Blythe Baker Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Blythe Baker

Blythe Baker is exceptionally prolific, maintaining several active series at any given time. Because her books are divided into distinct series, you do not need to read her entire bibliography in a single sequence. Instead, the best way to enjoy her work is to choose a series that fits your preferred subgenre and follow it from beginning to end.

For readers brand new to her catalog, there are three standout entry points depending on what flavor of mystery you enjoy most:

• The Historical Classic: Start with the Rose Beckingham Murder Mysteries. Beginning with A Subtle Murder (2018), this series is set in the late 1920s and features classic Golden Age puzzles, atmospheric estates, and a sharp protagonist.
• The Modern & Humorous: Start with the Barbara Hollis Murder Mysteries. Beginning with The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Homicide (2023), this contemporary series follows a housekeeper-turned-sleuth in the American South, bringing a lighter, comedic tone.
• The Paranormal: Start with the Ozark Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Beginning with Horribly Haunted in Hillbilly Hollow (2018), this series blends cozy investigations with light supernatural thrills.

The Beckingham Family Mysteries (Rose & Alice)

Two of Blythe Baker's most popular historical series are directly connected through family ties, making them a fantastic double-feature for fans of 1920s historical mysteries.

Rose Beckingham Murder Mysteries

This seven-book series is set in 1929 and introduces Rose Beckingham, a clever protagonist who returns to England from India carrying family secrets. Her adventures begin in a shadowy Scottish castle and wind through vintage estates, making this series a must-read for fans of classic manor-house whodunits. They should be read in order to follow Rose's personal journey.

1. A Subtle Murder (2018)
2. A Grave Welcome (2018)
3. A Cunning Death (2019)
4. A Grim Game (2019)
5. A Fatal Journey (2019)
6. A Sudden Passing (2019)
7. A Final Rest (2019)

Miss Alice Murder Mysteries

A direct spin-off of the Rose Beckingham books, this series stars Alice Beckingham—Rose's cousin. Alice follows in her cousin's detective footsteps, bringing a fresh perspective to a similar historical era. While the books are largely self-contained puzzles, reading the Rose Beckingham series first will give you the best appreciation for the family dynamics.

1. Murder by Midnight (2020)
2. Murder in the Evening (2020)
3. Murder by Candlelight (2020)
4. Murder in the Early Hours (2020)
5. Murder by Twilight (2020)
6. Murder in the Daytime (2020)

Historical British & European Sleuths

Baker has a deep affinity for historical British settings, crafting several standalone series that transport readers to different eras and social classes.

The Dickinson Sisters Mysteries

Set in early Victorian Yorkshire, this series follows two spinster sisters, Iris and Lily Dickinson, who run a local dressmaking shop. As they try to protect their business and social standings, they find themselves repeatedly entangled in local homicides. An ongoing subplot involving a secret that Lily is keeping from Iris makes reading these in order highly recommended.

1. A Thread of Madness (2020)
2. A Pattern of Death (2020)
3. A Fraying of Schemes (2020)
4. A Tangle of Secrets (2020)
5. A Design of Deceit (2021)
6. A Stab of Dread (2021)

Helen Lightholder Mysteries

Set during the 1940s in the picturesque English Cotswolds, this series follows Helen Lightholder as she solves traditional village mysteries against the backdrop of mid-century England. This series is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.

1. A Simple Country Murder (2019)
2. A Simple Country Funeral (2019)
3. A Simple Country Mystery (2019)
4. A Simple Country Tragedy (2019)
5. A Simple Country Killing (2019)
6. A Simple Country Deception (2019)

Jane Pemberton Murder Mysteries

Set in the 1920s, this series is situated in the moody coastal town of Ebonport. Protagonist Jane Pemberton navigates dangerous secrets and seaside mysteries, offering a slightly more atmospheric and coastal historical vibe.

1. An Inelegant Death (2021)
2. An Inevitable Murder (2021)
3. An Inconvenient Corpse (2021)
4. An Inexplicable Crime (2021)
5. An Infamous End (2022)
6. An Inescapable Conclusion (2022)

Anna Fairweather Mysteries

Also set in the 1920s, this series follows Anna Fairweather, a lady's maid working in an English country estate. After her employer, the Colonel, passes away under suspicious circumstances, Anna begins investigating. The series relies on the unique perspective of domestic servants who see and hear everything while remaining unnoticed by the upper classes.

1. An Untimely Death (2020)
2. An Unfortunate Demise (2021)
3. An Uninvited Corpse (2021)
4. An Unexpected Misfortune (2021)
5. An Unhappy Murder (2021)
6. An Untidy End (2021)

Sylvia Shipman Murder Mysteries

Taking a slight departure from rural England, the Sylvia Shipman series is set in the 1920s with a distinct Prohibition-era, gangster-influenced atmosphere. The series features an overarching mystery and focuses on the forbidden romantic tension between the wealthy Sylvia and her family's butler, Miles, as they travel and solve crimes together.

