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series Reading Order

Althea Rose Mystery Books in Order

11 Books
2015 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Althea Rose Mystery Series in Order

To get the most out of Althea Rose’s psychic adventures, the best path is to follow the publication order. Because the characters' personal relationships, psychic abilities, and magical skills develop over time, reading the books in sequence ensures you won't spoil any key character development.

Fortunately, the chronological order matches the publication order exactly, as the three novellas fall neatly into place between the main novels. Here is the recommended reading sequence:

  1. One Tequila (2015) – The first full-length novel introducing psychic sleuth Althea Rose and the town of Tequila Key.
  2. Tequila for Two (2015) – The second novel.
  3. Tequila Will Kill Ya (2015) – Novella 2.5, set during Halloween.
  4. Three Tequilas (2016) – The third full-length novel.
  5. Tequila Shots & Valentine Knots (2016) – Novella 3.5, a romantic Valentine's Day story.
  6. Tequila Four (2017) – The fourth novel.
  7. A Fifth of Tequila (2018) – The fifth novel.
  8. A Sixer of Tequila (2019) – The sixth novel.
  9. Seven Deadly Tequilas (2020) – The seventh novel.
  10. Eight Ways to Tequila (2021) – The eighth and final main novel.
  11. Tequila for Christmas (2021) – Novella 8.5, a holiday-themed mystery that wraps up the series.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

There are no complicated timeline jumps in the Althea Rose Mystery series. Since the publication order aligns perfectly with the chronological order, you can simply read the books as they were released. The novellas (Tequila Will Kill Ya, Tequila Shots & Valentine Knots, and Tequila for Christmas) act as lighthearted bridges between the main novels. While they are technically standalone mysteries, we highly recommend reading them in their numbered slots to enjoy the holiday and seasonal milestones in the correct flow of Althea's life.

The Tequila Key Universe and Spin-offs

The Althea Rose Mystery series is fully self-contained. It is set in the fictional town of Tequila Key, Florida. While Tricia O'Malley has written other popular paranormal romance series, such as the Mystic Cove and Isle of Destiny series (which feature their own crossover novella, Wild Irish Christmas), the Althea Rose books do not cross over with her Irish or Scottish settings. You can dive into Althea's world without needing to read any of O'Malley's other books.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Althea Rose Mystery series?

You should start with the first novel, One Tequila (2015). Since the series follows a continuous timeline of character relationships and psychic growth, starting from the beginning is highly recommended.

QAre the Althea Rose novellas essential?

While the novellas (like Tequila Will Kill Ya and Tequila for Christmas) are fun, self-contained stories, they are not strictly mandatory to understand the main plots. However, they introduce important character milestones, so reading them in order is recommended.

QIs the Althea Rose Mystery series finished?

Yes, the series is completed. The main storyline wraps up with the eighth novel, Eight Ways to Tequila, and the final holiday novella, Tequila for Christmas, both of which were published in 2021.

QWhere is the Althea Rose series set?

The series is set in Tequila Key, a fictional coastal town in Florida known for its gorgeous turquoise waters, key lime cocktails, and a high concentration of magic, witches, and ghosts.

QDoes this series have crossovers with other Tricia O'Malley books?

No, the Althea Rose series is standalone. While Tricia O'Malley's other series like Mystic Cove and Isle of Destiny share a crossover, Althea Rose remains isolated in her own Florida universe.

QHow many books are in the Althea Rose Mystery series?

There are 11 books in total: 8 full-length novels and 3 novellas, all written by Tricia O'Malley.