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Murder, She Wrote Books in Order

65 Books
1985 – 2002 Published
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How to Read the Murder, She Wrote Books

For decades, Jessica Fletcher has been the gold standard of cozy mystery sleuths. Whether you grew up watching Angela Lansbury's iconic performance on CBS or you are discovering the Queen of Cabot Cove for the first time, the spin-off novels offer the perfect way to spend more time in her world. With over 60 books in the lineup, knowing where to begin can feel a bit daunting. Fortunately, because the books are written as standalone whodunits, you have plenty of flexibility in how you approach them.

The Best Starting Point for Readers

If you want the true Murder, She Wrote experience, the absolute best place to start is with Gin & Daggers (1989). While there are a few television novelizations that predate it, this book is the official launch of the original, long-running novel series co-authored by Donald Bain. Starting here allows you to see how the literary version of Jessica Fletcher was established. Alternatively, because almost every book in the series functions as a self-contained mystery, you can easily jump in with any book that catches your eye, particularly seasonal favorites like A Killer Christmas or Snowy with a Chance of Murder.

The Two Distinct Book Eras: Novelizations vs. Original Series

When looking at the complete list of Murder, She Wrote books, it is helpful to understand that they fall into two distinct categories:

1. The Early TV Novelizations (1985–1986)

Before the ongoing book series began, there were four direct tie-in novelizations based on specific television episodes. The first three—The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985), Hooray for Homicide (1985), and Lovers and Other Killers (1986)—were adapted by author James Anderson. A fourth, Murder in Two Acts (1986), was adapted by David Deutsch. These books are great collector's items for die-hard fans of the show, but they are separate from the main continuity of the original novels.

2. The Main Original Novel Series (1989–Present)

Starting in 1989 with Gin & Daggers, publisher Signet (and later Penguin Random House) launched a series of brand-new, original mysteries. These books do not adapt TV episodes; instead, they continue Jessica's adventures beyond the screen. They are famously credited to "Jessica Fletcher" alongside a ghostwriter or co-author.

Understanding the Ghostwriters and Co-Authors

While Jessica Fletcher's name is always on the cover, a dedicated team of writers has kept her adventures alive over the decades:

  • Donald Bain Era (1989–2017): The late Donald Bain was the original creative force behind the books, writing the first 46 novels. He established the warm, familiar tone of the series, often co-writing with his wife, Renée Paley-Bain, in his later years.
  • Jon Land Era (2018–2020): Acclaimed thriller writer Jon Land took over starting with A Date with Murder, bringing a slightly faster pace and modern touch to Jessica's investigations while keeping the Cabot Cove charm intact.
  • Terrie Farley Moran Era (2021–Present): Terrie Farley Moran stepped in with Killing in a Koi Pond, returning the series to its classic cozy roots with highly atmospheric mysteries.
  • Barbara Early (2025–Present): Cozy author Barbara Early joined the writing team recently, debuting as a co-author on Snowy with a Chance of Murder.

Murder, She Wrote Complete Book List

Here is the list of Murder, She Wrote books in order of publication, starting with the early TV novelizations and continuing through the main series:

  1. The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985) - TV Novelization
  2. Hooray for Homicide (1985) - TV Novelization
  3. Lovers and Other Killers (1986) - TV Novelization
  4. Gin & Daggers (1989) - The main series begins here
  5. Manhattans & Murder (1994)
  6. Rum & Razors (1995)
  7. Brandy and Bullets (1995)
  8. Martinis & Mayhem (1995)
  9. A Deadly Judgment (1996)
  10. A Palette for Murder (1996)
  11. The Highland Fling Murders (1997)
  12. Murder on the QE2 (1997)
  13. Murder in Moscow (1998)
  14. A Little Yuletide Murder (1998)
  15. Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch (1999)
  16. Knock 'em Dead (1999)
  17. Trick or Treachery (2000)
  18. Blood on the Vine (2001)
  19. Murder in a Minor Key (2001)
  20. Provence to Die for (2002)
  21. You Bet Your Life (2002)
  22. Majoring In Murder (2003)
  23. Destination Murder (2003)
  24. Dying to Retire (2004)
  25. A Vote for Murder (2004)
  26. The Maine Mutiny (2005)
  27. Margaritas and Murder (2005)
  28. A Question of Murder (2006)
  29. Three Strikes and You're Dead (2006)
  30. Coffee, Tea, or Murder? (2007)
  31. Panning for Murder (2007)
  32. Murder on Parade (2008)
  33. A Slaying in Savannah (2008)
  34. Madison Avenue Shoot (2009)
  35. A Fatal Feast (2009)
  36. Nashville Noir (2010)
  37. The Queen's Jewels (2010)
  38. Skating on Thin Ice (2011)
  39. The Fine Art of Murder (2011)
  40. Trouble at High Tide (2012)
  41. Domestic Malice (2012)
  42. Prescription for Murder (2013)
  43. Close-up on Murder (2013)
  44. Aloha Betrayed (2014)
  45. Death of a Blue Blood (2014)
  46. Killer in the Kitchen (2015)
  47. The Ghost and Mrs Fletcher (2015)
  48. Design For Murder (2016)
  49. Hook, Line, and Murder (2016)
  50. A Date with Murder (2018)
  51. Manuscript for Murder (2019)
  52. Murder in Red (2019)
  53. A Time for Murder (2019)
  54. The Murder of Twelve (2020)
  55. Murder In Season (2020)
  56. Killing in a Koi Pond (2021)
  57. Debonair in Death (2021)
  58. Killer on the Court (2022)
  59. Death on the Emerald Isle (2023)
  60. Fit for Murder (2024)
  61. Murder Backstage (2024)
  62. A Killer Christmas (2024)
  63. Snowy with a Chance of Murder (2025)
  64. A Body in Boston (2025)
  65. The Body in the Trees (2025)

Continuity Caveats and TV Show Connections

Because the books are written to evoke the comfort of the TV series, they maintain a highly consistent status quo. You will regularly see beloved side characters like Sheriff Mort Metzger, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, and Jessica's publisher friends. However, fans who watch the show closely will notice a few amusing differences. In the very first novel, Gin & Daggers, Jessica Fletcher is described as driving a car—a detail that contradicts the show, where Jessica famously never learns to drive and relies on bicycles, cabs, or rides from friends. This quirk was corrected in later printings and subsequent books to align better with the television series. If you want a smooth, logic-abiding reading journey, simply keep in mind that the books build their own light literary universe that runs parallel to the TV series rather than acting as a strict sequel.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Murder, She Wrote books in order?

No, you do not need to read them in order. Each book is a standalone cozy mystery with a self-contained case. While there is light character progression, you can read them in any order you choose.

QWhat is the best book to start with?

The best starting point is Gin & Daggers (1989), which is the first original novel in the series. If you prefer seasonal mysteries, A Killer Christmas or Snowy with a Chance of Murder are also excellent entry points.

QWho is the actual writer behind the Jessica Fletcher pen name?

The series was primarily created and written by Donald Bain until his passing in 2017. Since then, the books have been authored by Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran, and Barbara Early.

QAre the books adaptations of the television episodes?

Only the first four books published in 1985 and 1986 are direct episode novelizations. The ongoing series starting in 1989 consists entirely of original stories written specifically for the page.

QDoes Jessica Fletcher drive in the books?

In the first edition of Gin & Daggers, Jessica drives a car, which contradicts the television show where she does not drive. Later editions and subsequent novels corrected this to keep her consistent with her on-screen counterpart.