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Booktown Mysteries Books in Order

18 Books
2008 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Booktown Mysteries

The Booktown Mysteries, written by Lorna Barrett (a pen name for Lorraine Bartlett), follow a strictly linear timeline. Because character relationships, town events, and personal storylines evolve significantly from book to book, readers should follow the publication order. There are no standalone subseries or chronological deviations to worry about.

Where to Start

You should start with the very first novel, Murder is Binding (2008). This book introduces Tricia Miles, her mystery bookstore Haven’t Got a Clue, her sister Angelica, and the charming, book-themed town of Stoneham, New Hampshire. Starting here gives you the necessary context for Tricia's life and her ongoing sleuthing adventures.

Booktown Mysteries in Order of Publication

Here is the complete list of Booktown Mystery novels in their correct reading order:

  1. Murder is Binding (2008)
  2. Bookmarked for Death (2009)
  3. Bookplate Special (2009)
  4. Chapter and Hearse (2010)
  5. Sentenced to Death (2011)
  6. Murder on the Half Shelf (2012)
  7. Not the Killing Type (2013)
  8. Book Clubbed (2014)
  9. A Fatal Chapter (2015)
  10. Title Wave (2016)
  11. A Just Clause (2017)
  12. Poisoned Pages (2018)
  13. A Killer Edition (2019)
  14. Handbook for Homicide (2020)
  15. A Deadly Deletion (2021)
  16. Clause of Death (2022)
  17. A Questionable Character (2023)
  18. A Controversial Cover (2024)
  19. A Perilous Plot (2025)

Tie-Ins, Spin-Offs, and Co-Authored Projects

Unlike some cozy mystery series, the Booktown Mysteries do not feature any official novellas, short stories, or companion cookbooks. All entries in the series are full-length novels. Furthermore, there are no spin-offs or crossovers with the author's other series, such as the Victoria Square Mysteries (written under Lorraine Bartlett) or the Jeff Resnick Mysteries (written under L.L. Bartlett).

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Booktown Mysteries out of order?

It is not recommended. While each book features a standalone mystery, the overarching story, character relationships, and subplots develop chronologically. Starting with Murder is Binding is highly advised.

QWhat is the latest Booktown Mystery book?

The latest published novel in the series is A Perilous Plot, which was released in September 2025.

QAre there any short stories or novellas in the series?

No. The Booktown Mysteries series consists entirely of full-length novels, with no supplemental novellas or short stories.

QAre there crossovers with Lorna Barrett's other books?

No. Although Lorna Barrett also writes as Lorraine Bartlett (Victoria Square Mysteries) and L.L. Bartlett (Jeff Resnick Mysteries), the Booktown universe remains separate with no crossovers.

QIs Stoneham, New Hampshire, a real place?

No, Stoneham is a fictional town created by the author as a book lover’s dream destination filled with specialty bookstores.