The Recommended Reading Order for Wrexford & Sloane
To fully appreciate the evolution of characters, the slow-burn romantic tension, and the growing complexity of their found family, you should read the Wrexford & Sloane series in order of publication. Andrea Penrose has structured the timeline linearly, meaning each mystery builds upon the fallout of the previous case, and the domestic relationships of the characters deepen with every book.
Wrexford & Sloane Books in Chronological and Publication Order
- Murder on Black Swan Lane (2017) – The series opener introduces the brilliant, science-minded Earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane, an independent artist secretly publishing satirical cartoons as A.J. Quill. They are thrown together when Wrexford is suspected of murder.
- Murder at Half Moon Gate (2018) – The duo reunites to investigate the death of a brilliant inventor, steering through stolen steam engine designs and high-stakes industrial espionage.
- Murder at Kensington Palace (2019) – A murder involving early electrical experiments draws Charlotte and Wrexford back into the fray, while Charlotte's mysterious past begins to catch up with her.
- Murder at Queen's Landing (2020) – When a shipping clerk is killed, our protagonists dive into mathematical equations, shipping ledger secrets, and corruption within the East India Company.
- Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (2021) – The poisoning of a prominent botanist leads Wrexford and Charlotte to investigate dangerous exotic plants and competitive scientific discoveries.
- Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (2022) – Focuses on early military engineering breakthroughs, testing Wrexford's logical deductions against a backdrop of national security threats.
- Murder at the Merton Library (2023) – A rare manuscript is stolen and a scholar is murdered, forcing the duo to untangle academic rivalries and dark family histories.
- Murder at King's Crossing (2024) – A thrilling mystery that tests the team's resilience as they navigate political schemes and dangerous secrets.
- Murder at Somerset House (2025) – Set against the backdrop of Regency London's artistic and bureaucratic hub, the team investigates a murder linked to hidden architectural secrets and high-level treason.
- Murder on Threadneedle Street (2026) – The tenth installment delves into the financial heart of the empire, where banking secrets and deadly greed collide.
What to Know Before You Start
Unlike many historical mysteries that focus strictly on standard aristocratic drawing-room gossip, Andrea Penrose weaves the dawning of the Industrial Revolution and early scientific progress into the very fabric of her plots. The Regency era was a time of immense transition, where steam engines, electricity, botany, and mathematics were beginning to redefine society. The Earl of Wrexford represents this new age: he is an active scientist who relies on chemistry and logic rather than traditional peerage privilege.
On the other side of the partnership is Charlotte Sloane. Writing under the male pseudonym A.J. Quill, she uses her artistic skills to sketch satirical cartoons that expose the hypocrisy of the elite. This clever duality gives the series a sharp feminist edge, as Charlotte must navigate a highly restrictive society while secretly wielding enormous social influence.
A key highlight of the series is its delightful supporting cast. What begins as a temporary alliance of convenience quickly morphs into an endearing found family. This includes Raven and Hawk, two clever, street-smart young boys whom Charlotte takes under her wing, and Dr. John Henning, Wrexford's loyal friend and medical companion who brings early forensic expertise to the cases.
Are There Any Spin-offs, Novellas, or Crossovers?
Currently, the Wrexford & Sloane series consists solely of the main-sequence, full-length novels. There are no tie-in novellas or short stories that you need to seek out, making it straightforward to stay on track. Andrea Penrose writes other historical mysteries and romance novels under different names, but they exist in separate universes:
- Lady Arianna Hadley Series: Written under her main name, Andrea Penrose, this separate historical mystery series follows Lady Arianna Hadley, beginning with Sweet Revenge (2011). It features different characters and timelines, though it shares the same rich historical detail.
- Romance Novels: Under the pseudonyms Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens, the author has written several Regency-era historical romance series. While romance fans will enjoy the tone, these books do not cross over with the Wrexford & Sloane mysteries.
Practical Reading Advice for Fans
Because of the prominent found-family subplots and the emotional growth between Charlotte and Wrexford, we strongly recommend against reading these books out of order. Reading a later book first will spoil the slow-burn romantic progression and the major life updates of the side characters. Start at the very beginning with Murder on Black Swan Lane and enjoy the ride as their partnership evolves from mutual suspicion to a deeply trusted alliance.