Faith Fairchild Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Faith Fairchild

For readers diving into Katherine Hall Page's cozy mystery universe, choosing where to start depends on whether you prefer following the publication timeline or a strict chronological sequence. Faith Fairchild is an appealing amateur sleuth whose life evolves significantly across the series, marrying, raising children, and expanding her catering business. Therefore, tracking her personal growth alongside the mysteries offers the most satisfying experience.

The Publication Order Path (Recommended)

Starting with the debut novel, The Body in the Belfry (1990), is the most popular and recommended way to read the series. This introduction establishes Faith's transition from her fast-paced Manhattan life to the quiet, sometimes deceptive atmosphere of Aleford, Massachusetts. Reading the books as they were published allows you to witness the natural development of her relationship with Reverend Tom Fairchild, the birth and growth of her children (Ben and Amy), and her integration into the local community. It also mirrors the author's development of Faith's catering business, Have Faith, and the introduction of recurring characters like Pix Miller.

The Chronological Order Path

If you prefer to read Faith’s adventures in the order they occur in her life, you will need to start with the prequels that were written later in the series. The Body in the Big Apple (published 10th in 1999) takes readers back to the late 1980s, when Faith was a single career woman running her catering business in New York City. Following that, The Body in the Boudoir (published 20th in 2012) turns the clock back to 1990, capturing the period just before Faith's wedding, her initial meeting with Tom, and pre-wedding jitters. Under a chronological plan, you would read these two books first before returning to the debut novel and proceeding in publication order.

The Complete Faith Fairchild Series List

Here is the full list of Faith Fairchild novels in their recommended reading sequence, reflecting their publication history:

1. The Body in the Belfry (1990) – Faith moves to Aleford and discovers a corpse in her husband's church belfry.
2. The Body in the Kelp (1990) – A vacation on Sanpere Island, Maine, is disrupted by a corpse in a tidal pool.
3. The Body in the Bouillon (1991) – Faith caters at a local nursing home where things turn deadly.
4. The Body in the Vestibule (1992) – A French vacation brings Faith face-to-face with international intrigue.
5. The Body in the Cast (1993) – A movie production in Aleford brings Hollywood drama and murder.
6. The Body in the Basement (1994) – Construction on Sanpere Island uncovers old secrets and a new body.
7. The Body in the Bog / The Body in the Marsh (1996) – Environmental disputes in Aleford escalate to murder.
8. The Body in the Fjord (1997) – Faith's close friend Pix Miller travels to Norway to investigate a disappearance.
9. The Body in the Bookcase (1998) – An antique theft turns lethal in Aleford.
10. The Body in the Big Apple (1999) – A prequel set in Faith's catering days in Manhattan.
11. The Body in the Moonlight (2001) – A new minister's wife in a neighboring parish becomes a target.
12. The Body in the Bonfire (2002) – Faith teaches a cooking class at a local prep school embroiled in bullying and murder.
13. The Body in the Lighthouse (2003) – A summer cottage renovation on Sanpere Island is plagued by local hostility.
14. The Body in the Attic (2004) – Faith uncovers decades-old secrets while clearing out a historic home.
15. The Body in the Snowdrift (2005) – A winter family gathering at a Vermont ski resort turns dangerous.
16. The Body in the Ivy (2006) – A high-society college reunion on a private island brings old rivalries to light.
17. The Body in the Gallery (2008) – Art theft and mystery at a local Aleford museum.
18. The Body in the Sleigh (2009) – A holiday mystery involving a sanctuary worker and a missing baby.
19. The Body in the Gazebo (2011) – Faith investigates the death of a respected local matriarch.
20. The Body in the Boudoir (2012) – The second prequel, detailing Faith and Tom's pre-wedding days in 1990.
21. The Body in the Piazza (2013) – Faith and Tom celebrate their 20th anniversary in Italy.
22. The Body in the Birches (2015) – A summer party on Sanpere Island leads to a search for a missing host.
23. The Body in the Wardrobe (2016) – Faith helps her friend Pix investigate suspicious activities in Savannah, Georgia.
24. The Body in the Casket (2017) – Faith is hired to cater a living wake that turns into a real crime scene.
25. The Body in the Wake (2019) – Faith deals with a crime wave on Sanpere Island while grappling with regional social issues.
26. The Body in the Web (2023) – Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, Faith tackles online harassment and local tragedy.

Prequels, Short Stories, and Travel Volumes

In addition to the main line of novels, Katherine Hall Page published Small Plates in 2014. This collection of short fiction compiles several cozy mysteries, some of which feature Faith Fairchild, alongside standalone tales. It is best read after you have established a familiarity with the main characters, though it can be enjoyed at any point in your reading journey.

While the primary settings of the series are the fictional town of Aleford, Massachusetts, and the picturesque Sanpere Island in Maine (which the author based on the real-world Deer Isle), Faith is also an avid traveler. Readers who enjoy exotic settings can look out for The Body in the Fjord (Norway) and The Body in the Piazza (Italy), which offer a change of pace from traditional New England village life.

What to Know Before You Start

The Faith Fairchild series is widely celebrated for its warmth, cozy small-town settings, and domestic details. However, Katherine Hall Page stands out in the cozy genre for her willingness to address real-world issues. Over the course of three decades, the novels have touched on themes such as environmental disputes, the opioid crisis (in The Body in the Wake), and the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic (in The Body in the Web). Despite these serious elements, the tone remains comforting, friendly, and grounded in community resilience.

As a professional caterer, Faith’s culinary expertise is a key element of the series. Most volumes include recipes at the back of the book, allowing readers to recreate the dishes Faith prepares for her clients and family, ranging from hearty New England chowders to elegant desserts. Katherine Hall Page's contributions to the mystery genre have earned her three Agatha Awards and the prestigious Grand Master title from the Mystery Writers of America in 2024.