Step into the enchanting world of the Beaufort and Company Mysteries, where ghostly clients and celestial courtrooms await! Authored by Mary Stanton, this cozy mystery series with a supernatural twist follows Brianna Winston-Beaufort, a savvy lawyer who inherits a haunted law firm in Savannah, Georgia. Bree’s cases blend earthly sleuthing with otherworldly advocacy, making every book a delightful mix of chills, thrills, and Southern charm.
With its unique premise of defending both the living and the dead, the series captures the imagination of readers who love a good mystery with a dash of the paranormal. Whether you’re a fan of cozy mysteries or crave a touch of the supernatural, Beaufort and Company Mysteries offers a fresh, engaging escape into a world where justice spans the mortal and celestial realms.
How Beaufort and Company Mysteries Began
Mary Stanton, a prolific author also known as Claudia Bishop for her Hemlock Falls Mysteries, launched the Beaufort and Company Mysteries in 2008 with Defending Angels. Inspired by her love for blending genres, Stanton crafted a series that marries the cozy mystery’s warmth with paranormal intrigue. Set in the atmospheric city of Savannah, the series reflects Stanton’s knack for creating vivid settings and quirky characters, drawing from her diverse writing career that spans fantasy, mystery, and children’s literature.
Stanton’s vision was to explore justice in a supernatural context, with Bree navigating the Celestial Court—a divine legal system where souls face charges like greed or betrayal. This innovative concept, paired with Stanton’s engaging storytelling, quickly won over fans of paranormal cozy mysteries, establishing the series as a unique gem in the genre.
The Heart of Beaufort and Company Mysteries
The series kicks off with Defending Angels (2008), where Bree inherits her uncle’s law firm and meets her first ghostly client, a businessman seeking to clear his name of greed in the Celestial Court. In Angel’s Advocate (2009), Bree tackles a case involving a spoiled heiress and her deceased millionaire father, balancing earthly and ethereal challenges. Avenging Angels (2010) sees Bree investigating a banker’s alleged suicide, uncovering foul play, while Angel Condemned (2011) weaves a murder mystery around an ancient artifact, the Cross of Justinian.
At its core, the series explores themes of justice, redemption, and the interplay between life and the afterlife. Stanton’s Savannah setting, with its moss-draped oaks and historic charm, acts as a vivid backdrop, grounding the supernatural elements in a cozy, familiar atmosphere. The books’ brisk pacing, quirky characters—like Bree’s angelic staff and her dog, Sasha—and blend of humor and suspense make them irresistible to fans of both mystery and fantasy.
Bree herself is a standout: a determined yet relatable heroine whose journey into celestial law reveals her strength and curiosity. Stanton’s world-building, particularly the Celestial Court, adds depth, hinting at larger arcs that keep readers hooked across the five-book series.
Why Beaufort and Company Mysteries Resonates
Beaufort and Company Mysteries carved a niche in the paranormal cozy mystery genre, earning praise for its originality and charm. Reviews from outlets like Publishers Weekly and Romantic Times hailed the series as “a breath of fresh air” for its clever fusion of legal drama, supernatural stakes, and Southern flair. Fans on platforms like Goodreads cherish Bree’s wit and the series’ ability to balance spooky thrills with heartwarming moments.
Though the series concluded with five books, its legacy endures among readers who seek out unique, character-driven mysteries. Its blend of celestial justice and earthly sleuthing offers a refreshing take on the cozy mystery, making it a hidden treasure for genre enthusiasts eager to discover something new.
- Publication Years: 2008–2011
- Number of Books: 5
- Setting: Savannah, Georgia
- Genre: Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Grab Defending Angels and dive into the Beaufort and Company Mysteries’ spellbinding world of ghosts, justice, and Southern charm!