How to Read the Madoc & Janet Rhys Series
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series filled with small-town charm, eccentric characters, and a warm, slow-burn romance, the Madoc & Janet Rhys series is a perfect choice. Written by the celebrated cozy mystery author Charlotte MacLeod under her pseudonym Alisa Craig, the series follows the investigations of Madoc Rhys, an inspector with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Janet Wadman, who starts as a witness and becomes his partner in both life and sleuthing.
Because the books follow the personal lives, courtship, marriage, and family life of Madoc and Janet, the absolute best way to experience this series is in publication order. Fortunately, the chronological storyline aligns perfectly with the order in which the books were released, making your reading path straightforward.
The Madoc & Janet Rhys Reading Order
- A Pint of Murder (1980) – The series opener introduces Janet Wadman, who suspects foul play when her friend dies from eating home-canned green beans, and Inspector Madoc Rhys, who arrives to investigate.
- Murder Goes Mumming (1981) – The newly engaged couple travels to "Graylings," the isolated ancestral estate of the Condrycke family, where a heavy snowstorm and a suspicious death interrupt their Christmas holiday.
- A Dismal Thing to Do (1986) – Janet finds herself stranded in a Canadian blizzard after witnessing a truck crash, leading to a dangerous web of bootlegging and espionage that Madoc must unravel.
- Trouble in the Brasses (1989) – Madoc is hired to protect a traveling symphony orchestra led by his father. When a musician dies under mysterious circumstances, Madoc must solve the case alone while Janet is largely absent from the story.
- The Wrong Rite (1992) – The final novel takes the couple and their infant daughter, Dorothy, to Wales for a family reunion. A lighthearted reenactment of an ancient Beltane fertility ritual turns fatal, forcing Madoc to investigate his own eccentric clan.
Understanding the Alisa Craig Universe: Standalones and Spin-Offs
When searching for Alisa Craig novels, readers often encounter a few other titles that can cause confusion. Here is how they relate to the Madoc Rhys series:
The Standalone Mystery: The Terrible Tide
Published in 1983, The Terrible Tide is a standalone suspense novel set in a small New Brunswick town. It follows a recovering model named Holly Howe. Although it shares the same atmospheric Canadian Maritime setting as the Madoc Rhys books, it is a completely separate story and does not feature Madoc or Janet.
The Sister Series: The Grub-and-Stakers
Under the Alisa Craig pseudonym, MacLeod also wrote a five-book series called The Grub-and-Stakers. Set in the fictional town of Lobelia Falls, Ontario, these stories follow the comedic exploits of Dittany Henbit Monk and her husband, Osbert. While they share the same witty tone and Canadian cozy vibe, there is no direct crossover with the Madoc Rhys investigations.
What to Know Before You Start
Unlike many modern gritty police procedurals, the Madoc Rhys series is firmly in the cozy subgenre. You won't find graphic violence or vulgarity here. Instead, MacLeod focuses on small-town gossip, quirky family dynamics (especially Madoc's musically gifted but eccentric relatives), and the evolving partnership between the leads. While the mysteries themselves are engaging, the real highlight of the series is the sharp, humorous dialogue and the sweet relationship growth between Madoc and Janet.