Abigail Keam Books in Order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

Abigail Keam is a highly versatile author, meaning the best place to start depends entirely on your preferred genre:

• If you love cozy mysteries: Start with Death by a HoneyBee, the first book in the long-running Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series. This series represents Keam's most famous and extensive work.
• If you prefer historical mysteries: Begin with Murder Under a Blue Moon, which kicks off the 1930s-set Mona Moon Mystery Series.
• If you want sweet, inspirational romance: Start with Last Chance Motel, the opening volume of the Last Chance Romance Series.
• If you are in the mood for epic fantasy: Read Wall of Doom, the beginning of the Saga of the de Magela Family (Princess Maura Tales).

Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series

This modern cozy mystery series features Josiah Reynolds, a former art history professor turned beekeeper in Kentucky's Bluegrass region. Driven by her sharp wit, independent spirit, and beekeeping expertise, Josiah stumbles into solving complex crimes. It is highly recommended to read this series in publication order to appreciate the character development, the evolving relationships, and Josiah's ongoing personal journey.

The Josiah Reynolds books in publication order are:

1. Death by a HoneyBee (2010)
2. Death by Drowning (2011)
3. Death by Bridle (2012)
4. Death by Bourbon (2012)
5. Death by Lotto (2013)
6. Death by Chocolate (2013)
7. Death by Haunting (2014)
8. Death by Derby (2015)
9. Death by Design (2016)
10. Death by Malice (2017)
11. Death by Drama (2018)
12. Death by Stalking (2019)
13. Death by Deceit (2019)
14. Death by Magic (2020)
15. Death by Shock (2021)
16. Death By Chance (2021)
17. Death By Poison (2022)
18. Death By Greed (2023)
19. Death By Theft (2023)
20. Death By Betrayal (2024)
21. Death By Trauma (2025)
22. Death By Mistake (2025)
23. Death By Mail (Scheduled for 2026)

The Asa Reynolds Spin-off Stories

Josiah's daughter, Asa Reynolds—a retired Secret Service agent tracking stolen art—gets her own spotlight in a series of short story spin-offs. These stories can be read alongside the main Josiah Reynolds series, ideally after Book 18 or 19, to dive deeper into the family's dynamic:

• Asa Is Back! (2023)
• Asa Is Mad! (2024)

Mona Moon Mystery Series

Set during the Great Depression in the 1930s, this historical mystery series follows Mona Moon, a clever cartographer who unexpectedly inherits a fortune and a Kentucky horse farm. High-society scandals, historical figures, and rich period details make this series a favorite for fans of historical sleuths. These books should also be read in publication order:

1. Murder Under a Blue Moon (2019)
2. Murder Under a Blood Moon (2019)
3. Murder Under a Bad Moon (2019)
4. Murder Under a Silver Moon (2020)
5. Murder Under a Wolf Moon (2020)
6. Murder Under a Black Moon (2020)
7. Murder Under a Full Moon (2021)
8. Murder Under a New Moon (2021)
9. Murder Under a British Moon (2022)
10. Murder Under a Bridal Moon (2022)
11. Murder Under a Western Moon (2023)
12. Murder Under a Honey Moon (2024)
13. Murder Under a Cold Moon (2024)
14. Murder Under a Mystic Moon (2025)
15. Murder Under a Bitter Moon (2026)
16. Murder Under a Dark Moon (Scheduled for 2027)

Last Chance Romance Series

If you are looking for heartwarming, inspirational romance, Keam's Last Chance Romance (also known as Last Chance for Love) series is set at a cozy motel in Key Largo, Florida. Each book features different guests looking for redemption and second chances at love, but they are best read in order to experience the recurring setting and minor character threads:

1. Last Chance Motel (2014)
2. Gasping For Air (2015)
3. The Siren's Call (2015)
4. Hard Landing (2016)
5. The Mermaid's Carol (2016)

Saga of the de Magela Family (Princess Maura Tales)

This series showcases Abigail Keam's talent for epic fantasy. The story follows Princess Maura as she transforms from a sheltered young royal into a fierce warrior fighting to defend her homeland against the Bhuttanian Empire. The reading order is straightforward:

1. Wall of Doom (2013)
2. Wall of Peril (2013)
3. Wall of Glory (2013)
4. Wall of Conquest (2014)
5. Wall of Victory (2018)

Standalones and Short Stories

Keam has also published unique short stories, such as Bobby Bobo Got Baptized At The Big Bone Baptist Church (2015). This standalone piece is a comedic and heartfelt tale set in 1959 about a country singer's baptism, which Keam originally drafted as a child in the second grade and expanded as an adult. It can be read entirely on its own at any time.

What to Know Before You Start

Abigail Keam's background as an award-winning master beekeeper in Kentucky heavily influences the Josiah Reynolds series, providing fascinating real-world details about hive management and local ecology. While the mystery plots in both of her major mystery series are self-contained in each novel, the relationship dynamics, family secrets, and character arcs carry over significantly. Therefore, reading the series out of order might spoil previous character developments. Stick to publication order for the best reading experience.