Penny Brannigan Mystery Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Penny Brannigan Mystery series in publication order. While each novel presents a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final page, the personal lives of the characters, the growth of Penny's local business, and her ongoing relationship with Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies progress chronologically from one book to the next.

Beginning with the debut novel allows you to witness Penny's transition from a quiet Canadian expatriate running a small manicure shop to an integral member of the Llanelen community who eventually operates a full-service salon and day spa.

Penny Brannigan Mystery Books in Publication Order

Below is the complete list of the Penny Brannigan Mystery novels in their chronological order of publication. The series spans eleven books published between 2009 and 2020:

1. The Cold Light of Mourning (2009): The debut mystery introduces Penny Brannigan, a Canadian manicurist living in Llanelen. When a bride-to-be disappears right before her wedding and is later found dead, Penny is drawn into the investigation as one of the last people to see her alive. This book won the Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition.
2. A Brush with Death (2010): Penny inherits a charming cottage from a deceased client. While cleaning it out, she discovers hidden letters and a valuable painting that hint at a decades-old art theft and a long-forgotten murder.
3. A Killer's Christmas in Wales (2011): Set during the festive season in Llanelen, this holiday mystery finds Penny helping her friend Victoria prepare for Christmas. The festive atmosphere is shattered when a body is discovered at a local business, forcing Penny to track down a murderer before the holidays are ruined.
4. A Small Hill to Die On (2012): Penny investigates a complex case involving a local teenager's suspicious death, which appears to be connected to a local family's shady business dealings. This installment won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award in 2013 for best Canadian light mystery.
5. Never Laugh As a Hearse Goes By (2013): When a prominent local citizen is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Penny and DCI Gareth Davies find themselves working from different angles to uncover secrets hidden within Llanelen's tight-knit community.
6. Slated for Death (2015): Set against the rich backdrop of North Wales' slate-mining history, Penny investigates a murder at a local slate mine museum, blending local heritage with modern-day suspense.
7. Murder on the Hour (2016): This clock-themed mystery follows Penny as she unravels a web of lies surrounding a murder that occurs precisely on the hour. The book won the Bony Blithe Award in 2017.
8. Murder Is for Keeps (2017): A cozy whodunit that tests Penny's deductive skills when a historical reenactment or local tradition turns deadly, forcing her to look into Llanelen's past to solve a present-day crime.
9. The Marmalade Murders (2018): Llanelen's annual food festival and marmalade-making competition become the backdrop for murder when a participant is found dead. Penny must sift through competitive rivalries and hidden grudges to find the culprit.
10. Remembering the Dead (2019): Penny is confronted with a cold case that resurfaces when new evidence is brought to light, forcing her to confront long-buried local secrets that some residents would prefer remain forgotten.
11. On Deadly Tides (2020): The eleventh book takes Penny away from Llanelen to the scenic Isle of Anglesey. What was meant to be a relaxing painting holiday quickly turns dangerous when she discovers a body on the shore and must navigate coastal secrets to solve the crime.

What to Know Before You Start

The Penny Brannigan series is celebrated for its rich, atmospheric depiction of North Wales. Elizabeth J. Duncan, a Canadian journalist and professor, drew direct inspiration from her annual travels to the region. The fictional town of Llanelen is heavily based on the real market towns and villages nestled in the Welsh valleys, complete with stone cottages, historic slate mines, castles, and rolling green hills.

Key elements that define the series include:

• Penny Brannigan: A down-to-earth, middle-aged protagonist whose sharp eye for detail, honed through years of doing manicures, makes her an excellent amateur sleuth.
• Victoria Hopkirk: Penny's close friend and a local harpist, who frequently provides comedic relief, local gossip, and moral support during investigations.
• DCI Gareth Davies: The local Detective Chief Inspector who serves as both the professional investigator on the cases and Penny's primary romantic interest.
• Welsh Culture: The books are steeped in authentic Welsh traditions, local food festivals, agricultural shows, and regional history, giving the series a unique flavor compared to typical cozy mysteries.

Spin-offs and Other Series by Elizabeth J. Duncan

Readers looking for more books by the author should note that Elizabeth J. Duncan also writes the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series. This is a separate series featuring protagonist Charlotte Fairfax, a costume designer, and is set in a theater environment in upstate New York. While it shares Duncan's signature light mystery style, it does not crossover with the Penny Brannigan universe, and the two series should be read independently.