Alice Duncan Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Alice Duncan

If you are new to Alice Duncan, the absolute best place to start is with the Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery Series. The first novel, Strong Spirits (2003), introduces Daisy Gumm Majesty, a spunky young woman in 1920s Pasadena who supports her family by pretending to be a spiritualist. It sets the tone for Duncan's blend of light-hearted cozy mysteries, historical authenticity, and sharp-witted heroines.

Alternatively, if you prefer a slightly different flavor of the Roaring Twenties, you can start with the Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series, beginning with Lost Among the Angels (2006). This series is set in 1920s Los Angeles and Hollywood, offering a slightly more star-struck but equally entertaining mystery experience.

The 1920s Mystery Crossover Connection

While both the Daisy Gumm Majesty and Mercy Allcutt series can generally be read independently, they share the same universe. A formal crossover occurs in the fifth book of the Mercy Allcutt series, Thanksgiving Angels (2015). In this story, Mercy's mother hosts a séance conducted by none other than Daisy Gumm Majesty herself. To get the maximum enjoyment out of this crossover, readers should ideally be familiar with the first few books of both series before picking up Thanksgiving Angels.

Daisy Gumm Majesty Mystery Series in Order

This is Alice Duncan's signature series, following a fake spiritualist who somehow constantly stumbles into very real investigations in 1920s Pasadena. The books should be read in order of publication to follow the character development and ongoing relationships, particularly between Daisy and Detective Sam Rotondo.

1. Strong Spirits (2003)
2. Fine Spirits (2003)
3. High Spirits (2008)
4. Hungry Spirits (2010)
5. Genteel Spirits (2011)
6. Ancient Spirits (2012)
7. Dark Spirits (2014)
8. Spirits Revived (2014)
9. Spirits Onstage (2015)
10. Unsettled Spirits (2015)
11. Bruised Spirits (2016)
12. Spirits United (2017)
13. Spirits Unearthed (2018)
14. Shaken Spirits (2019)
15. Scarlet Spirits (2019)
16. Exercised Spirits (2020)
17. Wedded Spirits (2022)
18. Domesticated Spirits (2023)
19. Library Spirits (2024)
20. Spirits Adopted (2025)

Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series in Order

Set in Los Angeles and Hollywood, this series features Mercy Allcutt, a young woman who operates a boarding house and has an unfortunate habit of finding trouble—and corpses. Remember to look out for the Daisy Gumm Majesty crossover in book 5.

1. Lost Among the Angels (2006)
2. Angel's Flight (2009)
3. Fallen Angels (2011)
4. Angels of Mercy (2012)
5. Thanksgiving Angels (2015)
6. Angels Adrift (2021)
7. Christmas Angels (2022)
8. Hollywood Angels (2023)
9. Celluloid Angels (2024)
10. Dancing Angels (2025)

Other Historical Romance & Western Series

Before achieving major success with her 1920s cozy mysteries, Alice Duncan was a prolific writer of historical westerns and romance series. These series are typically shorter and can be read in publication order.

The Dream Maker Books

A historical romance series published in 2001, focusing on matchmaking and late-Victorian/early-Edwardian themes.

1. Cowboy For Hire (2001)
2. Beauty and the Brain (2001)
3. Her Leading Man (2001)
4. The Miner's Daughter (2001)

Meet Me at the Fair Books

Set around historical fairs, this romance trilogy captures the whimsical charm of the turn of the century.

1. Coming Up Roses (2002)
2. Just North of Bliss (2002)
3. A Bicycle Built for Two (2002)

Pecos Valley Books

A trilogy set in New Mexico, blending western romance with local history.

1. Pecos Valley Diamond (2005)
2. Pecos Valley Revival (2011)
3. Pecos Valley Rainbow (2012)

Land of Enchantment Books

One of Duncan's earliest historical romance series, capturing the frontier spirit.

1. Enchanted Christmas (1998)
2. A Gentle Magic (1999)
3. A Gambler's Magic (2000)

Understanding Alice Duncan's Pseudonyms

Alice Duncan has written under several pseudonyms throughout her career to distinguish different genres or meet publisher requirements. Knowing these pseudonyms will help you track down her rarer or out-of-print titles:

• Emma Craig: Duncan used this pseudonym (derived from her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for several historical romances, including works in the A Faerie Tale Romance series and standalone titles like Christmas Pie.
• Rachel Wilson: Created from her mother's middle and maiden names, this pen name was used for titles like Sweet Charity and Heaven Sent.
• Anne Robins: Derived from her daughters' names, this name is associated with various historical romance works.
• Jon Sharpe: Duncan wrote two books (Pecos Belle Brigade and California Crusader) under this well-known house pseudonym for the long-running Western adventure series, The Trailsman.

A Faerie Tale Romance Books

This multi-author series features fairytale-themed historical romances. Duncan contributed to the series under both her own name and her Emma Craig pseudonym.

• The Princess & The Pea (1996)
• Someone's Been Sleeping In My Bed (1996)
• The Emperor's New Clothes (1997)
• Big Bad Wolf (1997)
• Jackie & The Giant (1997)
• One Day, My Prince (1997)
• Cinderfella (1998)
• Cooking Up Trouble (As: Emma Craig) (2000)
• Let Down Your Hair (2001)
• De Buty & The Beast (2002)

It's a Dog's Life Books

A fun, lighthearted romance series where canine companions play a central role in matchmaking.

1. Man's Best Friend (1997)
2. Molly in the Middle (1997)
3. Rosamunda's Revenge (As: Emma Craig) (1997)
4. Stray Hearts (1997)
5. Kept by a Countess (1997)
6. Play It Again, Sam (1998)
7. Lonely Hearts (1998)

Haunting Hearts Books

A paranormal romance collection featuring ghosts, spirits, and historical love stories.

1. Shadows in the Flame (1997)
2. Earth Angel (1997)
3. Restless Spirits (1998)
4. Heaven's Promise (1998)
5. Snow in Summer (1999)
6. Bittersweet Summer (1999)
7. Spirit of Love (1999)
8. In the Midnight Hour (2009)
9. Ghost of Summer (2012)
10. Spirit Catcher (2018)

Irish Eyes Books

Duncan's contributions to this multi-author historical romance series celebrating Irish heritage and love stories.

1. To Marry an Irish Rogue (2000)
2. Daughter of Ireland (2000)
3. Midsummer Lightning (2000)
4. Irish Moonlight (2000)
5. My Wild Irish Rose (2000)
6. The Irish Bride (2001)
7. The Black Swan (2001)
8. The Highwayman (2001)
9. Rose in the Mist (2002)
10. Mulligan Stew (2002)
11. Irish Gypsy (2002)
12. Ballyrourke (2002)
13. Maid of Killarney (2002)
14. Mulligan Magic (2003)

Standalone Novels

If you want a quick, self-contained story without committing to a full series, Alice Duncan has penned several standalones across her writing career, writing both under her real name and her various pen names.

• One Bright Morning (1995)
• Texas Lonesome (1996)
• Christmas Pie (As: Emma Craig) (1997)
• Wild Dream (1997)
• Sweet Charity (As: Rachel Wilson) (1997)
• Secret Hearts (1998)
• Gabriel's Fate (As: Emma Craig) (2001)
• Heaven Sent (As: Rachel Wilson) (2001)
• Phoebe's Valentine (2003)
• Sierra Ransom (2003)
• Cactus Flower (2006)