How to Read the Will Rees Mysteries in Order
For readers diving into Eleanor Kuhns’ acclaimed historical mystery series, the best path forward is straightforward. The series follows a linear chronological timeline that matches its publication order. Reading the books sequentially is highly recommended, as the overarching narrative tracks the slow, rewarding growth of Will Rees's family life, his relationships, and his changing status in a young, developing America.
Here is the complete list of the Will Rees Mysteries in their recommended reading order:
- A Simple Murder (2012)
- Death of a Dyer (2013)
- Cradle to Grave (2014)
- Death in Salem (2015)
- The Devil's Cold Dish (2016)
- The Shaker Murders (2017)
- Simply Dead (2018)
- A Circle of Dead Girls (2019)
- Death in the Great Dismal (2020)
- Murder on Principle (2021)
- Murder, Sweet Murder (2022)
- The Long Shadow of Murder (2025)
What to Know Before You Start
The series begins in 1795, a period when the United States was a young nation still finding its footing. Will Rees is a Revolutionary War veteran who, following the death of his wife, abandoned his farm and his son to live the solitary life of a traveling weaver. This trade gives him the perfect excuse to travel from town to town, observing local customs and, inevitably, finding himself in the middle of suspicious deaths.
A defining feature of the series is its focus on the Shakers (the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing). In the debut novel, A Simple Murder, Will's search for his runaway son leads him to a Shaker community, where he meets Lydia Cole, a Shaker woman who eventually leaves the community and becomes his wife. The tension between the strict communal life of the Shakers and the rugged individualism of the early American frontier is a recurring theme that adds depth to the cozy whodunit structure.
Understanding the Chronological Progression and Character Arcs
While each book presents a standalone murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the character development is highly serialized. Will begins the series as a grieving, emotionally distant father who has neglected his son, David. Over the course of the novels, he is forced to confront his failures, reconcile with his family, and build a new life with Lydia.By the time of the later entries, such as Death in the Great Dismal and The Long Shadow of Murder, Will and Lydia's household has expanded to include several children and ward relationships, completely transforming Will from a lonely wanderer into a devoted family man. Reading the books out of order will spoil these significant personal milestones and make his emotional journey feel disjointed.
The Settings and Historical Themes
Eleanor Kuhns uses her background as a librarian to weave rich, authentic details of early American life into every story. Readers will experience the reality of late 18th-century industries, from the toxic processes of a dyer's workshop in Death of a Dyer to the bustling, competitive shipping trades of Salem in Death in Salem. The series also tackles historical social issues with nuance, highlighting the horror of slavery and the underground networks of the era in Death in the Great Dismal and Murder on Principle.