The Recommended Reading Path
If you are diving into Caroline Dunford’s historical mystery universe, the best way to experience it is by following the lives of the characters in chronological order. Because the characters age, change roles, and live through historical events like World War I and World War II, reading the books in order ensures you do not spoil major plot twists or character developments. The grand narrative arc begins with the Euphemia Martins Mystery series, transitions into the Hope Stapleford Mystery spin-off, and is enriched by the companion Fitzroy short stories.
Step 1: The Euphemia Martins Mysteries (Start Here)
Begin with A Death in the Family. This book introduces Euphemia Martins, a young woman from a respectable family who, due to sudden financial ruin, is forced to take a job as a maid. She quickly discovers she has a talent for solving murders, a skill that catches the attention of the British intelligence services. You should read this 18-book series in publication order, as it takes Euphemia from her first job in 1910 through the espionage-riddled years of World War I.
Step 2: The Hope Stapleford Adventures
After finishing the Euphemia Martins series (or at least reaching the wartime books), you can move on to the Hope Stapleford Mystery Books. Hope is Euphemia's daughter, and this series begins at the onset of World War II. It features many of the same themes of domestic service, hidden identity, and high-stakes espionage, but updated for the 1940s landscape.
Step 3: The Fitzroy Companion Stories
The mysterious spymaster Fitzroy is a key recurring figure in both Euphemia's and Hope's lives. In 2024, Dunford released a series of five short stories focusing on Fitzroy's own operations. While you can read these as a standalone block, they are best enjoyed after you have established a familiarity with Fitzroy in the main series.
Publication Order of the Euphemia Martins Mysteries
Euphemia's journey is a chronological progression through early 20th-century Britain. Here is the publication and chronological order of her investigations:
- A Death in the Family (2009) – Euphemia enters service at the Stapleford estate and solves her first murder.
- A Death in the Highlands (2013) – Set during a shooting party at a Scottish lodge.
- A Death in the Asylum (2013) – Euphemia goes undercover in a private psychiatric facility.
- A Death in the Wedding Party (2013) – A family wedding turns deadly.
- The Mistletoe Mystery (2013) – A festive short story (often counted as Book 4.5).
- A Death in the Pavilion (2014) – Murder strikes the cricket field.
- A Death in the Loch (2014) – Euphemia returns to Scotland to face local superstitions and real murder.
- A Death for King and Country (2015) – The stakes rise as Euphemia's detective work overlaps with the Titanic disaster and international espionage.
- A Death for a Cause (2015) – The Suffragette movement and political tensions take center stage.
- A Death by Arson (2016) – A suspicious fire drags Euphemia into a dangerous web.
- A Death Overseas (2016) – Euphemia's espionage duties take her abroad.
- A Death at Crystal Palace (2018) – Set against the backdrop of the iconic London landmark.
- A Death at a Gentleman's Club (2019) – Euphemia infiltrates the exclusive male sanctuaries of London.
- A Death at the Church (2019) – Crime finds Euphemia in a quiet parish setting.
- A Death at the Races (2020) – Intrigue at the racecourse.
- A Death in the Hospital (2020) – Euphemia investigates crimes in a medical ward.
- A Death on Stage (2021) – Murder in the theatrical world.
- A Death of a Dead Man (2023) – A complex mystery involving past secrets.
- A Death at Christmas (2025) – Euphemia returns to the Fens, only to get caught up in a deadly holiday gathering organized by Fitzroy.
Publication Order of the Hope Stapleford Mystery Books
Following Euphemia's daughter, Hope, during the Second World War, this spin-off series should be read in this exact order:
- Hope for the Innocent (2020)
- Hope to Survive (2021)
- Hope for Tomorrow (2022)
- Hope Under Fire (2024)
- Hope Against Evil (2025)
Publication Order of the Fitzroy Companion Stories
These spy stories were all published in 2024 and focus on the covert exploits of the enigmatic spymaster Fitzroy:
- The Incident at Brighton Pier (2024)
- Across The Line (2024)
- A Rose By Any Other Name (2024)
- Honeymoon (2024)
- The Limping Man (2024)
Caroline Dunford’s Standalone Novels and Non-Fiction
Outside her primary historical mystery universe, Dunford has written several standalone works across different genres:
- How to Survive the Terrible Twos (2005) – A practical parenting guide reflecting Dunford's background in psychology.
- Highland Inheritance (2014) – A contemporary romance novel set in Scotland.
- Playing for Love (2015) – A contemporary romance novel.
- Fake News (2018) – A young adult spy novel addressing modern issues of truth and misinformation.
What to Know Before You Start
Caroline Dunford’s background in psychology, journalism, and playwriting shines through in her sharp dialogue and complex character relationships. The Euphemia Martins series is often described as "Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey," but it also incorporates a strong element of historical espionage as the series progresses toward the First World War. While the mysteries in individual books are usually resolved, the character relationships, Euphemia's social mobility, and the underlying spy plots span the entire series. For this reason, starting with the very first book, A Death in the Family, is highly recommended to fully appreciate the character dynamics, particularly Euphemia's complicated relationship with the bumbling Bertram Stapleford and the manipulative spymaster Fitzroy.