Dorothea Benton Frank, author of 20 novels set primarily in the Lowcountry of coastal South Carolina, died September 2 at age 67. She was born and raised in Sullivan's Island, S.C., at the entrance to Charleston harbor. Most of her books are literal beach reads, taking place on summertime South Carolina barrier islands. Frank published her first novel, Sullivan's Island, in 1999. Her other works include Plantation (2001), Pawley Island (2005), Bull's Island (2008) and All Summer Long (2016). Many of Frank's novels feature strong matriarchs, family drama, romance and, of course, the beach. Her final novel, Queen Bee, was published by Morrow in May ($27.99, 9780062861214). It follows a Sullivan Island beekeeper/librarian who must deal with her overbearing mother, nicknamed Queen Bee, and the unexpected return of her dramatic sister.
Cassandra King, author and wife of the late Pat Conroy, called Frank "a force of nature" with "such a big heart," the Post and Courier wrote. She recalled how much Conroy liked Frank, saying they "were so funny together. She called him Fat Boy and he called her the Dotted One."