Barbara Early Books In Order

Publication Order of Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Vintage Toyshop Mystery Books

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Beverly Allen Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

An American author of mystery fiction firmly set within the traditions of the genre, Barbara Early is well regarded for her in-depth and compelling suspense filled novels, ones which combine both character and narrative, which is something that many readers worldwide have warmed to over the years, as she has gained an international following along with a bestselling author status. Knowing and understanding her genre well, she has become adept at knowing exactly what it is that her readers are looking for when reading her books, as she uses the conventions and tropes of the mystery genre to great effect, delivering exciting stories and well drawn characters in the process. This has allowed her to become one of the most prolific authors currently working within her field to date, as she has created a name for herself that is fast becoming synonymous with the genre itself, as well as becoming a mainstay of many readers bookshelves both nationally and internationally.

Early and Personal Life

Growing up in Buffalo in New York, Barbara Early was born and raised within the snowy suburbs of the city, as she harbored a passion for both reading and writing from an early age. Focused primarily on a keen fondness for all sedentary pursuits by her own volition, she had a love of classic movies, as well as literature and writing, along with an interest in Scrabble. This would then develop over the years as she began to build upon her many pursuits, taking in inspiration from the world around her, constantly putting it back into her work, with her always being on the lookout for new material.

After attaining an engineering degree she always continued to write and focus on her own material throughout, with her primary love always being writing. Finally achieving this she is now a full-time writer and continues to write to this very day, living with her husband and their daughter, as she is always searching for the next big idea. With a lot more to come yet it appears that she’s not stopping anytime soon, as her writing career grows from strength-to-strength for many years to follow.

Writing Career

Bringing out her first book in 2011, she was soon well on her way to becoming a full fledged author of mystery novels. This would also see her producing the much loved ‘Vintage Toyshop Mystery’ series of novels too. Not just writing murder mysteries, though, she is also known to inject an element of romance into her stories too.

Previously working as an English and science teach in high-school, she is also known to go under the name of Beverly Allen as well. With a number of other passions, including crafts and cooking, she is always keeping herself busy. Not showing signs of stopping any time soon either, it appears that she’s continuing on into the foreseeable future.

Gold Frankincense and Murder

Initially brought out in 2011 on the 29th of November, this was the first mystery novel to come from Barbara Early as an author, and is one which provides a great insight into her early development as a proponent of the genre. Released through the ‘White Rose Publishing’ label, which is a subdivision of the ‘Pelican Book Group’, it is definitely a must for any fan or newcomer to the author, as it not only offers an insight into her early work, but it also works as a great casual read and stand-alone mystery novel. Following the template of the genre, Barbara Early clearly understands the formula, as she manipulates it thus creating her own unique and highly distinctive style in the process, as it keeps the reader guessing right until the very last page.

Going about her seemingly normal life Donna Russell likes everything just so, as she is very particular about order and structure in her job as a high-school geometry teacher, but it appears all that is soon to change after an unforeseen set of events soon takes place. A charming co-worker of hers disappears from the local food-bank just before Christmas leaving Donna wondering what exactly happened to her, as a number of questions soon arise from the disappearance, leaving her to go looking for answers. That’s when the neighbor of the missing man jumps into action offering to help Donna, and soon a chemistry builds between the both of them as they try to solve the mystery at hand. The muscle bound neighbor Sam Holton seems somewhat suspicious himself, though, and Donna is left wondering what exactly his motives are in all this, and what he’s getting from it all. Finally a body is dragged from the Niagara River and Donna is left wondering whether a romance could ever blossom between the both of them amid all this chaos and murder. Will they ever find the missing man and who exactly is the murdered man? Is there a killer on the loose and will they strike again? Can a romance ever grow within all the gold frankincense and murder?

Murder on the Toy Town Express

This was set to be the second book in the ongoing ‘Vintage Toyshop Mysteries’ series of novels, as it continued on directly from the first novel ‘Death of a Toy Soldier’, which was brought out in 2016. Brought out one year later, ‘Murder on the Toy Town Express’ was released on the 10th of October in 2017, as it was released through the ‘Crooked Lane Books’ publishing label to an already eager audience. Now well into her career this provides a great insight in how Barbara Early has developed since her first novel, along with how far she has come as an author. It hits all the right beats needed for a mystery novel, plus it manages to provide some quality twists and turns of its own along the way, keeping the readers guessing right until the very last page. Working as an excellent example of the genre, it also manages to provide some good character development of its leading protagonist Liz McCall who readers of the first novel will be very familiar with by now.

Set in East Aurora in New York City, this sees Liz McCall now in full swing of running her father’s vintage toyshop, the toyshop which he managed to purchase using his retirement money from his time serving on the police-force. Everything seems to be going well, especially when the Toy Show arrives to town, bringing with it plenty of business opportunities for her to potentially capitalize on. That’s when Craig McFadden steps into the picture, her old school bully now turned business rival, as he opens up a competing booth right next to hers. Falling from a ceiling in a publicity stunt turned sour, Craig is killed leaving others to suspect there may be foul-play at work, something which then focuses the suspicion on Liz’s old school sweetheart. Can she prove his innocence? Was her father the real target? Who really committed the murder on the Toy Town Express?

4 Responses to “Barbara Early”

1. Barbara A Early: 1 year ago

   Was about to rewrite my bio for a new book coming in 2023 and came across this page. Thanks for the flattering biography here! If it helps to fill in some of the gaps, between the first novella and the Toyshop series, I also wrote the 3-book Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries under the penname Beverly Allen.

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     Thanks for mentioning that Barbara – we actually were meant to be displaying those but due to an odd database glitch, they weren’t listed above. I refreshed the listing and it’s all good now 🙂

     Reply
2. Marlene Morris: 2 years ago

   I would like a list of her books. I have read three in the toy series. True entertainment reading. Thanks

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Hi Marlene – I’m not sure what you’re asking? As that’s what this page is – a list of her books.

     Reply