Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Books in Order

How to Read the Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Series

If you enjoy classic British amateur sleuth stories with a lighthearted touch, Gillian Larkin's Julia Blake series is a perfect fit. The series centers around Julia Blake, a relatable young entrepreneur who runs a cleaning business called Clean and Sparkle. Through her work, Julia gains entry to her clients' private spaces, which frequently puts her in the perfect position to uncover secrets, spot overlooked clues, and stumble upon dead bodies.

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the series in publication order. Although each book presents a standalone mystery that is resolved by the final page, there is a steady thread of character development. Readers will enjoy watching the growth of Julia's cleaning business, her evolving working relationship with her colleague Cain, and the heartwarming support of her father, all of which build from one book to the next.

The Core Reading Order and Database Discrepancy

Depending on where you look up this series, you might see it listed as either a 10-book or an 11-book series. This confusion stems from the second published installment, A Deadly Restoration, which is occasionally omitted from certain digital collections and database listings. To ensure you do not miss any of Julia's sleuthing adventures, it helps to understand both variations.

The Complete 11-Book Worldwide Release Order

This is the chronological publication path as released by the author, which includes the often-missed second book:

1. Virtually Scared to Death (2013) – Julia discovers a wealthy client dead in his apartment, with a mysterious computer game offering the only clues.
2. A Deadly Restoration (2013) – Julia investigates the suspicious death of her next-door neighbor, Leo Kennedy, who made enemies while restoring his house.
3. A Party to Die For (2013) – A high-society celebration turns tragic, pulling Julia into a web of wealthy suspects.
4. A Secret Killer (2015) – A local genealogist is murdered after discovering a shocking family secret, leading Julia to hunt through local histories.
5. Death Takes a Trip (2015) – Julia's attempts to take a vacation are cut short when a body turns up, proving crime follows her wherever she goes.
6. A Fair Murder (2015) – An unpopular school headmaster meets a grim end during a community fair, turning the local festivities into a crime scene.
7. Death Shows Up (2015) – A shocking unexpected arrival leads to a murder mystery that strikes close to home.
8. Murder Makes a Claim (2015) – Rivalries and long-held disputes boil over in a mystery centered around inheritance and local property claims.
9. Knitting and Murder (2016) – What should have been a peaceful local craft circle becomes the backdrop for a clever whodunit.
10. Death at the Spa (2016) – A relaxing spa retreat turns into a fight for survival when one of the guests is found dead.
11. Exercising the Past (2017) – The final entry wraps up the series as old secrets resurface, forcing Julia to confront the past to solve a final crime.

The 10-Book Alternative Database Order

If you are tracking your reading through certain platforms or box sets that skip the second book, the order is adjusted as follows:

1. Virtually Scared to Death (2013)
2. A Party to Die For (2013)
3. A Secret Killer (2015)
4. Death Takes a Trip (2015)
5. A Fair Murder (2015)
6. Death Shows Up (2015)
7. Murder Makes a Claim (2015)
8. Knitting and Murder (2016)
9. Death at the Spa (2016)
10. Exercising the Past (2017)

What to Know Before You Start

Gillian Larkin's writing style is heavily inspired by classic British detective fiction, particularly the puzzle-oriented approach of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, as well as the lighthearted investigative tone of television shows like Murder, She Wrote. The crimes in these books are bloodless, meaning there is no graphic violence, gore, or heavy grit. Instead, the focus remains firmly on character interactions, humorous situations, and logic-based puzzle solving.

The stories are set in quaint, tight-knit British towns and villages, providing a comforting, atmospheric backdrop. While Julia is the primary investigator, she is regularly assisted by her employee and colleague, Cain, and her father, who acts as a sounding board. This small, recurring cast gives the books a warm, familiar feel that cozy mystery fans love to binge-read.

Spin-Offs and Companion Series

Once you finish Julia's story, author Gillian Larkin has written several other cozy and paranormal mystery series set in similar worlds that you might enjoy:

• Ray and Cain Mystery Series: A separate series featuring Cain that is perfect for readers who wanted to see more of his character outside of Julia's cleaning business.
• Butterworth Mystery Series: Follows Connie Butterworth, a spunky retiree who decides to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a private investigator.
• Storage Ghost Mystery Series: A paranormal cozy series where characters interact with spirits to solve cold cases.
• Pearl and Derek Mystery Series: Another paranormal cozy series following Derek, a man who can see the ghosts of murder victims, and his ghostly companion, Pearl.