B.D. Churston Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

If you are planning to dive into the cozy mysteries of B.D. Churston, the best place to start is at the very beginning with the debut novel, Murder Most English. Because the characters grow, form relationships, and undergo significant personal milestones over the course of the series, reading the books in order is highly recommended to appreciate the full character arcs.

For the absolute best reading experience, we recommend following the chronological order, which places the standalone novella, A Tragedy at the Theatre, between the first and second full-length novels. This allows you to experience the adventures of the sleuthing duo in the exact sequence the crimes occur.

Lady Jane & Mrs. Forbes Mystery Series in Chronological Order

While most of the books were published in chronological sequence, the novella was released out of order. Below is the recommended chronological reading order for the series:

1. Murder Most English (2022) — Set in December 1927.
2. A Tragedy at the Theatre (Novella, 2024) — Set in April 1928.
3. The Sea View Cottage Conspiracy (2023) — Set in the summer of 1928.
4. The Body at Penford Priory (2023)
5. The Unfortunate Death of Lord Longbottom (2024)
6. Murder at Five Oaks Stables (2025)
7. The Winthrop Castle Affair (2025)
8. The Amberley Manor Mystery (2026)
9. The Murder Before Aunt Kate's Wedding (Scheduled for October 2026)

Publication Order of B.D. Churston Books

If you prefer to read the books in the exact order they were released to the public, follow this publication list. Note that the novella (Book 1.5) was published after Book 4:

• Murder Most English (2022)
• The Sea View Cottage Conspiracy (2023)
• The Body at Penford Priory (2023)
• The Unfortunate Death of Lord Longbottom (2024)
• A Tragedy at the Theatre (Novella, November 2024)
• Murder at Five Oaks Stables (2025)
• The Winthrop Castle Affair (2025)
• The Amberley Manor Mystery (2026)
• The Murder Before Aunt Kate's Wedding (Forthcoming, October 2026)

What to Know Before You Start

B.D. Churston is the collective pseudonym of a British family writing team consisting of a husband, a wife, and their adult son. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds in TV and radio scriptwriting, teaching, and professional illustration, the trio crafts classic whodunits heavily inspired by Golden Age detective fiction. The pen name 'Churston' itself is a direct nod to their love of Agatha Christie and memories of family holidays spent in Devon, near Christie's historic Greenway estate.

The stories are set in late 1920s England, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the flapper era, grand country estates, archaeological digs, and seaside villages. At the heart of the series are two amateur sleuths: Mrs. Kate Forbes, a wise widow of a High Court judge, and her academic, archaeology-loving niece, Lady Jane Scott. As they solve cases, they frequently cross paths with Inspector Ridley of Scotland Yard, who is initially skeptical of their help but gradually comes to respect their detective skills.

Key Character Milestones and Continuity

Unlike some cozy mystery series where characters remain static, the Lady Jane & Mrs. Forbes series features a continuous timeline with genuine character growth. As you read through the series, you will witness key developments in their personal lives. Lady Jane navigates a romance and eventual marriage to her husband, Harry. Meanwhile, Aunt Kate develops a close relationship with the recurring character Professor Perry Nash, culminating in their upcoming nuptials in the eighth installment, The Murder Before Aunt Kate's Wedding. Reading the books out of order will spoil these heartwarming relationship milestones.

Detailed Book Breakdown

1. Murder Most English (2022)

The series opens in December 1927. Mrs. Kate Forbes and her niece, Lady Jane Scott, are invited to a winter party at the grand Linton Hall. When a guest is murdered, they must use their wit to solve the crime before Scotland Yard's Inspector Ridley wraps up the wrong suspect.

1.5. A Tragedy at the Theatre (Novella, 2024)

Set in April 1928, this quick-paced novella follows the duo to the Astoria Theatre in Southshore. When an actor is found dead backstage right before the curtain rises, Kate and Jane step in to unravel the dramatic secrets of the cast.

2. The Sea View Cottage Conspiracy (2023)

Looking forward to a quiet summer holiday in the coastal town of Sandham-on-Sea, the sleuths instead find themselves investigating the mysterious disappearance of an elderly villager. This case quickly escalates into a complex international conspiracy.

3. The Body at Penford Priory (2023)

Leveraging Jane's passion for archaeology, the duo visits an active excavation site at Penford Priory. The uncovering of a fresh corpse among the ancient ruins turns the academic dig into a high-stakes murder investigation.

4. The Unfortunate Death of Lord Longbottom (2024)

Kate and Jane find themselves entangled in high-society gossip and aristocratic secrets when a prominent peer, Lord Longbottom, dies under highly suspicious circumstances. The investigation exposes a web of blackmail and rivalry.

5. Murder at Five Oaks Stables (2025)

A relaxing retreat to the English countryside goes awry when a killer strikes at the local stables. Jane and Kate must navigate horse racing politics and local feuds to track down the culprit.

6. The Winthrop Castle Affair (2025)

Set against the backdrop of an imposing estate, the duo investigates a death at Winthrop Castle. This classic country-house mystery is packed with hidden motives and family secrets.

7. The Amberley Manor Mystery (2026)

With Professor Perry Nash and Jane's husband Harry away at a conference, Jane and Aunt Kate attend a grand charity fundraiser at Amberley Manor, only for the event to be interrupted by a shocking crime.

8. The Murder Before Aunt Kate's Wedding (October 2026)

Wedding bells are ringing for Aunt Kate and Perry Nash, but the preparations are thrown into chaos when a murder occurs just days before the ceremony. Jane and Kate must solve the puzzle to ensure the wedding can go on.