Arthur W. Upfield

Arthur William Upfield, an English-Australian author, is well-known for his contributions to detective fiction and thriller novels. He is most famous for his Inspector Bonaparte series, which features an Australian police officer named Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte, also known as "Boney," is described as a half-caste Aborigine, and the series is based on Upfield's extensive knowledge of Aboriginal culture. Upfield's own experiences and travels around Australia greatly influenced his writing, and he is often regarded as an expert on Aboriginal culture and customs.\n \nUpfield was born in Hampshire, England, in 1890 and immigrated to Australia in 1911. He fought with the Australian military during World War I and spent the following years traveling around the country. During this time, he developed a deep appreciation for the Australian landscape and the Aboriginal people who inhabited it. Upfield was also a member of the Australian Geological Society and participated in numerous scientific expeditions, further expanding his knowledge of the country and its people.

Upfield's works remained popular after his death in 1964, and in the 1970s, they were adapted into the Australian television series "Boney." The series was based on the DI Napoleon Bonaparte series and featured the character of Boney as a detective in the Australian police force. The show was a success and helped to solidify Upfield's reputation as a master of detective fiction. In addition to his detective fiction, Upfield also wrote several standalone novels and contributed to various magazines and newspapers throughout his career.

In conclusion, Arthur William Upfield was a prominent author of English-Australian descent who is best known for his contributions to detective fiction. His experiences traveling around Australia and his knowledge of Aboriginal culture greatly influenced his writing and helped to establish him as an expert in the field. Upfield's works have remained popular and enduring, and his legacy continues to be celebrated in Australia and beyond.
Inspector Bonaparte Books
# Title Year
1 The Barrakee Mystery / The Lure of the Bush 1929
2 The Sands of Windee 1931
3 Wings Above the Diamantina / Wings Above the Claypan 1936
4 Mr. Jelly's Business/Murder Down Under 1937
5 Winds of Evil 1937
6 The Bone is Pointed 1938
7 The Mystery of Swordfish Reef 1939
8 Bushranger of the Skies / No Footprints in the Bush 1940
9 Death of a Swagman 1945
10 The Devil's Steps 1946
11 An Author Bites the Dust 1948
12 The Mountains Have a Secret 1948
13 The Bachelors of Broken Hill 1950
14 The Widows of Broome 1951
15 The New Shoe/The Clue of the New Shoe 1951
16 Venom House 1952
17 Murder Must Wait 1953
18 Death of a Lake 1954
19 Sinister Stones/Cake in the Hat Box 1954
20 The Battling Prophet 1956
21 Man of Two Tribes 1956
22 Bony Buys a Woman / The Bushman Who Came Back 1957
23 Bony and the Mouse / Journey to the Hangman 1959
24 Bony and the Black Virgin / The Torn Branch 1959
25 Bony and the Kelly Gang / Valley of Smugglers 1960
26 Bony and the White Savage 1961
27 The Will of the Tribe 1962
28 Madman's Bend / The Body at Madman's Bend 1963
29 The Lake Frome Monster 1966
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 The House of Cain 1928
2 The Beach of Atonement 1930
3 The Great Melbourne Cup Mystery 1932
4 Gripped by Drought 1932
5 A Royal Abduction 1932
6 Breakaway House 1987
Short Stories/Novellas
# Title Year
1 Up and Down Australia 2008
2 Up and Down the Real Australia 2009
3 Up and Down Australia Again 2010
Short Story Collections
# Title Year
1 Walkabout 2021
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Murchison Murders 1934
2 The Gifts of Frank Cobbold 2008
3 Beyond the Mirage 2020
Arthur W. Upfield Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Bodies from the Library 2019