About Frances Crane
Frances Crane was a cozy mystery fiction author that was best known for the “Pat Abbott” mystery series of novels. The author was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois in 1890. Her father was a manufacturer and capitalist from Chicago who built a huge business empire making ceramic and metal products. Ultimately she went to the University of Illinois where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree and was a Phi Beta Kappa. She would later attend the University of Chicago for her graduate studies. She would finally become known for her unorthodox religious beliefs and political radicalism, which made her the family’s black sheep and embarrassed her father. It was in 1941 that Frances Crane published her debut novel “The Turquoise Shop.” She was inspired to pen her novel when she heard about
Publication Order of Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery Books
26 books in seriesPublication Order
- The Turquoise Shop(1941)
- The Golden Box(1942)
- The Yellow Violet(1942)
- The Applegreen Cat(1943)
- The Pink Umbrella / The Pink Umbrella Murder(1943)
- The Amethyst Spectacles(1944)
- The Indigo Necklace / The Indigo Necklace Murders(1944)
- The Cinnamon Murder(1946)
- The Shocking Pink Hat(1946)
- Murder on the Purple Water(1947)
- Black Cypress(1948)
- The Flying Red Horse(1949)
- The Daffodil Blonde(1950)
- Murder in Blue Street / Death in the Blue Hour(1951)
- The Polkadot Murder(1951)
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
4 books in seriesPublication Order
- The Reluctant Sleuth(1961)
- Three Days in Hong Kong(1965)
- A Very Quiet Murder(1966)
- Worse Than a Crime(1968)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Frances Crane?
Frances Crane is a bestselling author known for 2 book series. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide with compelling characters and intricate plots.
What is the best Frances Crane book series to start with?
We recommend starting with Publication Order of Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery Books as it is one of the most popular and longest-running series by this author.
How many books has Frances Crane written?
Frances Crane has written over 30 books across 2 different series, making them one of the most prolific authors in their genre.