How to Read the Charlotte Holmes Books in Order
Brittany Cavallaro's Charlotte Holmes series is a gripping young adult mystery quartet that reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary characters for a modern audience. The story follows Charlotte Holmes (Sherlock's brilliant but volatile great-great-great-granddaughter) and Jamie Watson (John Watson's descendant) as they meet at a Connecticut prep school and get drawn into dangerous criminal conspiracies.
Because the series features a continuous narrative arc, major character development, and a slow-burn relationship that evolves significantly from book to book, you should read the novels in strict publication (and chronological) order. Starting anywhere other than the first book will spoil major plot twists and emotional developments.
The Recommended Reading Order
- A Study in Charlotte (2016) – The series opener introduces Charlotte and Jamie at Sherringford, a boarding school in Connecticut. When a student is murdered under circumstances mirroring a classic Sherlock Holmes case, the two are framed and must team up to find the real killer.
- The Last of August (2017) – Set during winter break, the mystery moves to Europe (London and Berlin). Jamie and Charlotte search for Charlotte's missing uncle, uncovering art forgeries and deep-seated family secrets along the way.
- The Case for Jamie (2018) – Set after a dramatic separation, this book alternate perspectives between Charlotte and Jamie as they navigate trauma, isolation, and a dangerous new threat that forces them back together.
- A Question of Holmes (2019) – The final installment takes place during a summer program at Oxford University. Charlotte is hired to investigate a cold case involving a missing student, bringing her and Jamie's journey to a satisfying conclusion.
Spin-offs, Novellas, and Related Works
There are no official spin-offs, novellas, or short stories set in the Charlotte Holmes universe. The story begins with A Study in Charlotte and completely wraps up in A Question of Holmes.
However, if you want to explore more of Brittany Cavallaro's writing, you can check out her other works:
- The Muse Duology (Muse and Manifest) – A young adult historical fantasy series set in an alternate late 19th-century America.
- Hello Girls (2019) – A feminist, contemporary road-trip novel co-authored with Emily Henry.
- Sunrise Nights (2024) – A YA contemporary novel co-authored with Jeff Zentner.