Books On Board
author Reading Order

Alison Golden Books in Order

27 Books
4 Series & collections
2015 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Alison Golden

For readers new to Alison Golden’s clean, engaging mystery worlds, the best entry point depends entirely on your preferred flavor of sleuthing. If you enjoy lighthearted comedy, cake-loving protagonists, and quaint English villages, start with the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries. If you prefer traditional British police procedurals with a more atmospheric, cerebral tone, the Inspector David Graham Cozy Mysteries is your perfect starting line. For those who crave faster pacing and suspense, her thrillers written under the pen name A.J. Golden offer a thrilling Canadian escape.

The Power of Collaboration

One of the most fascinating aspects of Alison Golden's bibliography is her collaborative writing process. Rather than writing entirely solo, she frequently partners with co-authors to bring different settings and characters to life. She has noted that she and her co-writers outline and draft together, communicating primarily via email. Her key collaborators include:

  • Jamie Vougeot: Co-author for the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series.
  • Grace Dagnall: Co-author for the Inspector David Graham series.
  • Honey Broussard: Co-author for the Roxy Reinhardt series.
  • Gabriella Zinnas: Co-author for the Diana Hunter thrillers (published under the pen name A.J. Golden).

Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries

This series follows a charming, slightly eccentric, and cake-obsessed vicar named Annabelle Dixon. Set in the fictional Cornish village of Upton St. Mary, the books carry a warm, humorous tone reminiscent of The Vicar of Dibley. While the mystery in each book is self-contained and can be read as a standalone, reading them in order is highly recommended to follow Annabelle’s romantic developments and personal growth.

Publication & Chronological Order Details

There is a slight discrepancy in listing order between platforms. While Murder at the Mansion was published first, Death at the Café serves as the chronological introduction (and is often labeled as Book 1 on retail sites). Additionally, the novella Chaos in Cambridge is a prequel that details Annabelle’s time before she arrives in Cornwall. Here is the recommended reading path:

  1. Death at the Café (2015) - Chronological Book 1
  2. Murder at the Mansion (2015) - Chronological Book 2
  3. Body in the Woods (2016)
  4. Grave in the Garage (2016)
  5. Horror in the Highlands (2017)
  6. Killer at the Cult (2019)
  7. Chaos in Cambridge (2020) - Prequel Novella / Newsletter Offering
  8. Fireworks in France (2021)
  9. Witches at the Wedding (2022)

Inspector David Graham Cozy Mysteries

Set on the picturesque Channel Island of Jersey, this series delivers a classic British detective feel. Inspector David Graham is a soulful, quiet detective recovering from a deep personal tragedy. The mysteries are traditional, focusing on puzzle-solving, Island scenery, and team dynamics. Character relationships build significantly across the books, so reading them in order is highly advised.

  1. The Case of the Screaming Beauty (2015)
  2. The Case of the Hidden Flame (2015)
  3. The Case of the Fallen Hero (2016)
  4. The Case of the Broken Doll (2016)
  5. The Case of the Missing Letter (2018)
  6. The Case of the Pretty Lady (2019)
  7. The Case of the Forsaken Child (2020)
  8. The Case of Sampson's Leap (2021)
  9. The Case of the Uncommon Witness (2022)

Roxy Reinhardt Cozy Mysteries

Roxy Reinhardt leaves her old life behind to move to New Orleans with her beloved cat, Nefertiti. This series combines Southern charm, local culture, delicious Cajun food, and lighthearted mystery. Co-authored with Honey Broussard, it is a fun, vibrant series that should be read in order of release:

  1. Mardi Gras Madness (2019)
  2. New Orleans Nightmare (2019)
  3. Louisiana Lies (2020)
  4. Cajun Catastrophe (2023)

Diana Hunter Mystery Series (as A.J. Golden)

Writing under the pseudonym A.J. Golden with co-author Gabriella Zinnas, Alison Golden ventures into the suspense thriller genre. Set in Vancouver, Canada, the series features Diana Hunter and shifts the tone from cozy village humor to fast-paced, high-stakes investigation. Read them in this sequence:

  1. Hunted (2015)
  2. Snatched (2016)
  3. Stolen (2016)
  4. Chopped (2017)
  5. Exposed (2018)
  6. Broken (2024)

What to Know Before You Start

All of Alison Golden's books are written with a "clean" philosophy: they contain no graphic violence, gore, or swearing. This makes them perfect feel-good reads. Although the main series are set in vastly different locations—ranging from the English countryside to the coast of Jersey, the bayous of Louisiana, and the streets of Vancouver—they all share Golden's signature focus on puzzle-solving and human warmth.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Reverend Annabelle Dixon books out of order?

Yes. Each book features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, because Annabelle's personal relationships and career evolve, reading them in order provides a much more satisfying experience.

QWho does Alison Golden write her books with?

Alison Golden is a collaborative writer. She co-writes the Reverend Annabelle Dixon books with Jamie Vougeot, the Inspector David Graham series with Grace Dagnall, the Roxy Reinhardt mysteries with Honey Broussard, and the Diana Hunter thrillers with Gabriella Zinnas.

QAre the Diana Hunter books cozy mysteries?

No. The Diana Hunter books (written under the pen name A.J. Golden) are fast-paced suspense thrillers set in Vancouver. They feature higher stakes and more tension than her traditional cozy series, though they still avoid graphic content.

QIs Death at the Café or Murder at the Mansion the first book?

While Murder at the Mansion was published first, Death at the Café is chronologically the first story in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series and is officially listed as Book 1 on most retail platforms.

QWhere is the Inspector David Graham series set?

The series is set on the island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Normandy, France, providing a distinct, atmospheric coastal British setting.