Books On Board

A Jazz Age Mystery Books in Order

  • 5 Books
  • 2012 – 2018 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read A Jazz Age Mystery

To fully experience Jasmine "Jazz" Cross's evolution from a society columnist to a hard-nosed crime reporter, the series should be read in chronological order. Because the chronological timeline matches the publication order exactly, following the books as they were released is the best way to trace the developing romantic tension between Jazz and Prohibition Agent James Burton, as well as the recurring subplots involving Galveston's criminal factions.

A Jazz Age Mystery Books in Order

The series consists of five novels published between 2012 and 2018. Because there are no side novellas, short stories, or spin-offs, the reading path is straightforward:

  • Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play (2012) – Jazz investigates a banker's suspicious death at her brother Sammy's speakeasy, launching her investigative career and introducing key allies.
  • Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets (2013) – Jazz covers a local beauty pageant that quickly becomes entangled with mob turf wars and bootlegging operations.
  • Gold Diggers, Gamblers and Guns (2014) – When her brother Sammy and agent James Burton are framed for murder, Jazz must infiltrate Galveston's underground gambling ring to clear their names.
  • Vamps, Villains and Vaudeville (2015) – A theatrical backdrop brings jewel thefts and mob debts, forcing Jazz to solve a series of stage-side murders.
  • Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death (2018) – Jazz investigates grave-robbing rumors, occult fortune tellers, and a ghostly bride at the historic Hotel Galvez, while trying to save Sammy from a murder frame-up.

The Galveston Setting: Fact Meets Fiction

Author Ellen Mansoor Collier drew heavily on Galveston's real-life Prohibition history as the "Sin City of the Southwest" to build her setting. The novels incorporate real locations like the Hotel Galvez and Hollywood Dinner Club, alongside fictionalized accounts of real historical gang rivalries between the Beach Gang and the Downtown Gang, offering readers an authentic taste of Texas's coastal history during the Roaring Twenties.

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended starting point for the A Jazz Age Mystery series?

We recommend starting with the first book, Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play. This establishes the characters, setting, and relationships that build throughout the sequels.

Do you need to read the Jazz Age Mystery books in chronological order?

Yes. Reading in chronological order is highly recommended because the characters' lives, careers, and personal relationships evolve across the novels, and the timeline matches the publication order.

Is there a sixth book in the A Jazz Age Mystery series?

No. Currently, the series concludes with the fifth book, Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death, which was published in 2018. No future installments have been announced by the author.

Where does the series take place?

The series is set in 1920s Galveston, Texas, focusing on its unique history as a major bootlegging hub and resort city during Prohibition.

Are there any spin-offs, short stories, or companion novels?

No. The series consists strictly of the five core novels written by Ellen Mansoor Collier, with no companion pieces or external spin-off series.