1. Murder With Motive (2023)
2. Murder With Means (2023)
3. Murder With Method (2023)
4. Murder With Manners (2023)
5. Murder With Money (2023)
6. Murder With Madness (2023)
7. Murder With Mirth (2023)
8. Murder With Mayhem (2023)

Victoria Sedgewick Mysteries

This historical British series follows Victoria Sedgewick, whose life is thrown into chaos after the suspicious death of her husband. Forced to uncover dark family secrets, she teams up with private inquiry agent Mr. Branwell Keats to protect her household.

1. Death Behind Silent Walls (2022)
2. Death Under Wrathful Skies (2022)
3. Death Among Fitful Shadows (2022)
4. Death Beneath A Troubled Roof (2022)
5. Death Below A Restless Moon (2023)
6. Death Beyond Forbidding Gates (2023)

Lillian Crawford Murder Mysteries

A 1920s historical cozy series centered around a pair of twins. Unlike Baker's other series that feature strong overarching subplots, the Lillian Crawford books are designed as standalone, one-by-one mysteries that can be read out of order, though publication order remains the default choice.

1. Murder Above the Silver Waves (2021)
2. Murder Within the Uneasy Crowd (2022)
3. Murder Across the Shadowed Room (2022)
4. Murder Behind the Closed Door (2022)
5. Murder During the Bitter Night (2022)
6. Murder Among the Silent Dead (2022)
7. Murder Beside the Swift Waters (2022)
8. Murder Over The Cold Grave (2022)

Contemporary & Paranormal Cozy Series

For readers who prefer modern settings or a touch of the supernatural, Baker offers several highly engaging options.

Barbara Hollis Murder Mysteries

Blythe Baker's primary contemporary series features Barbara Hollis, a housekeeper in the American South who turns to crime-solving. This series is known for its humor, quirky southern characters, and lighthearted domestic investigations.

1. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Homicide (2023)
2. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Arson (2024)
3. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide To Theft (2024)
4. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide To Danger (2024)
5. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide To Disaster (2024)
6. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide To Crime (2024)
7. The Happy Housekeeper's Guide To Secrets (2024)

Ozark Ghost Hunter Mysteries

Set in the fictional town of Hillbilly Hollow in the Ozarks, this paranormal series stars Emma Hooper. Emma tracks down both human killers and ghostly apparitions in a lighthearted, spooky setting.

1. Horribly Haunted in Hillbilly Hollow (2018)
2. The Ghastly Ghost of Hillbilly Hollow (2018)
3. A Dastardly Death in Hillbilly Hollow (2018)
4. A Dangerous Departure From Hillbilly Hollow (2018)
5. A Haunted Holiday in Hillbilly Hollow (2018)
6. Terrible Tidings in Hillbilly Hollow (2019)
7. A Puzzling Plot in Hillbilly Hollow (2019)
8. A Criminal Celebration in Hillbilly Hollow (2019)

Mountain Magic Mysteries

Set in the magical village of Faerywood Falls, this series follows Marianne Huffler as she solves crimes with a paranormal twist. It is a great companion series to the Ozark Ghost Hunter books.

1. A Sinister Spell in Faerywood Falls (2019)
2. The Curious Curse of Faerywood Falls (2019)
3. A Dangerous Deceit in Faerywood Falls (2019)
4. A Malevolent Magic in Faerywood Falls (2019)
5. A Deadly Deed in Faerywood Falls (2019)
6. A Supernatural Secret in Faerywood Falls (2019)
7. A Mysterious Murder in Faerywood Falls (2019)
8. The Terrible Truth of Faerywood Falls (2019)
9. A Dreadful Death in Faerywood Falls (2019)
10. The Twisted Tale of Faerywood Falls (2019)

Sunrise Island & Japanese Tea Garden Mysteries

If you are looking for short, breezy reads, these two smaller contemporary series are excellent choices. the Sunrise Island series is particularly notable as it contains Baker's actual debut novel, A Body on the Beach (2018).

Sunrise Island Books:

1. A Body on the Beach (2018)
2. A Death on the Island (2018)
3. A Corpse at the Cove (2018)
4. A Secret by the Sea (2018)
5. A Killing On The Water (2018)

Japanese Tea Garden Books:

1. A Sip of Murder (2018)
2. A Drink of Death (2018)
3. A Taste of Trickery (2018)

What to Know Before You Start

Because Blythe Baker publishes books at an incredibly rapid pace, her series are tightly structured and consistently sized. Most series run between six and eight books, allowing readers to enjoy a complete story arc without committing to a decades-long saga. Each series operates in its own separate timeline, meaning there is no complex reading order between the different series, with the sole exception of the Beckingham family connection (Rose and Alice). You can jump between contemporary Southern housekeeping, Victorian dressmaking, and 1920s country estate mysteries whenever your mood changes.