How to Read the Manor House Mystery Series in Order
Julie Hyzy's delightful cozy mystery series—often referred to as either the Manor House Mystery series or the Manor of Murder Mysteries—follows Grace Wheaton, a passionate assistant curator (later curator) at the historic Marshfield Manor. Set in the fictional, charming town of Emberstowne, the series combines historical preservation, family secrets, and clever amateur sleuthing.
Because the relationships between Grace, the manor's wealthy owner Bennett Marshfield, her coworker Jack, and her troublesome sister Liza develop chronologically, we strongly recommend reading the books in order of publication.
Manor House Mystery Books in Recommended Reading Order
- Grace Under Pressure (2010): Grace Wheaton is thrilled with her job at Marshfield Manor, but when the curator is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect. She must find the real killer to protect her career and the manor's reputation.
- Grace Interrupted (2011): A Civil War reenactment on the grounds of Marshfield Manor turns deadly when a real bullet kills one of the participants. Grace steps in to untangle the historical grudge.
- Grace Among Thieves (2012): A film crew arrives at the estate, but the glitz and glamor are ruined by a string of thefts and a tragic murder. Grace has to find the culprit before the manor's treasures vanish.
- Grace Takes Off (2013): Grace takes a much-needed break to visit another historic estate, but she quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a new mystery away from home.
- Grace Against the Clock (2014): A historic clock restoration brings both elegance and death to Emberstowne. Grace must race against time to solve the murder.
- Grace Cries Uncle (2015): When Grace's estranged uncle makes an unexpected appearance and is tied to a murder investigation, family loyalty and professional duties clash.
- Grace Sees Red (2016): Local development plans and greedy investors threaten the sanctity of the historic estate, sparking local fury and a fatal confrontation.
- Grace to the Finish (2017): In the series finale, a banker is found dead, and Grace's scheming sister, Liza, causes massive trouble. Grace must tie up all the loose ends to find peace.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Unlike some long-running mystery series that feature prequels or time jumps, the Manor House Mystery series follows a straightforward timeline. Each book takes place shortly after the events of the previous one. Therefore, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. Starting with Grace Under Pressure and reading straight through to Grace to the Finish is the best way to watch Grace grow in her career and navigate her complicated personal life.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Marshfield Manor, here are a few useful tips to enhance your reading experience:
- The Setting is Key: Marshfield Manor is practically a character itself. Julie Hyzy spent significant time designing the layout, secret passages, and history of the estate to make it feel like a real, historic grand home.
- Standalone Mysteries, Ongoing Lives: Each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final page. However, Grace's relationship with Bennett Marshfield, her romance subplots, and the ongoing drama surrounding her sister Liza are serialized, making order-of-reading important for character development.
- The Author's Other Works: Julie Hyzy is also the New York Times bestselling author of the White House Chef Mystery series (featuring Olivia Paras) and the Alex St. James mysteries. While these series share Hyzy's signature wit and cozy atmosphere, they are completely separate universes with no crossovers.