Elizabeth C. Bunce

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Elizabeth C. Bunce
Bunce at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011
Bunce at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011
OccupationAuthor
Alma materUniversity of Iowa
Genre
Notable works
  • • A Curse Dark as Gold
  • • StarCrossed
  • • Premeditated Myrtle
  • • Cold-Blooded Myrtle
Notable awardsEdgar Award
2021
William C. Morris Award
2009
Website
elizabethcbunce.com

Elizabeth C. Bunce is an American author who writes mysteries, fantasy, and ghost stories featuring strong female characters. Best known for her Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series and her novel A Curse Dark as Gold, her books are often inspired by folklore, and targeted toward young adult and pre-teen readers while also appealing to adults. Her writing style has been referred to as literary fiction, and her works have been called “mysteries in fantasy dress,”[1] “spun with mystery and shot through with romance.”[2] Her works are infused with the results of her research into history, science, culture, and etymology, often set in or inspired by historical places and times.[3]

Career[]

Bunce's first novel A Curse Dark as Gold received the American Library Association’s inaugural William C. Morris Award,[4] and was named a Smithsonian Notable Book.[5] The first book in Bunce’s Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series, Premeditated Myrtle, won the 2021 Edgar Award,[6] was named a 2021 honoree by the Society of Midland Authors[7] and it was nominated for the Agatha Award[8] and Anthony Award. The third book in Bunce’s series, Cold-Blooded Myrtle, is nominated for both the 2022 Edgar Award[9] and Agatha Award. Two of Bunce's novels have appeared on Oprah Winfrey's Kids’ Reading List,[10][11] and four of Bunce's novels have been awarded Kansas Notable Book Awards.[12]

A full-time writer since earning her degree in English and anthropology from the University of Iowa in 1996, Bunce has presented workshops on writing and storytelling techniques for both professional writers and kids, and made fan appearances at San Diego Comic-Con,[13] the World Fantasy Convention, WisCon, and other pop culture conventions, and she has appeared as a panelist or presenter at numerous libraries and schools.[14] Bunce has referred to herself as an avid “maker”—she is also a historical costumer, cosplayer, and needlewoman. Bunce is a fan of Gothic fiction, ghost stories, mystery tropes, pop culture references, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Veronica Mars, and the works of Daphne Du Maurier, Sharon Shinn, and Charles Dickens. Bunce has said that in her youth she was a voracious reader and a fan of the Trixie Belden mystery novels.[15]

Reception[]

Bunce has received favorable industry and literary reviews for her writing. The Wall Street Journal said “Younger Holmes fans (and older ones too) should be charmed by Elizabeth C. Bunce's Cold-Blooded Myrtle.[16] The Buffalo News called Premeditated Myrtle a “hugely entertaining, well-crafted Victorian whodunnit.”[17] The Kansas City Star called Premeditated Myrtle "loaded with energy that propels the reader forward in the tradition of all the most addictive of children’s books mysteries.”[18] Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn, said "Elizabeth Bunce is the real thing, no question about it. A Curse Dark as Gold beats the hell out of any fantasy novel I’ve read this year. Her heroine/narrator is immensely appealing; the atmosphere of a world on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution is completely believable; and the suspense of the story builds so craftily that I started taking notes on just how she does it. Speaking as a writer, Elizabeth Bunce is definitely worth stealing from; speaking as a reader… all right, all right, already, I couldn’t put it down. She’s that good.” Smithsonian Magazine called Bunce's A Curse Dark as Gold, “a spellbinding novel of romance and buried secrets.”[19]

Works[]

Bunce is known for two series, both ongoing. The first is a high-fantasy for young adults featuring a thief named Digger called the Thief Errant series, including the novels StarCrossed, (named a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book for 2010)[20] and Liar's Moon. The series has been called a “political fantasy” and compared to the novels of George R.R. Martin.[21] Her Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series features a 12-year-old aspiring detective named Myrtle Hardcastle, who solves crimes with her governess Ada Judson and a cat named Peony, set in 1890s Victorian England. Bunce's young sleuth has been compared to Enola Holmes,[22] Flavia de Luce,[23] and Harriet the Spy.[24] The series is being published internationally in German and Russian translations.

Novels[]

  • A Curse Dark as Gold (2008), Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic

Thief Errant series[]

  • StarCrossed (2010), Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic
  • Liar’s Moon (2011), Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic

Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The History of our Favorite Young Detectives - Strand Magazine". 6 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Best Reads (2010 - 2021): A Curse Dark as Gold". 17 April 2010.
  3. ^ Nolan, Tom (November 18, 2021). "Holiday Gift Books 2021: Mysteries; New editions of cozy classics, fresh adventures for the world's most famous detective and even a guide to mystery-writing success from those who know best". The Wall Street Journal.
  4. ^ "Elizabeth C. Bunce wins first-ever William C. Morris Award". American Library Association. January 25, 2009.
  5. ^ "Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2008". Smithsonian Magazine. December 19, 2008.
  6. ^ "Winners of the 2021 Edgar Awards are Revealed". Kirkus Reviews. April 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "2021 Awards for Books Published in 2020". Society of Midland Authors.
  8. ^ "Nominees for Agatha Awards are Revealed". Kirkus Reviews. March 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Mystery Writers of America announces 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominations". January 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "Kids' Reading List: 12 Years and up".
  11. ^ "Star Crossed".
  12. ^ "2021 Notable Books | Kansas State Library, KS - Official Website". kslib.info.
  13. ^ http://www.enchantedinkpot.livejournal.com/96962.html
  14. ^ "AISFP 109 – Elizabeth C. Bunce — Adventures in SciFi Publishing".
  15. ^ "Sensational 7 Q & A with Elizabeth C. Bunce (Author of StarCrossed)!".
  16. ^ Nolan, Tom (November 18, 2021). "Holiday Gift Books 2021: Mysteries; New editions of cozy classics, fresh adventures for the world's most famous detective and even a guide to mystery-writing success from those who know best". The Wall Street Journal.
  17. ^ Westmoore, Jean (December 18, 2020). "Books in Brief: Premeditated Myrtle, Super Fake Love Song, Our Little Kitchen". The Buffalo News.
  18. ^ Kniggendorf, Anne (June 6, 2021). "Kansas City area author wins 'Oscar of mystery writing' for her plucky young sleuth". The Kansas City Star.
  19. ^ Burke, Kathleen (December 19, 2008). "Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2008". Smithsonian Magazine.
  20. ^ "Best Teen Fiction of 2010".
  21. ^ "My Fall 2010 Books: STARCROSSED by Elizabeth C. Bunce". 24 September 2010.
  22. ^ "7 books to read if you like Enola Holmes on Netflix". 23 September 2020.
  23. ^ "PREMEDITATED MYRTLE: A cozy mystery for middle-grade readers". 4 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Kids on the case". 30 April 2020.

External links[]

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