Where to Start with Alyn Troy’s Shared Universe
If you are looking for the perfect entry point into Alyn Troy's cozy, magic-infused mysteries, the absolute best place to start is with Lattes and Spirits, the first book in the Mystic Brews series. This book serves as your introduction to the broader shared universe, setting up the blend of small-town whimsy, supernatural elements, and lighthearted mystery that characterizes Troy’s writing.
While each of his core series—Mystic Brews, Pixie Twist Mysteries, and Eerie Falls Mysteries—focuses on a different protagonist and setting, they all exist within the same interconnected universe. Reading them in publication order within their respective series is highly recommended to appreciate character crossovers, recurring creatures like Basil the mini-dragon, and the subtle evolutionary details of this magical world.
Publication Order of the Mystic Brews Series
The Mystic Brews series (formerly known as the Welsh Witch series) is set in the misty Welsh town of Misty Valley. It follows April Storm (known in the magical community as Ebrel Dymestl), a barista who can converse with spirits and solve murders alongside a snarky talking cat named Punkin. The books should be read in order of release:
- Lattes and Spirits (2020)
- Tall, Dark and Troll (2020)
- A Double Shot of Ghosts (2020)
- Coffee Grounds and Ghostly Hounds (2020)
- A French Press of Murder (2020)
- Italian Roast and Wedding Ghosts (2021)
- The Art of the Brew (2021)
- Frappes and Flying Machines (2022)
- The Marocchino Sparrow (2022)
- A Royal Brew (2023)
Publication Order of the Pixie Twist Mysteries
Set in the fictional, sun-soaked coastal town of St. Maurice, Southern California, this series centers on Twizzle Twist, a resilient pixie real estate agent with mismatched wings and a bum leg. The town is affected by magical Faerock deposits that trigger strange supernatural events. The recommended order is:
- A Twisted Riposte (2021)
- A Twisted Tune (2021)
- A Twisted Dive (2021)
- A Twisted Treasure (2021)
- A Twisted Inferno (2022)
- A Twisted Festival (2022)
Publication Order of the Eerie Falls Mysteries
Taking readers to the small town of Eerie Falls, Ontario, Canada, this series features Sammi Cupertino, a bookshop owner with a talent for finding trouble, accompanied by a vampiric cat. Read them in this order:
- The Case of the Perilous Puffin (2023)
- The Case of the Sanft Sasquatch (2023)
- A Cursed Cruise (2023)
The Urban Fantasy Crossover: Portals of the Red Tiger
For readers who want to see these cozy worlds collide in a high-stakes setting, Alyn Troy expanded his shared universe into urban fantasy with the Portals of the Red Tiger series. Beginning with Deadly Steel, this series follows the "Deadly Duo"—Fae espionage master Elain Edeirnion and her adoptive vampire brother, Neirin. It features prominent crossovers, where characters from the Eerie Falls and Mystic Brews series appear to help prevent a demonic invasion in New York City. We suggest diving into this series after reading at least the initial books of the cozy series to fully appreciate the character cameos.
What to Know Before You Start
Alyn Troy's books are praised for their inclusive cast of characters, featuring LGBTQ+-friendly themes and respectful representations of disabilities. While you can read the Pixie Twist or Eerie Falls series independently, starting with the Mystic Brews series is highly recommended because it acts as the primary anchor for the universe's magic system and lore.