Alexandra Benedict Books in Order

How to Start Reading Alexandra Benedict's Books

Before you dive in, there is one crucial detail every reader must know: there are actually two distinct authors writing under the name Alexandra Benedict. Because many database sites mix their catalogs together, readers often get confused. The two authors are:

• The British Mystery & Speculative Author (A.K. Benedict / Alexandra Benedict): Famous for her interactive, puzzle-filled festive mysteries (like The Christmas Murder Game) and supernatural crime thrillers (like The Beauty of Murder).
• The American Historical Romance Author (Alexandra Benedict): Known for her steamy, adventurous Regency romance series involving rogues, pirates, and noblemen (like the Hawkins Brothers and Westmore Brothers series), who retired from writing romance in 2022.

If you want modern, twisty, and festive mysteries, start with the standalone novel The Christmas Murder Game (2021). If you prefer historical romance with dashing heroes and high seas adventure, the best starting point is Too Great a Temptation (2006), which kicks off the Westmore Brothers series.

The Festive Mystery & Crime Books (British Author)

Writing as Alexandra Benedict and A.K. Benedict, this author excels at blending Golden Age crime tropes with modern, high-concept, or supernatural twists. These books contain hidden puzzles, anagrams, and literary Easter eggs for the reader to solve.

Festive & Puzzle Standalones

While some characters or themes overlap, these seasonal books are designed to be enjoyed as standalones, prioritizing atmosphere, locked-room tension, and interactive sleuthing.

• The Christmas Murder Game (2021) – A snowbound estate, a deadly family game over the twelve days of Christmas, and riddles to solve.
• Murder on the Christmas Express (2022) – A locked-room mystery paying homage to classic railway mysteries, set on a sleeper train stuck in the snow.
• The Christmas Jigsaw Murders (2023) – Features puzzle setter Edie O'Sullivan, who receives a challenge in the form of a cryptic jigsaw puzzle predicting murders.

Supernatural & Speculative Thrillers (as A.K. Benedict)

If you prefer gritty crime with a paranormal twist, these novels are excellent entry points:

• The Beauty of Murder (2013) – A time-traveling serial killer thriller set in Cambridge.
• The Evidence of Ghosts (2015) – Also known as Jonathan Dark or The Evidence of Ghosts, a London-set supernatural crime thriller.

Historical Romance Series (American Author)

This Alexandra Benedict wrote sweeping, sensuous Regency-era historical romance novels, organizing them into interconnected family and thematic series.

The Westmore Brothers Series

This series follows the lives and loves of the Westmore brothers, starting with a tale of pirate revenge.

1. Too Great a Temptation (2006)
2. Too Dangerous to Desire (2020)
3. Surrender to Seduction (2021)

The Hawkins Brothers Series

A high-seas and Regency society crossover series featuring pirate captains, independent women, and family secrets.

1. The Infamous Rogue (2009)
2. The Notorious Scoundrel (2010)
3. Mistress of Paradise (2012)
4. How to Steal a Pirate's Heart (2017)
5. How to Seduce a Pirate (2020)

Castles in the Sky Series

A historical romance series centering on emotional struggles, class differences, and romantic devotion.

1. Ashes (2018)
2. Her Lord Cinder (2018)
3. The Wolfe's Bride (2020)
4. Braided Hearts (2020)
5. The Highland Rose (2021)

Other Romance Series & Standalones

• The Princess and the Pauper (2015) – Part of the Fallen Ladies Society series.
• Once Upon a Dream: Volume I (2022) – Part of the Once Upon a Dream collection.
• A Forbidden Love (2005) – Standalone.
• Too Scandalous to Wed (2007) – Standalone.
• The Secret Nobleman (2022) – Standalone.