Carola Dunn Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Carola Dunn?

For most readers, the best entry point into Carola Dunn's literary world is the first novel in her signature historical mystery series: Death at Wentwater Court (1994). This book introduces the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple, a plucky, independent young woman in 1920s England who defies aristocratic expectations to earn her own living as a journalist. It sets the tone for Dunn's classic, cozy puzzle style, reminiscent of Agatha Christie but with a lighter, more modern touch.

If you prefer a post-WWII, mid-20th-century setting, you can start with the Cornish Mysteries. The series begins with Manna from Hades (2009), featuring Eleanor Trewynn, a retired global charity worker in her late sixties who settles down in Cornwall only to find herself investigating local murders. Finally, for fans of traditional Regency romances, her standalone novels or the highly acclaimed Black Sheep's Daughter (1989) offer delightful comedies of manners and closed-door historical romance.

The Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries

The Daisy Dalrymple series is Carola Dunn's most famous work, spanning 23 full-length novels and two short stories. Set in England during the roaring twenties, the books follow Daisy as she travels to various country estates, historic landmarks, and busy towns, stumbling upon corpses and solving crimes alongside Scotland Yard's Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher. The relationship and eventual partnership between Daisy and Alec form a central arc throughout the series.

For this series, the chronological order matches the publication order. You should read them in sequence to avoid spoilers regarding the recurring cast, Daisy's career advancement, and her evolving personal life. The two short stories, Unhappy Medium and Storm in a Tea Shoppe, were published in 2009 and are best read after the eighteenth novel, Sheer Folly.

Daisy Dalrymple Reading Order

• Death at Wentwater Court (1994)
• The Winter Garden Mystery (1995)
• Requiem for a Mezzo (1996)
• Murder on the Flying Scotsman (1996)
• Damsel in Distress (1997)
• Dead in the Water (1998)
• Styx and Stones (1999)
• Rattle His Bones (2000)
• To Davy Jones Below (2001)
• The Case of the Murdered Muckraker (2002)
• Mistletoe and Murder (2002)
• Die Laughing (2003)
• A Mourning Wedding (2004)
• Fall of a Philanderer (2005)
• Gunpowder Plot (2006)
• The Bloody Tower (2007)
• Black Ship (2008)
• Sheer Folly (2009)
• Unhappy Medium (2009) — Short Story
• Storm in a Tea Shoppe (2009) — Short Story
• Anthem for Doomed Youth (2011)
• Gone West (2012)
• Heirs of the Body (2013)
• Superfluous Women (2015)
• The Corpse at the Crystal Palace (2019)

The Cornish Mysteries

In 2009, Dunn introduced a new setting and protagonist with the Cornish Mysteries. Set in the fictional coastal village of Port Mabyn during the 1960s, these novels feature Eleanor Trewynn, a widow who spent her life doing charity work abroad and now runs a local charity shop called LonStar. Alongside her West Highland Terrier, Teazle, and her niece Megan Pencarrow (a local police detective), Eleanor solves crimes in the tight-knit community.

Dunn created Eleanor because she wanted to write a main character closer to her own age. These books tackle themes of community, aging, and changing times in rural Britain, combined with cozy mystery elements.

Cornish Mysteries Reading Order

• Manna from Hades (2009)
• A Colourful Death (2010)
• Valley of the Shadow (2012)
• Buried in the Country (2016)

Regency Romance Series and Trilogies

Before launching her mystery writing career, Carola Dunn was a prolific author of Regency romances. She published over 30 romance novels, most of which are standalone comedies of manners that can be read in any order. However, she did write a handful of connected series and trilogies that share recurring characters or settings. They should be read in publication order to appreciate their character arcs and minor crossovers.

Miss Hartwell's Dilemma Duo

This is a two-book linked series set in the Regency period featuring recurring families and dilemmas.

1. Miss Hartwell's Dilemma (1988)
2. Two Corinthians (1989)

Black Sheep (Regency Adventure) Trilogy

Unlike standard drawing-room romances, this trilogy focuses on adventures, political intrigue, and travel. It begins with Teresa Danville, who returned to England after being raised in Costa Rica by her 'black sheep' father, and continues with stories featuring her cousin and their friends.

1. Black Sheep's Daughter (1989)
2. Lady in the Briars (1990)
3. Polly and the Prince (1991)

Miss Larkin / Valiant Hearts Trilogy

This trilogy follows connected families navigating the social pressures and courtships of London high society.

1. A Lord for Miss Larkin (1991)
2. The Road to Gretna (1992)
3. Thea's Marquis (1993)

Rothschild Trilogy

A more overtly historical trilogy that incorporates the Napoleonic Wars and the famous Rothschild banking network as backdrop elements to the romance.

1. Miss Jacobson's Journey (1992)
2. Lord Roworth's Reward (1994) — Also published as His Lordship's Reward
3. Captain Ingram's Inheritance (1994) — Also published as The Captain's Inheritance

What to Know Before You Start

All of Carola Dunn's books share a lighthearted, clean, and engaging style. The romances are strictly "closed-door" (PG-rated), focusing on wit, historical detail, and emotional connection rather than explicit content. Her mysteries are similarly cozy, avoiding graphic violence or overly dark psychological themes, making them perfect for fans of traditional British mysteries. While individual mysteries are self-contained enough to be understood on their own, the deep continuity of the characters' relationships makes reading in order highly rewarding.