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series Reading Order

Dorothy Martin Books in Order

26 Books
1995 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path for Dorothy Martin

If you are diving into the cozy, Anglophilic world of Dorothy Martin, the recommended reading path is simple: read the books in publication order. Unlike some mystery series that bounce around in time, the Dorothy Martin books follow a single, linear timeline. Jeanne M. Dams writes the series chronologically, meaning Dorothy’s age, her relationships, her residency status in England, and the recurring cast of characters in the fictional cathedral town of Sherebury all progress logically from one book to the next.

While the mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final page, skipping around will spoil major character developments. Most notably, Dorothy's relationship with Alan Nesbitt, the retired Chief Constable of Sherebury, evolves beautifully over the course of the first few novels. Starting at the beginning ensures you do not miss their journey from cautious allies to partners in crime-solving and, eventually, marriage.

The Complete Dorothy Martin Reading Order

Below is the chronological list of all Dorothy Martin novels, reflecting their publication dates. This list includes the latest entries, extending the series beyond the initial 26 books to include Dorothy's recent travels and upcoming adventures.

  • The Body in the Transept (1995) – Dorothy, a recently widowed sixtyish American expat from Indiana, stumbles over a canon's body in the cathedral on Christmas Eve. She meets Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt.
  • Trouble in the Town Hall (1996) – Dorothy adjusts to her new life in Sherebury while renovating her 400-year-old cottage and investigating a murder linked to the local town hall.
  • Holy Terror in the Hebrides (1997) – A trip to a remote Scottish island takes a dark turn when Dorothy is trapped with a killer during a storm.
  • Malice in Miniature (1998) – Dorothy investigates a murder connected to a local dollhouse museum and a prominent Sherebury family.
  • The Victim in Victoria Station (1999) – A trip to London turns deadly when a businessman Dorothy was chatting with is murdered at Victoria Station.
  • Killing Cassidy (2000) – Dorothy returns to Indiana for a high school reunion, only to find herself investigating the suspicious death of a wealthy classmate.
  • To Perish in Penzance (2001) – On vacation in Cornwall, Dorothy and Alan must clear the name of an old friend accused of murder.
  • Sins Out of School (2002) – Back in Sherebury, Dorothy looks into the disappearance of a young boy and the murder of a schoolteacher.
  • Winter of Discontent (2004) – A bitter winter in Sherebury brings trouble when a local builder is found dead, exposing town secrets.
  • A Dark and Stormy Night (2011) – After a seven-year publication gap, Dorothy returns to investigate a murder at a remote hotel during a fierce storm.
  • The Evil That Men Do (2012) – Dorothy helps her cleaner, whose husband is accused of a brutal assault and murder.
  • The Corpse of St James's (2012) – A historic church setting becomes the backdrop for a modern-day murder mystery.
  • Murder at the Castle (2013) – Dorothy and Alan attend a music festival at a medieval castle in Wales, only for a musician to turn up dead.
  • Shadows of Death (2013) – Dorothy investigates a complex case involving local art, historical secrets, and murder.
  • Day of Vengeance (2014) – Personal vendettas threaten Dorothy's household as old cases resurface.
  • The Gentle Art of Murder (2015) – Dorothy looks into the dark side of the local art community when an artist is murdered.
  • Blood Will Tell (2016) – A family dispute over inheritance turns lethal, and Dorothy is drawn in to find the truth.
  • Smile and Be a Villain (2016) – Dorothy investigates when a local theatrical production is disrupted by a real-life murder.
  • The Missing Masterpiece (2017) – Dorothy and Alan travel to Mont-Saint-Michel in France, where they get caught up in an international art theft mystery.
  • Crisis at the Cathedral (2018) – Trouble returns to Sherebury Cathedral, where a historical discovery is marred by a modern crime.
  • A Dagger Before Me (2019) – Dorothy has to solve a mystery involving historical reenactors and a real weapon.
  • Death in the Garden City (2019) – A visit to a historic garden suburb reveals hidden grudges and leads to murder.
  • Death Comes to Durham (2020) – While visiting the historic city of Durham, Dorothy and Alan are pulled into a mystery surrounding a local estate.
  • The Bath Conspiracy (2021) – A relaxing trip to the historic Roman baths of Bath, England, is cut short by a deadly conspiracy.
  • A Deadly Web (2022) – Dorothy unravels a web of lies when a local resident is targeted by a cunning killer.
  • Village Politics Can Be Murder (2024) – Local elections in Sherebury turn nasty, and Dorothy must step in to find out who is willing to kill for political power.
  • Terror on the Train (2025) – Dorothy and Alan travel across the United States from Chicago to Seattle on their way to a Canadian wedding, only for murder to board the train.
  • A Thief's Folly (Expected August 2026) – The 28th installment brings Dorothy back to Sherebury to deal with local thieves and a new mystery.

What to Know Before You Start

Jeanne M. Dams crafts her stories around the traditions of the classic British cozy. Despite Dams being an American author born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, she is a dedicated Anglophile. This passion shines through in her detailed, affectionate depictions of English village life, local tea shops, and historical architecture.

Dorothy Martin herself is a refreshing protagonist. She is not a young, agile detective; she is a senior citizen who wears colorful, flamboyant hats, struggles with joint pain, and relies on her sharp observation skills and friendly demeanor to get people talking. The series deals gently but realistically with the realities of aging, finding love later in life, and adapting to a completely new culture.

For readers who enjoy Dams' writing style, she has also written the Hilda Johansson series. Set in South Bend, Indiana, around 1900, it follows a Swedish immigrant housemaid who solves mysteries. While there are no direct crossovers due to the difference in time periods, both series share Dams' signature historical grounding and warm, character-driven storytelling.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Dorothy Martin books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a complete, self-contained mystery. However, you will miss out on the rich character development and the progression of Dorothy's relationship with Alan Nesbitt if you read them out of order.

QWhere does the Dorothy Martin series take place?

The series is primarily set in the fictional cathedral town of Sherebury in England, though Dorothy’s adventures occasionally take her to Scotland, Wales, France, and back to the United States.

QWho is Dorothy's main partner in the series?

Dorothy's primary partner in crime-solving is Alan Nesbitt, a retired Chief Constable who starts as her contact on the police force and eventually becomes her husband.

QWhy is there a big gap between book 9 and book 10?

There is a seven-year gap between Winter of Discontent (2004) and A Dark and Stormy Night (2011) due to publishing changes, but the internal timeline of the series resumes smoothly without leaving readers behind.

QAre there any spin-offs or crossovers with other Jeanne M. Dams books?

There are no direct spin-offs or crossovers. Dams' other major series features Hilda Johansson, which is set in South Bend, Indiana, in the early 20th century, making a crossover chronologically impossible.