Caron Allan Books in Order

How to Read Caron Allan's Books

Caron Allan has crafted multiple mystery series that transport readers to different eras of British history, from the elegant, tense interwar period of the 1930s to the swinging, stylish decade of the 1960s. Because her main historical mystery series share a tight web of family connections, recurring characters, and evolving relationships, the absolute best way to experience them is in publication order. This ensures you catch every familial easter egg and watch the romantic and professional partnerships develop naturally without spoilers.

If you prefer to tackle her modern or dark-comedy thrillers, those can be read separately from the historical mysteries, though they should also be read in order within their respective series groups.

The Dottie Manderson Mysteries (1930s)

Set in Britain during the interwar years, this series features Dottie Manderson, a wealthy young society woman who works as a fashion mannequin (model) and has an insatiable curiosity for solving crimes. The series blends classic Golden Age detection with a slow-burn romance between Dottie and Detective Inspector William Hardy.

Reading the Dottie Manderson books in order is highly recommended, as the overarching plot tracks their growing partnership, engagement, and eventual marriage.

• Night and Day (2016) – The series opener. Dottie stumbles onto a dying man and finds herself playing amateur detective alongside Inspector Hardy.
• The Mantle of God (2017) – Relic-hunting turns deadly as Dottie investigates a mystery involving a sacred scrap of cloth and a trail of secrets.
• Scotch Mist (2018) – A cozy novella that sends Dottie and Inspector Hardy on a chaotic adventure in Scotland, full of mistaken identities and mayhem.
• The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish (2018) – Dottie visits the English countryside and uncovers a cold case that was ruled a suicide. Crucially for continuity, this book features the birth of baby Diana "Dee" Gascoigne, the daughter of Dottie's sister Flora.
• The Thief of St Martins (2019) – Dottie faces secrets, stolen items, and fresh murder investigations in the heart of London.
• The Spy Within (2020) – A suspenseful installment that tests Dottie's investigative skills as international tensions and espionage creep closer to home.
• Rose Petals and White Lace (2022) – Mischief and murder plague a local tea room, testing Dottie's wits once again.
• Midnight, the Stars, and You (2025) – Set during a weekend house party meant to offer a break from wedding preparations. Murder disrupts the party, forcing William Hardy to balance his duties with a personal crisis.
• The Rough Rude Sea (Forthcoming, Expected December 2026) – Set in the summer of 1935, following Dottie and William as they return home from their honeymoon via steamship.

The Miss Gascoigne Mysteries (1960s Spin-Off)

This series moves the timeline forward to the 1960s and follows Diana "Dee" Gascoigne. Dee is the daughter of Dottie's sister Flora, whom readers first meet as a newborn baby at the beginning of The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish. Now in her late twenties and separated from an abusive husband, Dee seeks independence and repeatedly stumbles into murder investigations in swinging Britain.

In a delightful cross-series tie-in, Dee is frequently assisted by her brother Rob and works alongside Detective Inspector Bill Hardy—who is the son of Dottie Manderson and William Hardy. Over the course of the series, Dee and Bill's professional partnership develops into a romantic relationship.

• A Meeting With Murder (2022) – Dee Gascoigne's debut, establishing her new life and her first major amateur investigation.
• A Wreath of Lilies (2023) – Dee is drawn into another complex puzzle where vintage secrets lead to modern murder.
• Through Dancing Poppies (2026) – Released in April 2026, this volume sees Dee diving deeper into the mysteries of her local community while managing her complicated personal life.

Friendship Can Be Murder Trilogy (Posh Hits)

If you are looking for a change of pace, this contemporary series is written in the form of diary entries and features dark, satirical humor. The story centers on Cressida Barker-Powell, a wealthy and "posh" society woman who decides she wants to murder her bullying mother-in-law, only to discover someone else got there first.

• Criss Cross (2013) – Cressida's plans go awry when her mother-in-law is found dead, and she discovers her best friend Monica was the killer.
• Cross Check (2014) – The dark, comedic fallout continues as Cressida handles blackmail, cover-ups, and fresh schemes.
• Check Mate (2016) – The final book in the original trilogy, wrapping up Cressida and Monica's wild criminal antics.
• Families Can Be Murder: Dirty Work (Forthcoming, Expected Autumn 2026) – A spin-off trilogy set twelve years later. This series shifts the focus to Cressida's husband, Matt Hopkins, who begins keeping his own secret diary to track Cressida's nefarious plans.

Standalone Novels and Short Stories

For readers who want self-contained stories, Caron Allan has published several standalone novels that do not require any prior reading:

• Easy Living (2019) – A unique paranormal fantasy, romance, and mystery novel. It follows Jane Cooper, who enters a body-less spirit state after a hospital procedure and must work with other lost souls to uncover the truths behind their deaths.
• The Cousins (2025) – A mystery focusing on family secrets, following Caitlin as she meets long-lost relatives after her grandfather's death.
• The Silent Woman (Standalone) – A classic ghost story following a group of investigators trying to solve paranormal mysteries.
• The Refuge (Standalone) – A survival and "found family" drama centering on individuals who flee the destruction of their town and seek safety in a mountain sanctuary.
• The Neverending Wife (2014) – A dark, humorous fantasy short story about a husband who attempts to murder his bullying wife, only to discover she is physically impossible to kill.
• The Commuter's Friend (2016) – A collection of short stories and flash fiction designed to be read in quick bites during travel.

What to Know Before You Start

The primary connection to keep in mind is the family tree bridging the 1930s and 1960s books. Diana "Dee" Gascoigne (the protagonist of the 1960s series) is the niece of Dottie Manderson. Bill Hardy (the detective in the 1960s series) is Dottie's son, making him Dee's cousin. Reading the Dottie Manderson series first will give you the full context of how these families grew, making the 1960s mysteries significantly more rewarding.