Picture an American storyteller who spins mysteries with a dash of charm and a sprinkle of code-cracking fun—meet Penny Warner! With over 60 books to her name, this award-winning author has captivated readers worldwide, from cozy mystery fans to young sleuths. Her knack for crafting engaging tales, like the deaf reporter Connor Westphal series and the Agatha Award-winning Code Busters Club, has made her a beloved figure in mystery and children’s literature.
Born in Japan in 1947 and raised in the U.S., Warner’s diverse career as a writer, educator, and child development expert infuses her work with heart and authenticity. Her stories, translated into 16 languages, blend wit, suspense, and relatable characters, proving that mysteries can be both thrilling and accessible.
The Making of Penny Warner
Penny Warner’s journey to becoming a literary star began with a spark from her childhood love of Nancy Drew mysteries. Holding a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in special education, she taught child development and sign language at colleges like Diablo Valley and Chabot in California. Her expertise in special education shaped her unique perspective, leading to the creation of Connor Westphal, a deaf reporter who solves crimes using her heightened senses. Warner’s early career also included non-fiction, penning parenting guides and activity books, which honed her ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Penny Warner’s Unforgettable Stories
Warner’s bibliography is a treasure trove of mysteries and children’s adventures. Her Connor Westphal series, starting with Dead Body Language (1997), follows a deaf journalist in California’s Gold Country. The book won a Macavity Award for Best First Mystery and was nominated for Agatha and Anthony Awards, praised for its fresh take on sleuthing. Her Party-Planning Mystery series, featuring Presley Parker, kicks off with How to Host a Killer Party (2010), blending humor and mayhem in a San Francisco setting. Under the pseudonym Penny Pike, Warner’s Food Festival Mysteries, like Death of a Crabby Cook (2014), serve up cozy crimes with a side of culinary flair.
For younger readers, the Code Busters Club series, beginning with The Secret of the Skeleton Key (2011), is a standout. This middle-grade series, which has sold half a million copies, follows four kids cracking codes to solve mysteries. It won three Agatha Awards and was nominated for Anthony Awards, lauded for its interactive puzzles and diverse characters, including a deaf protagonist. Warner’s style—lively, accessible, and layered with real-world themes like inclusion—makes her stories resonate across ages.
Why Penny Warner Matters
Penny Warner’s impact extends beyond her page-turning plots. Her focus on diverse characters, like deaf protagonists, brings representation to mystery fiction, inspiring readers who rarely see themselves in the genre. Her Code Busters Club series encourages young readers to embrace problem-solving and teamwork, fostering a love for reading and critical thinking. Warner’s global reach, with translations in countries like Japan and Russia, underscores her universal appeal. As an educator and community advocate, she’s also championed literacy through interactive mystery events and writing workshops, leaving a lasting mark on aspiring authors.
- Born: 1947 in Japan
- Key Works: Dead Body Language, How to Host a Killer Party, The Secret of the Skeleton Key
- Awards: Macavity Award (1998), Multiple Agatha Awards (2001, 2016)
- Fun Fact: Her Connor Westphal series was optioned for TV/film by Marlee Matlin’s production company.
Ready to crack a case with Penny Warner? Snag The Secret of the Skeleton Key or Dead Body Language and dive into her thrilling, inclusive world of mysteries!