Jaine Austen Books in Order

How to Read the Jaine Austen Mystery Series

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Jaine Austen Mystery series in publication order. While the mystery in each book is self-contained and can technically be enjoyed as a standalone, the character dynamics, recurring jokes, Jaine’s career updates, and the ongoing saga of her love life develop chronologically. Reading the books in order ensures you catch every running gag, from Jaine's battles with her fluctuating weight to her cat Prozac's demanding behavior and the hilarious email updates from her retired parents in Florida.

The Complete Jaine Austen Book List in Publication Order

Here is the full chronological publication order of the Jaine Austen Mystery books, including the holiday novellas that have since been published as standalone stories:

1. This Pen for Hire (2002) — Jaine’s debut. She takes a job writing a love letter for a shy client, only to end up as the prime suspect when his date is murdered.
2. Last Writes (2003) — Jaine lands a job writing for a sitcom, but the gig goes south when a demanding heartthrob actor is poisoned on set.
3. Killer Blonde (2004) — Jaine is hired to ghostwrite a book for a wealthy Beverly Hills socialite, only to get dragged into a family blackmail plot and murder.
4. Shoes to Die For (2005) — Working for a shoe designer, Jaine finds herself investigating the murder of a tyrannical fashion icon.
5. The PMS Murder (2006) — Jaine joins a support group, but one of the members is soon murdered, and Jaine must sort through the suspects.
6. Death by Pantyhose (2007) — When a sitcom writer is strangled with hosiery, Jaine dives back into the wacky world of Hollywood show business.
7. Killing Bridezilla (2008) — While assisting with a lavish wedding, Jaine is forced to investigate when the insufferable bride is murdered.
8. Killer Cruise (2009) — Jaine takes a job teaching creative writing on a luxury cruise ship, but a real-life killer is also on board.
9. Death of a Trophy Wife (2010) — When a wealthy businessman's young wife is killed, Jaine investigates the glamorous yet treacherous L.A. elite.
10. The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies (2010) — A holiday novella. Jaine visits her parents in Florida, where a local playboy is killed during a retirement community play.
11. Pampered to Death (2011) — Jaine treats herself to a relaxing spa getaway, only for the peaceful trip to be ruined by a dead body.
12. Death of a Neighborhood Witch (2012) — A spooky Halloween-themed investigation where Jaine’s eccentric neighbor is murdered.
13. Killing Cupid (2013) — Jaine helps run a matchmaking service, which turns deadly when a client is murdered.
14. Death by Tiara (2015) — Jaine enters the cutthroat world of beauty pageants after a judge is murdered.
15. Murder Has Nine Lives (2016) — Jaine's sassy cat, Prozac, gets a starring role in a cat food commercial, but the director is poisoned on set.
16. Death of a Bachelorette (2017) — Jaine investigates when a contestant on a reality dating show is found dead.
17. Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge (2018) — A festive mystery where a disliked neighbor is murdered during the holidays.
18. Death of a Gigolo (2019) — Jaine gets caught up in a murder investigation involving a wealthy woman's younger lover.
19. Murder Gets a Makeover (2021) — Jaine investigates a murder at a high-end beauty salon.
20. Death by Smoothie (2022) — A health food craze turns fatal, forcing Jaine to solve a murder centered around a trendy juice bar.
21. Nightmare on Elf Street (2023) — A holiday novella where Jaine takes a job as a mall elf, only for the resident Santa Claus to be murdered.
22. The Dangers of Candy Canes (2023) — A festive novella in which a client is sued after an accident involving a giant roof decoration that might actually be murder.
23. Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket (2024) — Jaine takes a trip on a luxury train, but a bullying gym mogul's death leaves her trapped on board with a killer.

Understanding the Holiday Anthologies & Novellas

Several titles in the Jaine Austen lineup—specifically The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies, Nightmare on Elf Street, and The Dangers of Candy Canes—began their lives as novella contributions to multi-author holiday anthologies. Laura Levine frequently teamed up with other beloved cozy mystery authors like Joanne Fluke and Leslie Meier for these collections (such as Candy Cane Murder, Gingerbread Cookie Murder, and Secret Santa). In recent years, these stories have been released as standalone digital editions. While they are lighter and shorter than the main novels, they are full of Jaine's signature wit and fit perfectly into her seasonal adventures.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive into Jaine's chaotic world, here is what makes this series a standout in the cozy mystery genre:

• Sitcom Roots: Author Laura Levine was a television comedy writer for classics like Laverne & Shirley and The Love Boat. Her television background shows in her fast pacing, punchy dialogue, and hilarious situations.
• Prozac the Cat: Jaine's heavy, sassy, and demanding cat, Prozac, is a fan-favorite character who frequently steals the spotlight and demands treats at the worst possible times.
• The Parents' Emails: Jaine's retired parents, Midge (using the handle 'Shoptillyoudrop') and Al ('DaddyO'), send Jaine regular, hilariously nagging emails from their Florida retirement community. These messages are filled with terrible spelling, unnecessary formatting, and updates on trivial neighborhood feuds that serve as perfect comic relief.
• Modern L.A. Setting: Unlike many cozy mysteries set in quaint small towns, Jaine operates in the glitzy, high-stress backdrop of Los Angeles, offering a satirical look at Hollywood culture, beauty standards, and Beverly Hills vanity.