Rhys Bowen is British by birth, and childhood summers, spent with relatives in a little village in North Wales, were the inspiration for her setting and eccentric characters in her Constable Evans Mystery series. Rhys grew up in England, was also educated in Germany and Austria, then studied at London University before landing a job with the BBC. While working in BBC drama, she began writing her own plays, several of which were produced by the BBC. She also sang in folk clubs with such luminaries as Al Stewart and Simon and Garfunkel. While in Australia she started drawing a daily cartoon for the Australian national newspaper.

When Rhys arrived in San Francisco, she began writing children's books. Her first picture book, written under her married name of Janet Quin-Harkin, won many awards, including a New York Times "Best Book of the Year". More picture books followed until she moved on up to young adult novels. Under the name Janet Quin-Harkin she has written almost one hundred books for children and teenagers, including a number one bestseller. Her books have sold about five million copies worldwide.

Eventually she decided to write what she likes to read. Taking a big gamble, she borrowed her grandfather's name and began to write the Constable Evans mysteries, set in her grandfather's corner of the world. The series achieved instant critical acclaim. Evan Help Us was called "a jewel of a story" by Publisher's Weekly and was nominated for a Barry award. In 2005 Evan's Gate was a finalist for the Edgar Award for best novel. In 2001 Rhys began a second series, this one set in turn-of-the-century New York and featuring feisty Irish immigrant Molly Murphy. The first title in the series, Murphy's Law, was an instant success, winning the Agatha Award for best mystery, as well as two awards for best historical mystery, and being named a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark award. The second Molly Murphy Mystery, Death of Riley, was released December 2002, and nominated for the Agatha and Reviewer's Choice Awards. The third book, For the Love of Mike, won the 2004 Anthony Award for best historical mystery, as well as the Bruce Alexander Memorial Award for best historical mystery, and received a starred review in Kirkus. It was also a finalist for the Macavity Award.

Rhys's short story "The Seal of the Confessional" was nominated for both the Anthony and the Agatha awards in 2001. Her story "Doppelganger" was an Agatha nominee and won the Anthony Award at the World Mystery Convention for best short story. It was selected for the World's Best Crime and Mystery Fiction anthology. Her story Voodoo was the lead story in the October Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and nominated for an Anthony award. Rhys is a former president of Mystery Writers of America, Northern California Chapter. When not writing she still loves to sing, play her Celtic harp and travel. She can be reached at rhys@rhysbowen.com.