Tim Downs
Encyclopedia
Tim Downs is an American
author best known for his "Bug Man" series of novels featuring forensic entomologist Dr. Nick Polchak. The series includes the books "Like Flies To A Corpse" later re-named Shoofly Pie (2003), Chop Shop
(2004), First the Dead (2007), Less Than Dead (2008), Ends of the Earth (2009), as well as, a new release entitled "Nick of Time" (2011).
In addition, Downs is the author of the novels, Plague Maker (2006), Head Game (2007) and Wonders Never Cease (2010). Although not a "Bug Man" novel, Plague Maker featured a cameo by Dr. Polchak.
Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University
. While attending college, he created a comic strip, "Downstown
", which was printed in numerous college newspapers from 1974 through 1979, even after Downs' graduation in 1976. Three collections of "Downstown" were published by the Indiana Daily Student
: This is Winning? (1977); With Love, Chuck (1978); and Get in There and Quit (1978).
On March 24, 1980, the strip entered syndication with Universal Press Syndicate
. It appeared in more than a hundred major newspapers worldwide until Downs discontinued the strip on February 1, 1986. Downs self-published one retrospective collection of the series, The Laylo Papers: The Complete Guide to Relationships (1989), which remains in print.
Downs is also the founder of the Communication Center, a communication training and consulting ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
. Downs has also authored numerous books on Christian relationships and communication both on his own and in conjunction with his wife, Joy Downs. His first book, called Finding Common Ground (1999), a work of non-fiction, was awarded the Gold Medallion Award in 2000. Downs lives in Cary, North Carolina
, with his wife and three children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author best known for his "Bug Man" series of novels featuring forensic entomologist Dr. Nick Polchak. The series includes the books "Like Flies To A Corpse" later re-named Shoofly Pie (2003), Chop Shop
Chop Shop (novel)
Chop Shop is a crime novel by the American writer Tim Downs.This thriller features Nick “Bug Man” Polchak, a forensic entomologist who deduces clues to murders based on evidence left by insects on the victims. Dr. Riley McKay of the Allegheny County coroner's office is suspicious when analyzing...
(2004), First the Dead (2007), Less Than Dead (2008), Ends of the Earth (2009), as well as, a new release entitled "Nick of Time" (2011).
In addition, Downs is the author of the novels, Plague Maker (2006), Head Game (2007) and Wonders Never Cease (2010). Although not a "Bug Man" novel, Plague Maker featured a cameo by Dr. Polchak.
Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
. While attending college, he created a comic strip, "Downstown
Downstown
Downstown was an American comic strip created by Tim Downs in the spring of 1974, during his junior year of college at Indiana University. It began as a college feature...
", which was printed in numerous college newspapers from 1974 through 1979, even after Downs' graduation in 1976. Three collections of "Downstown" were published by the Indiana Daily Student
Indiana Daily Student
The Indiana Daily Student is an independent, student-run newspaper that has been published for the community of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana since 1867. The IDS is free and distributed throughout the campus and city.- Circulation :...
: This is Winning? (1977); With Love, Chuck (1978); and Get in There and Quit (1978).
On March 24, 1980, the strip entered syndication with Universal Press Syndicate
Universal Press Syndicate
Universal Press Syndicate, a subsidiary of Andrews McMeel Universal, is the world's largest independent press syndicate. It distributes lifestyle and opinion columns, comic strips and other content. Popular columns include Dear Abby, Ann Coulter, Roger Ebert and News of the Weird...
. It appeared in more than a hundred major newspapers worldwide until Downs discontinued the strip on February 1, 1986. Downs self-published one retrospective collection of the series, The Laylo Papers: The Complete Guide to Relationships (1989), which remains in print.
Downs is also the founder of the Communication Center, a communication training and consulting ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
Campus Crusade for Christ
Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries...
. Downs has also authored numerous books on Christian relationships and communication both on his own and in conjunction with his wife, Joy Downs. His first book, called Finding Common Ground (1999), a work of non-fiction, was awarded the Gold Medallion Award in 2000. Downs lives in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
, with his wife and three children.