
| The Yellow Violet | (1942) | |
| The Applegreen Cat | (1943) | |
| The Pink Umbrella / The Pink Umbrella Murder | (1943) | |
| The Amethyst Spectacles | (1944) | |
| The Indigo Necklace / The Indigo Necklace Murders | (1944) | |
| The Cinnamon Murder | (1946) | |
| The Shocking Pink Hat | (1946) | |
| Murder on the Purple Water | (1947) | |
| Black Cypress | (1948) | |
| The Flying Red Horse | (1949) | |
| The Daffodil Blonde | (1950) | |
| Murder in Blue Street / Death in the Blue Hour | (1951) | |
| The Polkadot Murder | (1951) | |
| 13 White Tulips | (1953) | |
| Murder in Bright Red | (1953) | |
| The Coral Princess Murders | (1954) | |
| Death in Lilac Time | (1955) | |
| Horror on the Ruby X | (1956) | |
| The Ultra-Violet Widow | (1956) | |
| The Buttercup Case | (1958) | |
| The Man in Gray / The Grey Stranger | (1958) | |
| Death-Wish Green | (1960) | |
| The Amber Eyes | (1962) | |
| Body Beneath a Mandarin Tree | (1965) | |