Markham Sisters Books in Order

Recommended Reading Order: Where to Start?

For readers diving into the cozy world of the Markham Sisters, the best and most logical starting point is the first novella in the series, The Appleton Case (2015). Author Diana Xarissa designed the series with a highly structured alphabetical naming convention, moving from A to Z across 26 novellas. Reading the books in their alphabetical publication order allows you to properly experience the character development of the retired teacher sisters, Janet and Joan Markham, as well as the evolving relationships of the residents in the fictional Derbyshire village of Doveby Dale.

Because the overarching narrative, character relationships, and B&B business progress chronologically from one book to the next, jumping around the alphabet can lead to minor spoilers regarding the sisters' personal lives. For example, recurring characters like Janet's friend Edward Bennett are introduced early in the series and play ongoing roles that make the most sense when followed sequentially.

The Aunt Bessie Connection: Origins and Crossover Timeline

Before Janet and Joan Markham settled down in Doveby Dale to run their bed and breakfast, they were introduced to cozy mystery readers as supporting characters in Diana Xarissa's popular Aunt Bessie series (also known as the Isle of Man Cozy Mysteries). The sisters make their very first appearance in Aunt Bessie Decides (Book 4 of the Aunt Bessie series), published in 2015. In that book, they visit the Isle of Man, befriending the main protagonist, Elizabeth "Bessie" Cubbon.

The sisters became fan favorites, prompting Xarissa to give them their own spin-off series starting later that same year. Throughout both series, the characters occasionally cross paths. For instance, in Aunt Bessie Observes (Book 15 of the Aunt Bessie series), Janet and Joan return to the Isle of Man for a visit, only to stumble upon a fresh mystery. If you want to follow the absolute chronological journey of the Markham sisters, you should read their introductory chapters in the Aunt Bessie books before beginning their standalone adventures at Doveby House.

The Full Alphabetical Reading Order

The Markham Sisters series progresses in alphabetical order, with each book's title centered around a specific "case" named after a guest, neighbor, or local figure. Here is the complete order of the 26 novellas:

• The Appleton Case (2015) - Janet and Joan move into Doveby House and investigate the suspicious death of the previous owner.
• The Bennett Case (2015) - The sisters suspect an escaped criminal might be staying at their B&B.
• The Chalmers Case (2015) - A guest's strange behavior sparks a new investigation.
• The Donaldson Case (2016) - The sisters look into a local theft.
• The Ellsworth Case (2016) - Counterfeit currency circulates around Doveby Dale.
• The Fenton Case (2016) - Small-town secrets threaten a local family.
• The Green Case (2016) - A mystery involving an unusual heirloom.
• The Hampton Case (2017) - Strange occurrences disrupt a local event.
• The Irwin Case (2017) - Janet and Joan help clear a neighbor's name.
• The Jackson Case (2017) - Missing property at the B&B causes a stir.
• The Kingston Case (2017) - A local dispute escalates into a puzzling mystery.
• The Lawley Case (2018) - The sisters search for a missing person.
• The Moody Case (2018) - Strange rumors spread about a new guest.
• The Norman Case (2018) - A long-hidden secret comes to light.
• The Osborne Case (2018) - The sisters investigate suspicious financial transactions.
• The Patrone Case (2019) - A foreign visitor brings unexpected intrigue.
• The Quinton Case (2019) - A local historical mystery needs solving.
• The Rhodes Case (2019) - The sisters unravel a web of local lies.
• The Somerset Case (2020) - An old acquaintance brings trouble to Doveby Dale.
• The Tanner Case (2020) - A dispute over local property boundaries turns mysterious.
• The Underwood Case (2020) - A theft at a local charity event.
• The Vernon Case (2020) - The sisters investigate an unusual piece of art.
• The Walters Case (2020) - A mysterious package arrives at the B&B.
• The Xanders Case (2020) - A final series of puzzles leading to the end of their quiet era.
• The Young Case (2020) - Tensions rise as the sisters uncover deep-seated village secrets.
• The Zachery Case (2020) - The series finale, where a skeleton is discovered in the B&B's carriage house.

Chronological vs. Publication Order & Crossover Caveats

Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated timeline jumps or alternate chronological configurations within the Markham Sisters series itself. The chronological order perfectly matches the alphabetical publication order, starting with 'A' in 2015 and concluding with 'Z' in 2020. This simplicity makes the series highly accessible for casual readers.

The only major caveat involves their crossover appearances in the Aunt Bessie series. Because the Aunt Bessie books are also written chronologically, reading the crossover books out of order can occasionally result in minor spoilers regarding Aunt Bessie's life on the Isle of Man. If you plan to read both series, it is best to read them in the order they were published, allowing you to alternate between the Isle of Man and Derbyshire as the characters visit one another.

What to Know Before You Start

The Markham Sisters series is written in the "cozy mystery" tradition, but with a unique twist: it is almost entirely murder-free. Unlike standard cozies that open with a dead body, Janet and Joan Markham primarily investigate low-stakes, non-violent crimes such as theft, fraud, missing heirlooms, and counterfeit money. This makes the series exceptionally light, clean, and comforting. The only exception is the series finale, The Zachery Case, which features the discovery of a historical skeleton.

Each book is a quick novella, typically running around 25,000 words (or roughly 100 pages). They are designed to be fast, satisfying reads that can easily be finished in a single sitting. The books place a heavy emphasis on British small-town atmosphere, sisterly banter, and domestic details like baking, library research, and serving tea to B&B guests. While some readers find that the later books contain repetitive character introductions (a common necessity in indie serial fiction), the familiar rhythm remains a source of comfort for fans of the genre.