Brittany Cavallaro Books in Order

Where to Start with Brittany Cavallaro

If you are new to Brittany Cavallaro's work, the absolute best place to begin is with her signature series, the Charlotte Holmes tetralogy. Starting with A Study in Charlotte, this series showcases her mastery of mystery, witty banter, and complex character dynamics. It reimagines the classic Sherlock Holmes lore through the eyes of teenage descendants, blending deduction with the raw emotional stakes of modern boarding school life.

If you prefer historical fantasy and political schemes, you should start with the Muse duology. For readers looking for standalone contemporary stories, her feminist road-trip thriller Hello Girls (co-authored with Emily Henry) or the tender verse novel Sunrise Nights (co-authored with Jeff Zentner) make excellent entry points.

The Charlotte Holmes Series Reading Order

This series follows Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson—the great-great-great-grandchildren of the famous detective duo—as they navigate crime-solving, trauma, and their own complicated relationship at a Connecticut boarding school and beyond. Because of the heavy serialization and deep character development across the books, you must read them in strict publication order:

1. A Study in Charlotte (2016) – Jamie and Charlotte meet at Sherringford Prep. When a student is murdered in a manner mirroring a classic Doyle tale, they are framed and must work together to clear their names.
2. The Last of August (2017) – Set during winter break, Jamie and Charlotte travel to London and the Sussex countryside, only to get entangled in an art forgery ring and the disappearance of Charlotte's beloved uncle.
3. The Case for Jamie (2018) – Following the traumatic events of the previous book, Jamie and Charlotte are estranged. But a mysterious threat targeting Watson forces them to cross paths once again.
4. A Question of Holmes (2019) – Charlotte is hired to investigate a cold case at a prestigious summer theater program at Oxford, with Jamie joining her to solve one last case.

The Muse Duology Reading Order

Set in a reimagined 1893 alternate America ruled by an oppressive monarchy, this duology centers on Claire Emerson, a young woman whose touch grants creative genius to others, and her struggle for autonomy and revolution. These books must be read in order:

1. Muse (2021) – Introduces Claire as she is held captive by her father and later by a young governor, Remy Duchamp, who seeks to use her gift to secure his rule.
2. Manifest (2023) – Claire and Remy are in exile following an attempted coup. Claire must choose between playing the political game or igniting a full-scale revolution.

Standalone Novels and Collaborations

Beyond her main series, Cavallaro has published several standalone books, many of which highlight her love for collaborative writing:

• No Girls No Telephones (2014) – A poetry chapbook co-written with Rebecca Hazelton. Structured as a "literary game of telephone" in response to John Berryman's The Dream Songs.
• Girl-King (2015) – A powerful poetry collection exploring girlhood, power, and myth, which won the Editor’s Choice for the Akron Poetry Prize.
• Hello Girls (2019) – Co-written with Emily Henry. A fast-paced, feminist adventure following two teens from toxic homes who steal a convertible and head on a wild road trip to escape their pasts.
• Sunrise Nights (2024) – Co-written with Jeff Zentner. A contemporary YA novel in verse and dialogue that follows two creative teens who meet at an arts camp and make a pact to spend only one night together each year.

Poetry and Anthologies

As a trained poet and academic, Cavallaro has also contributed to literary journals, poetry series, and anthologies:

• They Said: A Multi-Genre Anthology of Contemporary Collaborative Writing (2018) – A collection of collaborative works where Cavallaro's co-authored poetry is featured.
• Unhistorical (2019) – Cavallaro's second full-length poetry collection, which mixes historical narratives with deeply personal reflections.
• That Way Madness Lies (2021) – A YA anthology of Shakespeare retellings edited by Dahlia Adler. Cavallaro contributed "His Invention," a modern prose retelling of Sonnet 147.

What to Know Before You Start

While the Charlotte Holmes series is widely celebrated for its mystery and chemistry, readers should be aware that it deals with heavy themes, including addiction, mental health struggles, and trauma. It is much darker than typical cozy mysteries. If you want a lighter, high-energy thrill, go for Hello Girls first. For a lyrical, emotional read, pick up Sunrise Nights.