JOSEPH THOMAS OWENS

ABOUT JOSEPH THOMAS OWENS

Joe is a fiction writer specializing in mysteries, thrillers, gothic horror, and crime—particularly stories inspired by real historical cases from the Victorian era. He writes both novels and screenplays, some of which are destined for adaptation to film.

He's currently working on a novel he began in 1992 and has recently started working on again. "It's a bit strange. When I started it , 1992 was the present and now it's the past. I have thirty-three years of progress I have to ignore. People have asked 'why not just move it to the present?", but the concept lends itself to a world of pay phones, boom boxes and solving cases without things like DNA. it belongs in the 1990s". He's even doing most of the writing on the same IBM Selectric typewriter where the book began.

A lifelong fan of classic whodunits and legal dramas, he is currently developing three historical crime series set in 19th-century England, both built around complex characters navigating justice, power, and secrets in a rapidly changing world. 

The Private Enquiries of Victoria Graves features the young, bright and inquisitive daughter of the Reverend John Graves who shares her father's passion for faith and justice, is a modern woman in a rapidly changing time, and whose relationship with deceased murder victims is, in a word, unique. 

The Investigations of Adolphus Blythe follows a retired Scotland Yard inspector known for his sharp eye, relentless logic, and mastery of interrogation. 

The Trials of Jonathan Blackwood centers on a young barrister committed to defending the innocent—even when it puts him at odds with the powerful forces of Victorian society. 

All three series draw from forgotten true crimes, blending meticulous research character-driven storytelling with a Victorian gothic flair in the style of Wilkie Collins, Mary Elizabeth Braddon and other greats of the time.

Joe believes a great mystery isn't just about solving the crime—it's about exploring the darker corners of human nature, justice, faith, and morality. His stories reflect the belief that the past may not be as distant as we think, with tensions and truths that still echo today.

He has released works with Big Five publisher HarperCollins, graphic novels, and self-published fiction. He believes in the philosophy of Italian historian and author Umberto Eco, who said, “To survive, you must tell stories.”

He's currently adapting several of his works for film and TV. He also collaborates with independent film makers on projects that reflect his narrative style and vision.

He lives and writes in Clearwater, Florida, where he divides his time between the page, the beach, and walks with his dogs, Beau and Snoop. He holds degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing from Temple University and York University. He prefers Jeeps to sedans, travel to routine, and mystery to politics.

If you like your fiction rich with atmosphere, layered with character, laced with intrigue, and sufficient to require a peek under the bed and a look in the closet before sleeping, you’re in the right place. The stories are already taking shape—and there’s always murder afoot.