Emmett McDowell (1914–1975), also published as Robert E. McDowell, was an American writer of science fiction, mystery and regional history. After World War II service, he began publishing fiction with “The Happy Castaway” in Planet Stories in 1945. He wrote space opera and planetary romance for Planet Stories, along with detective novels and stories.

McDowell wrote the Señorita Scorpion story “Somebody Killed My Gal!” for Action Stories, continuing Les Savage Jr.’s series. He also published several Ace Double mysteries featuring detective Jonathan Knox and later wrote histories of Kentucky.