Gail Bowen Books

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Gail Bowen is an award-winning novelist and playwright that writes mystery novels. She was born in 1942 in Toronto, Canada. Bowen’s education includes stints at the University of Toronto (Bachelor of Arts degree), the University of Waterloo (Master’s degree), and the University of Saskatchewan.

She eventually joined the First Nations University of Canada as a teacher. Bowen claims that the tombstones in the Prospect Cemetary taught her to read. She blames this experience for sparking her fascination with death at an early age.

The author was already in her 40s when she took an interest in fiction and publishing. A friend asked her to write a guide to Canada. The friend in question had a tight deadline. But even though Bowen was flattered by the request, she turned it down.

The author had a full schedule that included three small children and a teaching position at a university. The last thing she wanted was to fill her limited free time with a writing assignment. But then her husband intervened and encouraged her to give the offer more thought.

After all, the request came from a friend. Bowen called the friend back and accepted the assignment. The publisher liked the book so much that he asked Bowen and Ron Marken to write another book together.

By the time ‘The Love Letters of George and Adelaide’ came out, the writing bug had taken hold of Bowen, and it wouldn’t let go. The mystery genre was an obvious choice for the author because her summer reading list in graduate school was chocked with mysteries.

Bowen made two decisions early on. First, she wanted to use Saskatchewan as her primary setting. It was not enough to feature Saskatchewan’s streets and towns. The author was determined to capture the local flavor.

Second, Bowen wanted to create a protagonist that reflected her. That meant introducing a middle-aged heroine, competent and intelligent, but not a superwoman. Later on, Bowen admitted that Joanne Kilbourn wasn’t necessarily her fictional counterpart.

While Bowen imprinted some of her mannerisms and attitudes onto the heroine, it would be more accurate to call Joanne a Canadian protagonist. Because Canadians are community-minded, Bowen did not want Joanne to mimic the lone wolves that appear in American mysteries and thrillers.

The author’s protagonist is a social animal with plenty of friends and family. She has also nurtured a strong working relationship with the police, another attribute that sets her apart from American protagonists.

The most challenging aspect of the writing process for Bowen is the first chapter. It can take her months to write a first chapter she likes. The author knows where she’s going by the time the first chapter is done. But that doesn’t prevent the manuscript from surprising her.

Bowen’s struggles with the first chapter haven’t changed, even though she’s written over a dozen Joanne Kilbourn novels. People continue to follow the series despite its length because they care about the protagonist and her family. Joanne is an ordinary woman, so readers feel like they can relate to her.

Gail Bowen Awards

Bowen has won the Arthur Ellis and Derrick Murdoch Awards.

Gail Bowen Books Into Movies

Shaftsbury Films turned the first six Joanne Kilbourn books into television movies.

Best Gail Bowen Books

The author has written plays that premiered at the Globe Theater (Regina). Bowen’s best books include:

Deadly Appearances: Andy Boychuk had a successful career. The Saskatchewan politician’s prospects seemed bright when he walked onto the podium at a picnic whose guests included his friends, family, enemies, and supporters from his party.

But then he took a sip of water and dropped dead. Joanne Kilbourn will dig into Andy’s past in the hopes of finding a clue that explains his untimely death.

Murder at the Mendel: Joanne and Sally Love were close friends. But then Sally’s father died, and the family moved away, fracturing Sally and Joanne’s relationship. Sally matured into a controversial artist.

Joanne had no idea how much things had changed when she went to the Mendel Gallery to attend Sally’s exhibition. Before long, it became obvious that renewing her friendship with Sally wouldn’t be easy.

When the director of a local private gallery died, Joanne leaped into action and started investigating the case. In doing so, she threw the spotlight on Sally and quickly noticed that their childhood relationship had more layers than she initially realized.

When Does The Next Gail Bowen book come out?

Gail Bowen doesn't seem to have an upcoming book. Their newest book is The Solitary Friend and was released on October, 14th 2025. It is the newest book in the Joanne Kilbourn Mystery Series.

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