Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth

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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.

Queanbeyan City in New South Wales, Australia

Queanbeyan is a city in south-eastern region of the Australian state of New South Wales, located adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory in the Southern Tablelands region. Located on the Queanbeyan River, the city is the council seat of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. At the 2016 census, the Queanbeyan part of the Canberra–Queanbeyan built-up area had a population of 36,348.

Contents

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]

Paleogenetics is the study of the past through the examination of preserved genetic material from the remains of ancient organisms. Emile Zuckerkandl and the physical chemist Linus Carl Pauling introduced the term "paleogenetics" in 1963, in reference to the examination of possible applications in the reconstruction of past polypeptide sequences. The first sequence of an ancient DNA, isolated from a museum specimen of the extinct quagga, was published in 1984 by a team led by Allan Wilson.

Australian National University National research university in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

The Australian National University (ANU) is a national research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and institutes.

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.

National Library of Australia national reference library in Canberra, Australia

The National Library of Australia (NLA) is the largest reference library in Australia, responsible under the terms of the National Library Act for "maintaining and developing a national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Australia and the Australian people." In 2012–13, the National Library collection comprised 6,496,772 items, and an additional 15,506 metres (50,873 ft) of manuscript material. It is located in Parkes, Canberra, ACT.

Canberra capital city of Australia

Canberra is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory; 280 km (170 mi) south-west of Sydney and 660 km (410 mi) north-east of Melbourne.

Kickstarter crowdfunding platform

Kickstarter is an American public-benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity and merchandising. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative projects to life". As of May 2019, Kickstarter has received more than $4 billion in pledges from 16.3 million backers to fund 445,000 projects, such as films, music, stage shows, comics, journalism, video games, technology, publishing, and food-related projects.

Australian National Botanic Gardens botanical garden in Canberra, Australia

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) are located in Canberra and are administered by the Australian Government's Department of the Environment and Energy..

Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory Suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Fyshwick is a retail and light industry suburb of Canberra and is located east of the South Canberra district. At the 2016 census, Fyshwick had a population of 56 people.

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:

Mayan Mendacity

Mayan Mendacity has been reviewed by book critics:

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)

#TitlePublisherRelease
1Olmec ObituaryKickstarter edition (later: Echo Publishing)2015
2Mayan MendacityEcho Publishing2016
3Egyptian EnigmaEcho Publishing2018
4Mongolian MayhemEcho PublishingTBC

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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. ↑
  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. 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. (2016, January 9). 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. ↑ (https://www.informit.org/researchers/who-is-informit), Informit - RMIT Training PTY LTD (1 February 2017). "Crime / thriller [Book Review]". Good Reading (Feb 2017).
  29. ↑ Linda, M. (2016, November 27). 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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