Where to Start with Ali Brandon's Books
For most readers, the best entry point into Ali Brandon's bibliography is the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series, starting with the debut novel, Double Booked for Death. Writing under the Ali Brandon pen name, author Diane A.S. Stuckart crafted a classic contemporary cozy mystery setup: an inherited bookstore, a quirky community, a string of suspicious deaths, and an intelligent feline companion who seems to understand the clues better than the humans. Reading this series in order is highly recommended to appreciate the developing relationships between the protagonist, Darla Pettistone, and her inherited cat, Hamlet, as well as the recurring town characters.
If you prefer historical mysteries over modern cozies, you should begin with the Leonardo da Vinci Mystery series, written under the author's real name, Diane A.S. Stuckart. Set in the vibrant court of 15th-century Milan, this series introduces a clever apprentice disguised as a boy who helps the legendary polymath solve intricate crimes.
Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series Publication Order
This series follows Darla Pettistone, who inherits her great-aunt's Brooklyn bookstore—along with a large, sassy black cat named Hamlet. The books must be read in publication order, as the overarching character arcs and relationships evolve chronologically across the novels.
- Double Booked for Death (2011) – Darla takes over Pettistone's Fine Books and finds herself investigating a murder when a prominent book collector is killed on the premises, with Hamlet pointing out crucial clues.
- A Novel Way to Die (2012) – When a local Brooklyn bakery owner is murdered, Darla and Hamlet team up again to clear the name of a bookstore employee.
- Words with Fiends (2013) – A rare book dealer is found dead, and Darla must sift through Brooklyn's literary underworld to find the culprit.
- Literally Murder (2014) – During a bookstore-hosted writers' conference, a high-profile editor is killed, turning the attendees into prime suspects.
- Plot Boiler (2015) – Darla gets involved in local activism, but a murder at a historic site drags her and Hamlet back into the sleuthing business.
- Twice Told Tail (2016) – The sixth installment sees Darla and Hamlet investigating a case involving a historical diary and a murder close to home.
Leonardo da Vinci Mystery Series (Written as Diane A.S. Stuckart)
Writing under her real name, the author took readers back to the Italian Renaissance. The series features Leonardo da Vinci and his young apprentice, Dino—who is actually a young woman named Delfina in disguise. This series combines historical detail with classic whodunit plotting.
- The Queen's Gambit (2008) – A courtier is murdered over a live chess game, and Leonardo is tasked by the Duke of Milan to solve the crime.
- Portrait of a Lady (2009) – When a beautiful lady's portrait is defaced and her maid is found murdered, Leonardo and Dino investigate.
- A Bolt from the Blue (2009) – The death of a courtier during a public demonstration of a flying machine leads Leonardo into a web of political intrigue.
Georgia B&B Mystery Series (Written as Anna Gerard)
Under the pseudonym Anna Gerard, Stuckart wrote another delightful cozy mystery series set in a charming Southern bed-and-breakfast, following the struggles of proprietor Nina Plum.
- Peach Clobbered (2019) – Nina Plum tries to save her historic Georgia B&B while dealing with a dead body in the parlor.
- Peachy Scream (2020) – A mystery writers' convention at the B&B turns deadly when a real murder mirrors a fictional plot.
- Peaches and Schemes (2021) – Nina must clear her name when a wedding planner is murdered at the inn.
Tarot Cats Mystery Series and Standalones
Stuckart launched the Tarot Cats Mystery series under her own name, blending her love for felines with elements of the supernatural. The series centers on Ruby Sparks, the manager of a New Age shop in Florida, and her two tarot-reading black cats, Brandon and Ophelia. The debut novel, Fool's Moon (2018), remains the primary entry in this series.
Additionally, the author penned the standalone historical romance Desert Hearts (1999), and several historical romance novels under the pen name Alexa Smart, including Masquerade (1994), Shadows of the Heart (1995), and A Touch of Paradise (1996).
What to Know Before You Start
Readers should keep in mind that whether writing as Ali Brandon, Anna Gerard, or Diane A.S. Stuckart, the author maintained a signature style: warm humor, lighthearted plotting, and a deep affection for animals. The Black Cat Bookshop and Georgia B&B series are classic cozy mysteries with minimal violence, focusing instead on puzzle-solving and community dynamics. The Leonardo da Vinci mysteries are slightly more historical and intricate but retain the accessible, engaging tone that fans love.