Mrs. Pargeter Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Mrs. Pargeter series in publication order. While each novel presents a self-contained mystery that can technically be read as a standalone, the series features a recurring cast of colorful "business associates" left behind by Melita's late husband. Reading the books in order allows you to appreciate the character development, the growing complexity of Melita's network, and the running jokes regarding the mysterious, unseen Mr. Pargeter.

1. A Nice Class of Corpse (1986)
2. Mrs., Presumed Dead (1988)
3. Mrs. Pargeter's Package (1990)
4. Mrs. Pargeter's Pound of Flesh (1992)
5. Mrs. Pargeter's Plot (1996)
6. Mrs. Pargeter's Point of Honour (1998)
7. Mrs. Pargeter's Principle (2015)
8. Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations (2017)
9. Mrs. Pargeter's Patio (2023)
10. Mrs. Pargeter's Past (2025)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For almost the entire series, the publication order matches the chronological order of Melita Pargeter's sleuthing adventures. The books follow her as she moves from Worthing hotels to Greek villas, and eventually back to her home where new mysteries surface. However, a significant chronological shift occurs in the tenth book, Mrs. Pargeter's Past (2025). This installment features extensive, detailed flashbacks to the early days of Mr. and Mrs. Pargeter's marriage, allowing readers to finally meet the legendary Mr. Pargeter in person after decades of him being a purely off-page presence. Despite these flashbacks, it remains best to read this book tenth, as the framing story takes place in the present day and relies on the reader's long-standing familiarity with Melita's established lifestyle.

The Core Books and Cozy Mysteries

A Nice Class of Corpse (1986)

The series opens at the Devereux, a genteel seaside hotel in Worthing catering to elderly guests who wish to maintain polite appearances. Mrs. Pargeter arrives as a new guest, quickly realizing that the hotel's quiet facade conceals deep resentment and dark secrets. When a series of fatal accidents occurs among the residents, Melita decides to look into the deaths herself, marking the start of her amateur detective career.

Mrs., Presumed Dead (1988)

In this second outing, Mrs. Pargeter decides to rent a house in a modern, highly secure executive estate. She soon discovers that the previous tenant, a woman named Theresa Cotton, has vanished. Intrigued by the suspicious circumstances and the neighbors' evasive answers, Mrs. Pargeter begins an investigation that takes her behind the polished doors of suburban middle-class life.

Mrs. Pargeter's Package (1990)

Looking for a change of pace, Mrs. Pargeter travels to the scenic Greek island of Corfu to fulfill a bizarre post-mortem request from a recently deceased friend. The errand quickly turns dangerous, exposing a web of real estate scams and local corruption. To navigate the international trouble, Melita relies heavily on the muscle and resources of her late husband's underworld contacts.

Mrs. Pargeter's Pound of Flesh (1992)

In need of relaxation, Mrs. Pargeter books a stay at a luxurious health spa alongside her companion, Kim. The peaceful retreat is shattered when a body is discovered and Kim mysteriously disappears. To locate her friend and expose the killer, Mrs. Pargeter calls upon Truffler Mason, a private investigator with a shady background and a deep loyalty to the Pargeter family.

Mrs. Pargeter's Plot (1996)

Melita decides to build her dream home, but construction is abruptly halted when a corpse is discovered buried in the wine cellar. Eager to clear the name of her innocent builder, Mrs. Pargeter launches an investigation. This entry is particularly loved by fans for introducing a mischievous, key-stealing monkey named Erasmus who plays a crucial role in the plot.

Mrs. Pargeter's Point of Honour (1998)

This novel marked the end of the series' initial run before a long hiatus. Mrs. Pargeter is tasked with a delicate mission: returning stolen high-value paintings to their rightful owners to protect the posthumous reputation of her late husband. The task proves difficult as she must dodge both suspicious museum curators and rival thieves.

Mrs. Pargeter's Principle (2015)

Simon Brett revived the character after a 17-year break. Melita attends the funeral of one of her late husband's most trusted criminal associates, which leads her to look into a series of odd occurrences at a nearby premium retirement village. The book successfully recaptures the lighthearted, cozy tone of the original novels while updating the setting for a modern audience.

Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations (2017)

Several of Mr. Pargeter's old associates decide to go straight by opening a legitimate public relations firm. However, they quickly find themselves in over their heads when their very first major client is linked to a murder. Mrs. Pargeter steps in to manage the crisis and ensure her husband's former crew stays out of prison.

Mrs. Pargeter's Patio (2023)

When a paving slab on her patio cracks, Mrs. Pargeter hires builders to repair it, only for them to dig up a human skull. Knowing that the police might dig into the history of the house—and potentially implicate the late Mr. Pargeter—Melita quickly mobilizes her network of specialists to find the real killer before the authorities can connect the dots.

Mrs. Pargeter's Past (2025)

The tenth installment provides the ultimate treat for long-time fans. As Mrs. Pargeter deals with a modern-day threat tied to her husband's legacy, the narrative weaves in flashbacks of her early years. For the first time, readers get to see the dynamic between Melita and the mysterious Mr. Pargeter when he was still alive and actively building his empire.

What to Know Before You Start

The Mrs. Pargeter books are widely considered some of the best examples of the British cozy mystery genre. What sets them apart is the moral ambiguity of the protagonist: Melita Pargeter is fully aware that her late husband made his vast fortune through illegal means, yet she feels nothing but love and loyalty toward his memory. She uses his wealth, his luxury cars, and his "little black book" of specialists—ranging from professional lock-pickers to counterfeiters—without any moral hesitation. The humor comes from the contrast between Mrs. Pargeter's polite, middle-class grandmotherly appearance and the criminal methods she uses to achieve justice.

Spin-Offs and Other Simon Brett Series

There are no direct spin-offs or crossovers featuring Mrs. Pargeter. Simon Brett's other mystery series exist in separate fictional universes. However, fans of Mrs. Pargeter will likely enjoy his other works: the Charles Paris series, which centers on a struggling, middle-aged actor solving crimes in the theater world; the Fethering Mysteries, featuring the crime-solving duo of Carole and Jude in a coastal village; and the Decluttering Mysteries, following professional declutterer Ellen Curtis.