The Recommended Reading Order for Rarities Unlimited
To get the most out of Elizabeth Lowell's masterfully woven world of romantic suspense, the best way to read the series is in its original publication order. Since the chronological order of the stories matches the order in which they were published, following this list ensures you experience the recurring world of the appraisal house and character references exactly as the author intended.
- Moving Target (2001)
The series launches with a high-octane mystery centering on Serena Charters. Following the suspicious death of her grandmother, Serena inherits four beautifully illuminated medieval pages of an ancient manuscript known as The Book of the Learned, alongside a warning to trust no man. Seeking answers, she recruits Erik North, a reclusive and brilliant manuscript appraiser at Rarities Unlimited. Together, they are thrust into a deadly chase across Southern California and the Mojave Desert as a ruthless assassin tries to claim the rest of the manuscript. This book serves as an excellent introduction to the core themes of the series—antique appraisal, historical secrets, and intense romance under pressure.
- Running Scared (2002)
Set against the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas, the second book focuses on Risa Sheridan, an expert appraiser in gold and ancient antiquities. She works for Shane Tannahill, a casino mogul who owns a gold-themed establishment called "The Golden Fleece." When Shane is offered a rare Celtic gold artifact—rumored to have been looted during World War II—Risa's intuition warns her of danger. Shane ignores the warnings, dragging them both into a deadly web of greed, Druidic curses, and modern conspiracies. The romantic tension between Risa and Shane heats up as they fight to stay alive in the Nevada desert.
- Die in Plain Sight (2003)
The third installment brings art buyer and landscape painter Lacey Quinn into the spotlight. Lacey inherits a breathtaking collection of California Impressionist paintings from her late grandfather, only to discover that the canvases hide dark, historic secrets and a hidden cry for help. To protect herself from a violent adversary determined to destroy the art and her family's legacy, Lacey turns to security specialist Ian Lapstrake (sometimes printed as Ian Reed in alternative editions). Ian acts as her protector and shadow as they unravel a long-buried conspiracy of forgery, greed, and murder.
- The Color of Death (2004)
The fourth and final novel centers on Kate Chandler, a talented gem cutter tasked with cutting seven rare, priceless star sapphires. When the gems vanish and her half-brother disappears, Kate is suspected by federal agents of orchestrating the heist. Forced to go on the run, she teams up with FBI Special Agent Sam Groves to uncover a dangerous international conspiracy and find her brother before it is too late. While the appraisal house itself takes a minor back seat in this entry, the high-stakes evaluation of precious gems and the shared universe tie it firmly to the rest of the series.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Before diving into the high-stakes world of Rarities Unlimited, there are a few key details that can enrich your reading experience:
- Standalone Mysteries: Although the books share a common backdrop (the Rarities Unlimited appraisal house) and exist in the same fictional universe, each novel features a self-contained mystery and a romance that resolves completely by the end. You do not need to worry about cliffhangers.
- The Donovan Series Connection: Rarities Unlimited is set in the same universe as Elizabeth Lowell's famous Donovan Series. If you want to spot all the Easter eggs and enjoy the cameos of characters who deal in high-end gem trading, you might want to read the Donovan books first, though it is not strictly necessary.
- Atmosphere and Tone: Elizabeth Lowell is renowned for incorporating deep, meticulous research into her romantic suspense. You will learn a great deal about manuscript authentication, Celtic gold, California Impressionist art, and the art of gem cutting while enjoying the fast-paced action.
The Interconnected Universe of Elizabeth Lowell
For readers who want to experience the complete saga of Elizabeth Lowell’s contemporary romantic suspense, the books belong to a larger web of interconnected series. To get the full picture, here is how the primary series connect:
The Donovan Series (The Predecessors)
The Donovan family dominates the international gem-trading market and their adventures lay the groundwork for the themes seen in Rarities Unlimited. Reading them first provides extra context for the cameo appearances in the Rarities series. The order is:
- Amber Beach (1997)
- Jade Island (1998)
- Pearl Cove (1999)
- Midnight in Ruby Bayou (2000)
St. Kilda Consulting (The Successor)
Following the conclusion of Rarities Unlimited, Lowell launched the St. Kilda Consulting series. This series moves deeper into the spy genre, focusing on a Manhattan-based private firm operating in the shadow world of international intelligence and security. While more action-focused, it shares the same sharp plotting and romantic suspense elements:
- Always Time to Die (2005)
- The Wrong Hostage (2006)
- Innocent as Sin (2007)
- Blue Smoke and Murder (2008)
- Death Echo (2010)
Key Themes and Practical Reader Advice
Elizabeth Lowell’s writing stands out because of its unique blend of intellectual curiosity and emotional depth. When reading Rarities Unlimited, you will notice several recurring themes that define the series:
- The Allure of the Rare: Each novel centers on an object of incredible value and historical significance. Whether it is a medieval manuscript containing lost knowledge, ancient Celtic gold, long-lost Impressionist art, or priceless sapphires, the history of the object is woven directly into the plot, acting as a catalyst for both the mystery and the romance.
- Trust vs. Suspense: The romantic dynamics in these books are built on trust. Often, the main characters start in positions of suspicion or professional detachment, only to realize that their survival depends on trusting one another completely in the face of external danger.
- Expert Protagonists: Lowell avoids damsels in distress. The heroines are highly skilled professionals in their fields—appraisers, artists, and gem cutters—who bring critical expertise to solving the mysteries alongside their protective male counterparts.
Practical Advice: If you are short on time and want to sample the best of the series, Running Scared is widely considered by fans to be a high point due to its vibrant Las Vegas setting and the chemistry between Risa and Shane. However, starting with Moving Target is still highly recommended to understand the founding premise of Rarities Unlimited.