The Recommended Reading Order for Felicity Philips Investigates
Steve Higgs's Felicity Philips Investigates series blends traditional cozy whodunits with wedding-themed chaos and a heavy dose of pet humor. The series is best read in publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, Felicity’s career trajectory, her relationships, and the ongoing banter between her pets develop sequentially, culminating in an epic crossover event.
Here is the recommended reading path, including the standalone novella:
- To Love and to Perish (2021)
- Tying the Noose (2021)
- Aisle Kill Him (2021)
- A Dress to Die For (2022)
- The Clown, the Witch, and the Cat: Pets Investigate (Novella #4.5) (2022)
- Wedding Ceremony Woes (2022)
- Something Stolen, Something Blue (2023)
- The Bride's Bouquet Bleeds (2023)
- The Chauffeur Did It (2024)
- Till Death Do Us Part (2024)
- The Royal Wedding (2025)
Detailed Breakdown of the Books
1. To Love and to Perish (2021)
We are introduced to Felicity Philips, a premier wedding planner for the rich and famous in Southeast England. She is trying to secure her dream gig planning a royal wedding, but her life is turned upside down when she is framed for murder. To clear her name, she has to rely on her own wits and her unique ability to understand her pets: Buster, a bulldog who thinks he is a caped avenger, and Amber, a sassy, highly critical ragdoll cat.
2. Tying the Noose (2021)
Felicity is hired for a high-profile celebrity wedding held on a remote, storm-isolated island off the coast of England. When a killer begins picking off the guests one by one, Felicity, Buster, and Amber must find the culprit before the storm clears and the killer escapes—or makes Felicity the next victim.
3. Aisle Kill Him (2021)
The action moves to a massive wedding fayre in London. Amid competitive vendors, demanding clients, and sabotage, a prominent figure is murdered. Felicity must weave through the professional drama of the wedding industry to unmask a killer who is using the chaotic event as the perfect cover.
4. A Dress to Die For (2022)
When an exclusive designer wedding dress becomes the center of a deadly rivalry, Felicity finds herself investigating the dark underbelly of high-fashion bridal boutiques. The competition turns fatal, proving that some people will literally kill for the perfect gown.
5. The Clown, the Witch, and the Cat (Novella #4.5) (2022)
Set during Halloween, this short story shifts the spotlight onto Felicity's pets. When two local children go missing, Buster and Amber engage in a fierce competition to see who can solve the mystery first. While Buster relies on his sense of smell and his imaginary superhero persona, Amber uses her sharp intelligence. Felicity's ninja-trained niece, Mindy, also makes a memorable appearance.
6. Wedding Ceremony Woes (2022)
Felicity manages to book another high-society wedding, but the event is plagued by disasters from the start. When a body is discovered during the ceremony, she must navigate the delicate social expectations of elite families while working with the police to solve the crime.
7. Something Stolen, Something Blue (2023)
A priceless family heirloom is stolen, and a guest is found dead. Felicity must investigate the historical mansion venue and its secrets, dealing with suspicious wedding guests who all seem to have secrets they would kill to keep hidden.
8. The Bride's Bouquet Bleeds (2023)
The floral arrangements for an upscale wedding contain a sinister surprise. When a florist is found dead, Felicity must dig into the local supply chains and family feuds to find out who wanted the wedding derailed.
9. The Chauffeur Did It (2024)
What starts as a minor transport mishap escalates into a full-scale murder investigation when a luxury wedding chauffeur is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Felicity is forced to look closely at the hired help and the secrets they transport.
10. Till Death Do Us Part (2024)
Felicity deals with a wedding where the groom is surrounded by enemies. A series of escalating threats begins with petty vandalism and quickly spirals into murder, leaving Felicity racing against the clock before the bride is left waiting at a deadly altar.
11. The Royal Wedding (2025)
Felicity finally lands the ultimate assignment: planning a royal wedding. However, the event is targeted by anti-royalist factions, professional saboteurs, and an insider threat. This book serves as a massive milestone and features crossover appearances from Steve Higgs's other popular series, including Patricia Fisher, Albert Smith, and the Blue Moon Investigations team.
Crossovers and the Steve Higgs Universe
For readers who enjoy expansive book universes, Steve Higgs has built a shared world across his cozy mystery series. While you do not need to read these other series to understand the plot of Felicity Philips Investigates, characters from Patricia Fisher, Albert Smith's Culinary Capers, and Blue Moon Investigations make an appearance in the series finale, The Royal Wedding. Reading those series beforehand will enhance your enjoyment of the final book, but it is not mandatory.
What to Know Before You Start
The series is set in the picturesque hills and historic estates of Southeast England. It is a lighthearted, clean cozy mystery series, meaning it features no graphic violence, gore, or strong profanity. The central hook is the dialogue between Felicity and her pets. Buster and Amber do not talk to other humans, but Felicity can understand them perfectly, leading to funny situations where she has to pretend she is talking to herself. The addition of Felicity's niece, Mindy—who is trained in martial arts—adds physical comedy and action to the sleuthing.