Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth

The Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth series, also known as the Dr Pimms novels, is a series of books written by Queanbeyan-based[1] author L.J.M. Owen.

Owen has a similar background to the main character, sharing studies in archaeology and librarianship, and received her Doctor of Philosophy in paleogenetics from the Australian National University (ANU) in 2003.[2] The forensic science techniques and approaches in the Dr Pimms novels are based on Owen's studies and experience at the ANU.[3]

Her goal in writing the series is to promote women's roles throughout history.[4]

Series focus and settings

The series focuses on Dr Elizabeth Pimms, who works at the National Library of Australia (Canberra), and also investigates archaeological mysteries. The setting is a semi-fictional version of Canberra, as the version of the National Library includes the fictional Mahoney Griffin Library.[5] Each book contrasts Dr Pimms' Canberra setting, with that of the featured archaeological investigation.

  • The first book, Olmec Obituary, was successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign.[6] Several days after the crowdfunding campaign, Owen was contacted by Angela Meyer, a commissioning editor of Echo Publishing for a book deal.[7][8] This resulted in multiple editions of Olmec Obituary: a limited edition run (May 2015), and an Echo version (November 2015).[9]
  • The second book, Mayan Mendacity, was published in 2016.[10] It features local landmarks including Queanbeyan's Benedict House, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and Canty's Bookshop in Fyshwick.[11]
  • The third book, Egyptian Enigma, was published in March 2018.[12]

Plots

Olmec Obituary focuses on the discovery of a royal Olmec cemetery, and how Dr Elizabeth Pimms investigates the related skeletons and artefacts.

Mayan Mendacity focuses on the reign of Lady Six Sky in the Mayan Empire, and again contrasts with present-day Canberra, where Dr Pimms studies the case.[13]

Egyptian Enigma again contrasts a "cold case" with Dr Pimms' daily life in Canberra, and opens with her travels to Egypt.

Awards

Writing

Olmec Obituary was longlisted in the Davitt Award[14] (Best Adult Crime Novel, 2016). It was also shortlisted[15] (and later, highly commended[16]) in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards (Fiction, 2016).

Mayan Mendacity was also longlisted in the Davitt Award (Best Adult Crime Novel, 2017).[17]

Book cover

There have been two different covers for Olmec Obituary: the Kickstarter edition, and a later version through Echo Publishing, designed by Josh Durham.[18] Durham has also designed the cover for Mayan Mendacity in the same style. Durham's cover design[19] for Olmec Obituary was shortlisted (but did not win[20]) in the Australian Book Designers Association (ABDA) Book Design Awards (Best Designed Commercial Fiction Book, 2017).[21][22]

Reviews

Olmec Obituary

Olmec Obituary has been reviewed by book critics:

  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Erich Mayer on Artshub[23]
  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Fiona Hardy on Books + Publishing[24]
  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Karen on Austcrime[25]
  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Hente Corinne in The Daily Telegraph[26]
  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Shirley Stephenson in The West Australian[27]
  • Book review of Olmec Obituary by Clive Hodges in Good Reading[28]

Mayan Mendacity

Mayan Mendacity has been reviewed by book critics:

  • Book review of Mayan Mendacity by Linda Morris in The Sun Herald[29]
  • Book review of Mayan Mendacity by Shari Tagliabue in Cairns Post[30]
  • Book review of Mayan Mendacity by author Isobel Blackthorn on Sisters in Crime[31]

Interviews

After publishing the first two books in the series, Owen was interviewed by Lish Fejer about the publication process.[32] Owen was also interviewed by Lizzie Howe of ACT Writers' Centre about the series.[33]

The Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth series (novels)
# Title Publisher Release
1 Olmec Obituary Kickstarter edition (later: Echo Publishing) 2015
2 Mayan Mendacity Echo Publishing 2016
3 Egyptian Enigma Echo Publishing 2018
4 Mongolian Mayhem Echo Publishing TBC

References
  1. Lievre, Kimberley Le (12 February 2016). "Local author to share her story". The Queanbeyan Age. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  2. Martin, Letresha (2003). On the biological affinity between the populations of Iron Age and Roman central southern England, using dental non-metrics as evidence. Thesis (PhD): Australian National University.
  3. Killorn, John (16 November 2017). "The curious case of Sherlock Holmes in Queanbeyan". Canberra Times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. "Forgotten Women's History | Sisters in Crime Australia". www.sistersincrime.org.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  5. Hogan, Jil (26 October 2016). "Canberra author L. J. M. Owen releases second novel Mayan Mendacity". Canberra Times. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  6. "A New Archaeological Mystery Series. Book 1: Olmec Obituary". Kickstarter. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  7. Reading, Better. "Weekend Read: Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen – Better Reading". www.betterreading.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  8. Back, Alexandra (13 November 2015). "The novel story behind the creation of Dr Elizabeth Pimms". Canberra Times. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  9. Le Lievre, Kimberley (16 February 2016). "Familiarity breeds writer's content". The Chronicle (Canberra). p. 8.
  10. Media, Australian Community Media - Fairfax (3 November 2016). "A quiet place to write". The Queanbeyan Age. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  11. "Canberra with a novel twist". The Canberra Times. 27 October 2016. p. A013.
  12. Mason, Sarah. "Publishing success in two day 'publicity bootcamp', 8 – 9 April-The RiotACT". The RiotACT. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  13. Morris, Linda (17 November 2016). "Canberra writer LJM Owen devises intermillennial forensic crime series". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  14. "Booktopia to sponsor the 16th Davitt Awards for best crime books | Sisters in Crime Australia". www.sistersincrime.org.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  15. Austlit. "Olmec Obituary". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  16. actwriterscentre (19 January 2017). "2016 ACT Writing and Publishing Award Winners". CAPITAL LETTERS. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  17. "99 books of murderous intent in contention for Sisters in Crime's 17th Davitt Awards | Sisters in Crime Australia". www.sistersincrime.org.au. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  18. "Josh Durham - Australian Book Designers Association". Australian Book Designers Association. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  19. "Olmec Obituary - Design by Committee". designbycommittee.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  20. "Australian Book Design Awards Winners 2017 - Australian Book Designers Association". Australian Book Designers Association. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  21. "ABDA Book Design Awards 2017 shortlists announced | Books+Publishing". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  22. Australian Book Designers Association. "The 65th Australian Book Design Awards 2017: Shortlist" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  23. Mayer, Erich. "Olmec Obituary". ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  24. "Olmec Obituary: Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth Book One (L J M Owen, Echo) | Books+Publishing". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  25. "Review - OLMEC OBITUARY, L.J.M. Owen". AustCrimeFiction. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  26. Corinne, H. (9 January 2016). OLMEC OBITUARY - READ 2NITE. Daily Telegraph, The (Sydney). p. 14.
  27. Stephenson, Shirley (12 January 2016). "Quirky crime time". The West Australian. p. 7.
  28. Clive Hodges (1 February 2017). "Crime / thriller [Book Review]". Good Reading (Feb 2017).
  29. Linda, M. (27 November 2016). Academic slant to sleuthing. Sun-Herald, The (Sydney). p. 10.
  30. Tagliabue, Shari (21 January 2017). "Books: Cairns Eye". Cairns Post. p. 32.
  31. "Mayan Mendacity – L.J.M. Owen | Sisters in Crime Australia". www.sistersincrime.org.au. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  32. Who is Dr Pimms? Meet her creator LJM Owen, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7 November 2016, retrieved 14 January 2017
  33. "L.J.M. Owen on Dr Elizabeth Pimms & Her New Release Mayan Mendacity". CAPITAL LETTERS. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
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