Iris Johansen

Is an American writer of romance, crime fiction, and suspense fiction who has written 105 books and has achieved an impressive milestone with more than 30 consecutive New York Times best sellers!

She began her writing career in the early 1980's after raising her children by writing romance novels. She changed direction slightly and began writing historical romantic suspense novels in 1991 starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. On her website Johansen says she began writing romance novels because she loves happy ever after endings, but she wanted to challenge herself more. That led to her genre shift, following which she began the Eve Duncan series, featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has been particularly successful, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. The second book in the series "The Killing Game" was adapted into a Lifetime television film in 2011 staring Laura Prepon as Eve Duncan with Noami Judd playing the role of Eve's mother Sandra Duncan.

Johansen lives near Atlanta, GA and works very closely with her children. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an award-winning author and screenwriter and has co-authored series with his mother. Her daughter, Tamara, is her research assistant.

Listed below is more information about the series of books we have available by this prolific author.

The Eve Duncan series is about a fictional forensic sculptor known for her expertise in reconstructing the faces of victims from their skulls, helping to identify them. She has a tragic past that drives her dedication to her work—her daughter, Bonnie, was kidnapped and presumably murdered, and Eve has never given up on finding her daughter's remains and bringing her killer to justice.

Throughout the series, Eve's work often draws her into dangerous situations as she assists law enforcement in solving cases. She is known for her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. Her personal life and relationships, especially with her partner Joe Quinn and her adopted daughter Jane MacGuire, are also central to the series.

The Eve Duncan series is beloved for its intricate plots, emotional depth, and strong, compelling characters.

The first Eve Duncan trilogy series in 2011 by Iris Johansen refers to a specific set of three novels within the larger Eve Duncan series that focus on Eve's search for her kidnapped daughter, Bonnie. This trilogy delves deeper into Eve's personal journey and her relentless pursuit of justice.

The trilogy includes:

1. Eve - The first book provides a background on Eve Duncan's life, her early struggles, and the events that led to her becoming a forensic sculptor. It also explores her deep love for her daughter, Bonnie, and the devastating impact of Bonnie's abduction.

2. Quinn - The second book centers around Joe Quinn, Eve's partner and a former Navy SEAL turned Atlanta detective. It delves into his perspective, their relationship, and the lengths he goes to support Eve in her quest.

3. Bonnie - The final book in the trilogy brings Eve's journey to a climactic conclusion as she uncovers the truth about Bonnie's disappearance. It's an emotional and suspenseful story that ties together the threads of Eve's past and present.

This trilogy is a must-read for fans of the Eve Duncan series, offering a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Catherine Ling Books is another spin-off series from Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series. Catherine Ling has been a CIA operative since she was fourteen and grew up on the streets of Hong Kong. Beginning with Chasing the Night is the crossover novel where Catherine enlists the help of Eve Duncan to identity her son Luke's kidnapper. This series is filled with suspense, action, intricate plots making them a must for fans of crime fiction and espionage.

The first series co-authored with her son Roy Johansen is the Hannah Bryson Books which consists of two books: Silent Thunder and Shadow Zone. They introduce the character Hannah who is a marine architect who gets involved in a dangerous adventure when she's tasked with inspecting a newly acquired Russian submarine. Both books are filled with suspense, action, and intrique.

Another series co-authored with her son is the Kendra Michaels series which follows Kendra Michaels, a former music therapist who was blind for the first twenty years of her life. After undergoing a stem cell procedure that restores her sight, Kendra discovers she has an extraordinary ability to observe and analyze her surroundings, making her a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies

The Standalones

Iris Johansen has published eighteen fiction standalones throughout her career as an author, these are great options without committing to a lengthy series.

The Maisie Dobb Series by Jacqueline Winspear

The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear is a fantastic blend of historical fiction and mystery. It follows Maisie Dobbs, a former World War I nurse turned private investigator, as she solves various cases in post-war England. The series explores the social and psychological impacts of the war and features compelling characters and intricate plots.

Maise Dobbs Novel #8

The series is set between 1929 and 1945, and it beautifully combines elements of war stories, historical fiction, and mystery. It's well-loved for its depth of character and historical accuracy. 

About Jacqueline Winspear *

Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in the county of Kent, England. Following higher education at the University of London’s Institute of Education, Jacqueline worked in academic publishing, in higher education and in marketing communications in the UK. She emigrated to the United States in 1990, and while working in business and as a personal/professional coach, Jacqueline embarked upon a life-long dream to be a writer—she subsequently became a regular contributor to journals covering international education and travel, and has published articles in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Daily Beast and other publications. Her short stories have appeared in magazines internationally, and Jacqueline has recorded her essays for KQED radio in San Francisco. She has contributed to several anthologies of essays and short stories.

Jacqueline’s grandfather was severely wounded and shell-shocked at The Battle of the Somme in 1916, and it was as she understood the extent of his suffering that, even in childhood, Jacqueline became deeply interested in the “war to end all wars” and its aftereffects. As an adult her interest deepened to the extent that, though she did not set out to write a “war” novel, it came as no surprise that this part of history formed the backdrop of Maisie Dobbs and other books in the series. The unique and engaging character of Maisie Dobbs is very much a woman of her generation. She has come of age at a time when women took on the toil of men and claimed independence that was difficult to relinquish. It was a time when many women remained unmarried, simply because a generation of men had gone to war and not come home.

“The war and its aftermath provide fertile ground for a mystery. Such great social upheaval allows for the strange and unusual to emerge and a time of intense emotions can, to the writer of fiction, provide ample fodder for a compelling story, especially one concerning criminal acts and issues of guilt and innocence. After all, a generation is said to have lost its innocence in The Great War. The mystery genre provides a wonderful vehicle for exploring such a time,” explains Ms. Winspear.

Together with The Comfort of Ghosts (June 2024), Jacqueline has written 18 novels in the award-winning Maisie Dobbs historical mystery series

Have you read any of these books, or is there a specific one you're interested in? Check out the selection available on our website: Fiction | Belle Plaine Books

*Information obtained from jacquelinewinspear.com