James R. Benn Books In Order

Publication Order of Billy Boyle World War II Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

James R. Benn is one of the noteworthy authors from America who has written a number of successful books in the mystery and historical fiction genre. He is well known for writing down the Billy Boyle series set during the time of the World War 2nd. Before the start of his writing career, author Benn completed his graduation from the Connecticut University and obtained his Bachelors degree. He also earned his Masters degree from the University of Southern Connecticut State. Apart from being a writer, Benn has also worked as the director of a private library of family history called as the Godfrey Memorial Library. Author Benn went on to publish his first book at the age of fifty. It was in the year 2000 and his debut novel was titled as ‘Desperate Ground’. Benn was born on September 5, 1949, in New York City, New York, United States. He spent most of his growing days in Southington, Connecticut, where he completed his schooling from the Southington High School in the year 1967. An after earning his Bachelor’s and MLS degrees, he went to serve as a volunteer for the VISTA between the years 1969 and 1971. Prior to the beginning of his writing career, author Benn used to work as the head of information at the Public School located in West Hartford, Connecticut. When author Benn decided to write as a full time writer in the year 2010, he retired from his all other work profiles. He is married to a psychotherapist named Deborah Mandel.

The couple has a couple of sons and 7 grandchildren. Author Benn believes that writing the Billy Boyle mystery series has brought a lot of joy in his life. He was able to meet people online and in person from every part of the country as well as from foreign nations. His idea of the historical mystery series set during the 2nd World War started with the first book titled Billy Boyle. This book is set in Norway and England at the time of the year 1942. The next book in the series carried forward the story from a few months later at the time of the invasion of Allied forces into the French Northwest Africa. This way, author Benn has gone on to give the descriptions of a number of accounts from the 2nd World War. In all, he has published eleven books in the series so far up to the year 2016. Other than this novel series, author Benn has also written a couple of standalone books which were published by the Open Road Media. One of those shows that the effects of the combat of the Second World War during 3 stages of a man’s life. The next standalone book is a thriller set during the last stages of the War. As of today, author Benn lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut, along with his loving wife, two sons, and a dog named Ranger. His wife keeps him motivated all the time and also helps him in developing his characters, read his stories, give important suggestions and tips, as well as doing everything else to make his novels a better read. The two sons of author Benn have 7 children between them, all of whom live with him in his Connecticut house. Being a popular has allowed Benn the chance to become a member of the MWA as well as the Author’s Guild. He says that he has learned two important lessons from his writing career, which have helped him to a great extent in succeeding and move ahead in life.

The 11 books of the Billy Boyle World War II series written by author James R. Benn, were published between the years 2006 and 2016. Its initial book was released under the title ‘Billy Boyle’. Soho Press had published the book in the year 2016. At the start of the book, Billy Boyle is introduced as a young Irish-American police officer from Boston who has recently become a detective during the breakout of the World War 2nd. His family members try to use their high contacts in order to get a safe staff job for him away from the war zone. But, instead of the cushy, safe, and stateside assignment, Billy gets stationed in London, where the Blitz was going on with full force. Later, he gets by his uncle Dwight Eisenhower as his personal investigator. Billy Boyle had never been out of Boston before and therefore he did not have any knowledge about his potential as a detective. But when his uncle asks him to undertake his first task, he sets off to carry out his duty in Beardsley Hall, to investigate about the Norwegian government living in exile. Billy is accompanied by an exiled Polish officer and a good looking British woman named Wren. His job is to hunt down a spy who might have been sent there by the enemies. After a couple of murders and a robbery take place, Billy comes to know about his investigative powers. He gets a taste of the brutal effects of the war, which he never wanted to join. But, to the surprise of everyone and his own, Billy Boyle emerges as a better detective than expected.

The second book of the Billy Boyle series was released under the title ‘The First Wave’. It was also published by the Soho Press in the year 2007. In this book, it is depicted that Billy Boyle rises to the post of lieutenant. He is ordered by his boss named Major Samuel to accompany him in the first boat for landing on the Algerian shores at the time of the Allied invasion. At first, he seems reluctant to go, but is forced to follow the orders in the line of duty. He is tasked along with Major Samuel to arrange for the surrender of the French Forces. But, there appears to be a dissension between the local militia, the regular army, and the Free French of De Gulle. The black marketeers from America, who were in league with the army of the enemies, divert the supplies to the Casbah, which leads to a series of murders. Billy is asked to investigate on his own and solve the cases as soon as possible. Along with the brutal murder cases at the hands of the armed forces of the enemies, Billy Boyle appears to be more worried about rescuing the woman he loves. A British spy named Wren seems to have been captured by the enemies and Billy tries to get her back at all costs.

3 Responses to “James R. Benn”

1. Don Frisinger: 2 weeks ago

   I have read the entire series and now have both sons doing the same. Great reading! And the historical pages are really interesting.

   Reply
2. larry kain: 2 years ago

   I’ve enjoyed every book and looking forward to
   reading Proud Sorrows.

   Reply
3. John Howard: 3 years ago

   I have enjoyed all your books immmensly. I got interested because I had a friend named Billy Boyle, so I had to investigate. I have been hooked since book one.

   Reply