Recommended Reading Order for Churchill & Pemberley
To fully enjoy the development of the characters, the quirky Dorset setting, and the evolving friendship between our two senior sleuths, it is best to read the Churchill & Pemberley series in publication (which is also chronological) order. Starting with their very first case allows you to see how Annabel Churchill and Doris Pemberley form their partnership and learn to navigate the local village dynamics of Compton Poppleford.
Chronological & Publication Order
- A Troublesome Case (Short Story) – This is a standalone introductory short story that is available for free by signing up for the author's newsletter. It can be read first as a fun teaser or at any point.
- Tragedy at Piddleton Hotel (Book 1, 2019) – Annabel Churchill, newly widowed, buys a detective agency and teams up with Doris Pemberley to investigate a suspicious death at a local hotel. This was shortlisted for the Amazon UK Kindle Storyteller Award.
- Murder in Cold Mud (Book 2, 2019) – A deadly gardening rivalry in Compton Poppleford pits the duo against poisoned cider and village secrets.
- Puzzle in Poppleford Wood (Book 3, 2019) – Annabel and Doris revisit a decades-old cold case involving a missing woman in the local woods.
- Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage (Book 3.5, 2019) – A festive novella set during the holidays, perfect to read right after the third book.
- Trouble in the Churchyard (Book 4, 2020) – The sleuths investigate a suspicious death close to home in the village churchyard.
- Wheels of Peril (Book 5, 2020) – A fast-paced mystery involving early cycling clubs and village rivalries.
- The Poisoned Peer (Book 6, 2021) – The duo investigates the untimely demise of a wealthy local peer.
- Fiasco at the Jam Factory (Book 7, 2021) – A sticky situation where the detectives go undercover at the local jam factory to solve a bellringer's murder.
- Disaster at the Christmas Dinner (Book 8, 2022) – Another festive mystery, where holiday celebrations turn chaotic and murderous.
- The Teapot Killer (Book 9, 2025) – A tea-themed puzzle that forces the duo to solve a series of poisoning threats.
- Death in the Deep End (Book 10, 2026) – The latest investigation, where a body in the swimming pool turns a summer holiday into a crime scene.
Where to Start
We highly recommend starting with Tragedy at Piddleton Hotel. Since the books build upon the duo's personal lives, their assistant-turned-partner dynamic, and their relationship with the grumpy Inspector Mappin, skipping ahead might spoil some character-driven developments. If you want a quick, risk-free taste of Emily Organ's style, you can read the free short story A Troublesome Case first.
Spin-offs and Crossovers
While Emily Organ has written other popular historical mystery series—such as the Victorian-era Penny Green and Emma Langley series, and the Augusta Peel series—there are no crossovers or spin-offs connecting them to the 1930s world of Churchill & Pemberley. Each series operates entirely in its own timeline and can be read independently.