Where to Start with Alexia Gordon’s Books
If you are new to the mystery worlds crafted by Alexia Gordon, the absolute best place to start is with her debut novel, Murder in G Major. While each mystery presents a self-contained puzzle that is fully resolved by the final chapter, the overarching story, character relationships, and personal development of the protagonist progress continuously from book to book.
Starting with the first book ensures you get the full introduction to Gethsemane Brown—an African American classical violinist and conductor stranded in Ireland—and her unexpected, snarky paranormal roommate, the ghost of composer Eamon McCarthy. Reading out of order will spoil major character arcs, especially the evolving dynamic between Gethsemane, Eamon, and the locals of the fictional Irish village of Dunmull.
Gethsemane Brown Mysteries in Reading Order
The core of Alexia Gordon’s bibliography is the Gethsemane Brown series. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. Here is the recommended path for reading the novels:
1. Murder in G Major (2016)
Gethsemane Brown is stranded in the Irish countryside after a musical tour goes disastrously wrong. Desperate for a place to stay, she accepts a job teaching music at a local boys' boarding school and moves into a cliffside cottage. The catch? The cottage is haunted by the ghost of Eamon McCarthy, a famous Irish composer rumored to have killed his wife and himself. Gethsemane agrees to clear Eamon's name to secure some peace and quiet, plunging into a decades-old cold case.
2. Death in D Minor (2017)
Just as Gethsemane begins settling into her new life, Eamon goes missing from the cottage. While searching for her spectral companion, Gethsemane's brother-in-law arrives in Ireland and quickly becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a local art appraiser. Gethsemane must find Eamon and solve the murder before her family member is wrongfully convicted.
3. Killing in C Sharp (2018)
Gethsemane is hired to conduct the opening performance at a newly renovated historic opera house. However, the venue is plagued by a malevolent entity that seems determined to halt the production. When a real-world murder occurs on site, Gethsemane must navigate theatrical superstitions, a vengeful spirit, and a very human killer before the curtain falls for good.
4. Fatality in F (2019)
Dunmull is preparing for its annual garden festival, and Gethsemane finds herself dealing with an unwanted secret admirer who sends her escalating, creepy gifts. The situation turns deadly when a body is discovered in a prized rose garden. To clear a friend's name, Gethsemane must dig up the village's buried secrets before the killer strikes again.
5. Execution in E (2020)
Gethsemane travels to a luxurious castle hotel for the wedding of a wealthy, demanding friend. The celebration turns into a nightmare when a storm cuts the castle off from the outside world and guests begin turning up dead. Trapped with a killer, Gethsemane must use all her deductive skills to survive the weekend.
What to Know Before You Start
Alexia Gordon's mysteries fall squarely into the cozy mystery subgenre, but they bring several fresh elements that set them apart from standard tropes:
- The Musical Backdrop: As a classically trained musician, Gethsemane's profession is central to the plots. Every book title corresponds to a musical key signature, reflecting the tone and themes of the novel. Classical music, conducting, and music theory are woven organically into the puzzles.
- The Paranormal Element: The relationship between Gethsemane and the ghost Eamon McCarthy is a core pillar of the series. Eamon cannot leave the cottage easily, meaning Gethsemane acts as the eyes and ears in the physical world, creating a unique sleuthing partnership.
- Irish Setting and Lore: The series is set in Ireland, blending local Irish folklore, small-town village dynamics, and atmospheric settings like rugged cliffs, castles, and historic theaters.
- Diverse Representation: As an #ownvoices author, Gordon provides a nuanced, authentic portrayal of an African American woman living abroad in rural Ireland, navigating cultural adjustments alongside supernatural ones.
Alexia Gordon's Short Fiction & Anthologies
In addition to her novels, Alexia Gordon has written several short stories for mystery anthologies. These do not feature Gethsemane Brown and can be read independently at any time:
- "Saint Nicholas" in Writers Crushing COVID-19 (2020): A charitable anthology project compiled during the pandemic to support independent bookstores, featuring Gordon's short story "Saint Nicholas."
- "Love’s Labor" in This Time for Sure: Bouchercon Anthology (2021): Written during Gordon's time at the U.S. Naval War College, this story explores second chances and features a podcast episode that takes a dark, unexpected turn.
- "Happy Birthday" in Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Diabolical (2022): A short piece contributed to the 16th volume of the celebrated Malice Domestic anthology series, focused on diabolical crimes.