Alan Bradley Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley is a highly serialized cozy mystery saga set in 1950s England. The narrative relies heavily on character development, family secrets, and ongoing plot threads. Because of this, readers should strictly follow the publication order. Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points regarding the de Luce family history and Flavia's own personal growth.

Below is the complete reading path for the Flavia de Luce series, including the key supplemental short story that serves as a bridge midway through the series.

1. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (2009) – The award-winning debut introduces eleven-year-old Flavia, an amateur chemist with a passion for poisons, living at her family's decaying estate, Buckshaw. When a dead man is found in the cucumber patch and her father is accused of murder, Flavia uses her laboratory skills to solve the crime.
2. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (2010) – A traveling puppeteer arrives in the quiet village of Bishop's Lacey, but his show ends in tragedy. Flavia investigates the suspicious death, linking the crime to a historical tragedy buried deep in the local woods.
3. A Red Herring Without Mustard (2011) – Flavia accidentally injures a local Gypsy fortune-teller, who is later found brutally beaten at Buckshaw. The investigation leads Flavia into a complex web of art forgery, missing family heirlooms, and ancient religious sects.
4. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (2011) – To raise much-needed funds to keep Buckshaw afloat, Flavia's father rents the estate out to a film crew during the Christmas holidays. When a fierce snowstorm traps everyone inside and the leading lady is strangled, Flavia must find the killer among the guests.
5. Speaking from Among the Bones (2012) – The opening of the tomb of Saint Tancred in the local church reveals the fresh corpse of the church organist. Flavia braves the dusty crypts to decipher the clues left behind. Note that while some databases record this release in late 2012, its widespread commercial publication occurred in early 2013.
6. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches (2014) – The long-awaited return of Flavia's mother, Harriet, brings the family together at the local railway station. When a mysterious stranger whispers a cryptic message to Flavia right before being pushed under a train, it kicks off an investigation that concludes the first major multi-book story arc.
7. The Curious Case of the Copper Corpse (2014) – This eBook-original short story is officially designated as Book 6.5. It takes place immediately after the dramatic events of the sixth book and serves as a vital bridge before Flavia's departure from Bishop's Lacey. Flavia is asked by the local constable to investigate the death of a copper plate engraver.
8. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (2015) – Flavia is sent across the Atlantic to her late mother's alma mater, Miss Bodycote's Female Academy in Toronto, Canada. Almost immediately upon arrival, she stumbles upon a charred body hidden inside a chimney.
9. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (2016) – Returning to England, Flavia discovers Buckshaw empty and her father seriously ill in the hospital. When she delivers a message to a local woodcarver, she finds him dead, hanging upside down in his own workshop.
10. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (2017) – Seeking a peaceful holiday, Flavia, her sisters, and their loyal family friend Dogger take a boating trip. The tranquility is shattered when Flavia hooks a dead body from the river, revealing a tragic local mystery.
11. The Golden Tresses of the Dead (2019) – Flavia and Dogger officially partner to start their own private detective agency. Their first official case begins at her sister Ophelia's wedding, where a human finger is discovered hidden inside the wedding cake.
12. What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust (2024) – After a five-year publishing hiatus, this final novel returns Flavia to Buckshaw. Joined by a precocious young cousin named Undine, Flavia investigates the poisoning of a local recluse who once worked as a executioner.

Understanding the Story Arcs and Caveats

The Flavia de Luce books are divided into two distinct phases. Books 1 through 6 focus on Flavia's early life at Buckshaw, her antagonistic relationship with her older sisters Ophelia and Daphne, and the overarching mystery surrounding her missing mother, Harriet. This initial arc concludes with a dramatic shift at the end of the sixth novel.

Books 7 through 11 represent the second phase of Flavia's journey. Book 7 takes place in Canada, offering a change of scenery and cast, while Books 8 through 11 return to England as Flavia matures and begins her career as a professional investigator alongside Dogger. Following the author's passing in May 2026, this eleven-novel sequence stands as the complete narrative arc of Flavia's adventures.

Alan Bradley's Non-Fiction and Memoirs

Before finding global success with Flavia de Luce at the age of 69, Alan Bradley wrote non-fiction and memoirs that showcase his dry wit and research capabilities. While completely separate from the mystery series, they offer delightful context for fans of his writing style.

• Ms. Holmes of Baker Street: The Truth About Sherlock (1989) – Co-authored with William A.S. Sarjeant, this scholarly and tongue-in-cheek non-fiction book argues that the famous detective Sherlock Holmes was actually a woman in disguise.
• The Shoebox Bible (2006) – A warm and nostalgic memoir detailing Bradley's childhood in Canada during World War II, focusing on his mother's resilience after his father abandoned the family, and a shoebox of scripture snippets that influenced his early life.
• A Study in Sherlock (2011) – While not a standalone book by Bradley, this anthology edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger features his short story "You'd Better Go In Disguise," which pays homage to the Sherlock Holmes canon.