Karen E. Olson is the author of multiple mystery and thriller series, including the Annie Seymour mysteries and the Black Hat Thrillers. Her debut novel, "Sacred Cows," won the Sara Ann Freed Award for best first mystery, while her fourth book, "Shot Girl," was shortlisted for a Shamus Award. Her latest works include "An Inconvenient Wife," a modern Tudor mystery that reimagines Henry VIII and his wives as a crime novel, with its sequel, "A Defiant Woman," slated for release in March 2026.
Before turning to fiction, Olson spent two decades as a journalist, drawing inspiration from newsroom experiences to craft her early mysteries. Her Annie Seymour series, featuring a police reporter, reflects her firsthand knowledge of investigative journalism. Later, she ventured beyond realism with the Tattoo Shop mysteries, set in Las Vegas, and the Black Hat Thrillers, centered on a fugitive computer hacker.
Olson's writing spans multiple genres, from traditional mysteries to high-stakes thrillers, often blending historical intrigue with contemporary crime. Her fascination with Tudor history culminated in her modern retelling of Henry VIII's reign, merging her love of suspense with historical themes. Her diverse body of work showcases her versatility and ability to reinvent storytelling conventions.
Annie Seymour Mystery Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Sacred Cows
2005
2
Secondhand Smoke
2006
3
Dead of the Day
2007
4
Shot Girl
2008
Black Hat Thriller Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Hidden
2015
2
Shadowed
2016
3
Betrayed
2017
4
Vanished
2018
Guns + Tacos Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Tacos de Cazuela con Smith & Wesson (By: Gary Phillips)
2019
2
Three Brisket Tacos and a Sig Sauer (By: Michael Bracken)
2019
3
A Gyro and a Glock ( By: Frank Zafiro)
2019
4
Three Chalupas, Rice, Soda…and a Kimber .45 (By: Trey R. Barker)
2019
5
Some Churros and El Burro (By: William Dylan Powell)
2019
6
A Beretta, Burritos and Bears (By: James A. Hearn)
2019
7
Burritos & Bullets (By: Eric Beetner)
2020
8
Jalapeño Poppers and a Flare Gun (By: Trey R. Barker, Michael Bracken)
2020
9
Four Shrimp Tacos and a Walther P38 (By: Alec Cizak)
2020
10
A Taco, A T-Bird, A Beretta and One Furious Night (By: Ann Aptaker)
2020
11
Sopa and a Streetsweeper (By: Ryan Sayles)
2020
12
Dos Tacos Guatemaltecos y Una Pistola Casera (By: Mark Troy)
2020
13
Two More Tacos, a Beretta .32, and a Pink Butterfly (By: Dave Zeltserman)
2021
14
Two Tamales, One Tokarev, and a Lifetime of Broken Promises (By: Stacy Woodson)
2021
15
Chimichangas and a Couple of Glocks (By: David H. Hendrickson)
2021
16
Refried Beans and a Snub-Nosed .44 (By: Hugh Lessig)
2021
17
Two Steak Taco Combos and a Pair of Sig Sauers (By: Neil S. Plakcy)
2021
18
A Smith & Wesson with a Side of Chorizo (By: Andrew Welsh-Huggins)
2021
19
Two Tofu Tacos, a Taurus TX22, a Taycan, and a Ton of Trouble (By: Alan Orloff)
2022
20
Two Black Bean and Shrimp Quesadillas, and a Pink Ruger LCP (By: Joseph S. Walker)
2022
21
A Handful of Chicles and a Custom Nine (By: C.W. Blackwell)
2022
22
Two Shrimp Tacos and a .22 Ruger (By: Adam Meyer)
2022
23
Nachos, a Stun Gun, and a Wedding Ring
2022
24
No Food, No Drink, Just the Gun (By: Trey R. Barker)