Betsy Allen / Betty Cavanna / Elizabeth Headley Books In Order

Publication Order of Connie Blair Mystery Books

Publication Order of Around the World Today Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Largely known for writing books for a young audience, the American author Betty Cavanna excelled at what she did. Showing a clear passion for the form, she would connect with her young readers in a way few others within her field have managed to since. Paving the way for a generation of writers to come, she would become an institution in her own right, allowing many other writers to follow in her footsteps in the following years to come. She would also create a highly distinctive voice for herself that has remained unparalleled to this very day, with few other writers matching her here too. Writing under a variety of different pseudonyms, she would also assume the pen-names of Betsy Allen and Elizabeth Headley, although her full name was Elizabeth Allen Cavanna.

This would allow her to become her own brand throughout the entire course of her career, creating a style that was quite unlike any other. Featuring stories of mysteries, thrillers and romance, she would grip the reader’s attention, holding them enthralled by her captivating and compelling method of storytelling. She would also come to write numerous books and series over her lifetime, leaving behind a legacy that is till felt to this very day.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Camden, New Jersey, in the United States, she would be born on the 24th of June in 1909, having a career that would span for much of the twentieth century. Attending New Jersey College for Women based in New Brunswick, she would study journalism, which she would then go on to major in. This would provide her with the requisite materials with which to advance her career and become the writer that she always wanted to be. It was at an early age that she would become truly interested in the art-form though, having suffered an illness as a child leaving her guardians to read to her extensively. Marrying her husband Edward Talman Headley in 1940, she would live with him until his passing following their having a son, after which she would marry George Russell Harrison in 1957 who was also a writer of non-fiction.

Writing Career

In 1936 Elizabeth Allen Cavanna would write her first novel titled ‘Lasso Your Heart’, which would be a stand-alone novel. This would be followed by ‘Two’s Company’ in 1941 and, with this, she was well on her way to becoming a fully fledged author and publishing sensation. Prior to all of this though, she would work as a reporter for the ‘Bayonne Times’, starting out in 1929, leading to her making a name for herself. Later she would go on to write the much loved series ‘Connie Blair’ featuring the iconic eponymous protagonist of the name, which she would pen under the name of ‘Betsy Allen’. The first of these would be written in 1948 and was titled ‘The Clue in Blue’, thus cementing her reputation as the figure she is currently remembered as being now.

Paintbox Summer

First published through the ‘Westminster John Knox Press’ publishing press, this would come out on the 1st of December in 1949. Not being a part of any series as such, it would be written under the name of Betty Cavanna, allowing the story to ultimately speak for itself. Featuring a coming-of-age story that would resonate with youth worldwide, it managed to garner a large audience with its good natured form of storytelling.

Using real-world characters, this is a story that saw Betty Cavanna seeking the permission of Peter Hunt to use him as a character in this novel. This then gives the whole story an added degree of authenticity that it wouldn’t otherwise have had, allowing it to come to life off of the page. It also manages to transport the reader to a seemingly idyllic setting, when the characters are young and looking forward to the future. Regardless of when the reader is reading this, it manages to remain ever timeless as a story, retaining a sense of magic for generations to come.

Set in the summer of Cape Cod, this sees Kate Vale expecting to have a rather boring summer spent at home initially. That’s when she suddenly invited to spend the summer in Cape Cod, where she will paint some peasant furniture with Peter Hunt in his world famous shop there. She also hopes to use this time to prove to her parents that she is serious about attending art school and it is more than just some teenage whim. Spending time at Peter Hunt’s art colony, Kate meets Rhoda and Misty, who she quickly becomes friends with, but not before falling head over heels in love with a handsome fisherman, whilst also befriending Bill who becomes extremely important to her. Will she find everything that she is hoping for here? Can she make the most of it? What will become of her paintbox summer?

Puzzle in Purple

Published through the ‘Grosset and Dunlap’ publishing house this time, this would first come out in 1948. It would mark the third Connie Blair novel, with it being ‘A Connie Blair Mystery’ novel, with many others to follow in the series. Whilst the mysteries themselves were stand-alone, the books were chronological, finding Connie at different stages in her young life, through art school and after, facing all sorts of mishaps and adventures.

Telling the story of Connie Blair and her time spent at art school, it sees her solving another mystery this time round. Attending a fancy dress ball, she finds a colorful cast of characters in attendance, and that’s when a skeleton turns up, only to deface a set of painting across the ceiling with purple paint. This leads Connie to solve the case and find out who exactly is behind it all, as everyone apparently has motivations to do it there. Questioning each of the characters, from the sensitive, shy and hugely talented Eric Payson, to the charismatic, but jealous Roby Woodward. Who committed the nefarious deed there? Why did they do and will they attempt it again? Can Connie Blair solve the puzzle in purple?