Catherine Maiorisi Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Catherine Maiorisi

If you are new to Catherine Maiorisi’s work, your starting point depends on your preferred genre. Maiorisi writes in two distinct lanes: gritty crime fiction featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists, and emotional, healing-focused contemporary romance. For readers who enjoy intense police procedurals with deeply complex characters, the best starting point is A Matter of Blood, the first book in the Chiara Corelli Mystery series. For those looking for a standalone contemporary romance that deals with personal recovery, grief, and new beginnings, the recommended entry point is her debut romance novel, Matters of the Heart.

The Chiara Corelli Mystery Series in Reading Order

The Chiara Corelli Mystery series is a set of police procedurals following NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli and her partner, P.J. Parker. The series deals with heavy themes, including PTSD, institutional homophobia and corruption, systemic trauma, and complex detective work. Because the relationship between the two lead detectives, as well as their personal trauma recovery, develops continuously across the novels, it is highly recommended to read these books in strict publication order.

1. A Matter of Blood (2018): The series opener introduces Detective Chiara Corelli, a veteran struggling with the traumatic aftermath of a shooting and her own identity in a hostile NYPD environment. Drafted by Internal Affairs to investigate a ring of suspected dirty cops, she is paired with Detective P.J. Parker. The two must learn to trust each other while investigating a gruesome murder case that threatens to expose corruption at the highest levels.
2. The Blood Runs Cold (2019): In the second installment, Corelli and Parker are called to investigate the murder of the son of the Italian Ambassador to the United Nations. Set against the backdrop of diplomatic immunity and international tension, this book deepens the partners' dynamic as Corelli confronts her painful family history and the prejudice embedded within her own community.
3. A Message in Blood (2021): The third book ramps up the personal stakes when a series of brutal, ritualistic murders targeting lesbians strikes close to home. Corelli and Parker must hunt down a calculating serial killer who is deliberately leaving messages in blood, challenging the detectives' resilience and forcing them to protect those they love.
4. Legacy in the Blood (2022): The fourth novel finds the detectives investigating the murder of a wealthy, influential family matriarch. The case plunges them into a web of greed, family secrets, and historical legacies that wealthy elites will do anything to protect, all while Corelli continues to heal from her past physical and emotional wounds.
5. Blood of the Innocents (2025): The fifth novel centers on a tragic and politically charged case. When a rising trans singer, Alessandra Moreau, is found murdered in the home of a state senator, Corelli and Parker uncover a pattern of identical, unsolved murders of transgender women spanning the past two years. They must connect these modern crimes to cold cases from decades earlier to stop a methodical killer.

Standalone Novels and Romances

Aside from her mystery series, Maiorisi has built a strong reputation in the lesbian romance community. Her standalone novels explore themes of vulnerability, rebuilding a life after tragedy, and finding love at unexpected moments. They can be read in any order, though they are listed here by publication date:

• Matters of the Heart (2016): This romance novel follows a woman recovering from an abusive relationship who finds an unexpected connection, prompting a journey of emotional healing and mutual trust.
• No One But You (2017): A story of second chances and small-town dynamics, focusing on two women who must overcome past betrayals and family obligations to find happiness together.
• Ready for Love (2019): This contemporary romance focuses on characters dealing with career changes and the fear of vulnerability, proving that it is never too late to open one's heart.
• Taking a Chance on Love (2020): A slow-burn romance exploring what happens when two women from vastly different backgrounds are forced to work together, leading to unexpected sparks and personal growth.
• The Disappearance of Lindy James (2021): Winner of a Goldie Award, this novel leans more toward general fiction and family drama. It follows a woman who leaves her old life behind under mysterious circumstances, exploring the complex choices women make to reclaim their independence and protect their children.
• Love Among the Ruins (2023): This emotional romance centers on Calliope DeAndre, a romance author housebound by severe grief and anxiety after the death of her wife. The novel follows her slow path back to the world and the possibility of finding love a second time.

Short Stories and Anthology Contributions

Maiorisi’s short fiction provides interesting context, including the direct origin of her romance writing. These stories are published across various anthologies:

• 'The Fan Club' (2014): Published in the Best Lesbian Romance 2014 anthology, this short story is unique because it was written to explore the backstory of Brett Cummings, a character from the Chiara Corelli Mystery universe. Writing this story inspired Maiorisi to write standalone romances.
• 'Come as You Want to Be' (2016): A standalone romance short story published as a digital eStory.
• 'All's Well that Ends Well' (2017): Published in the Bella Books anthology Conference Call, this story follows romance themes in a professional setting.
• 'Justice for All' (2011/2021): Her mystery short stories have appeared in the Murder New York Style anthology series, highlighting local NYC crime tales.

What to Know Before You Start

Catherine Maiorisi had a long career as a corporate technology consultant in New York City before publishing her first novel in her seventies. This background is reflected in the vivid, authentic, and unsentimental portrayal of New York City settings throughout her books, from the busy streets of the Upper West Side to the quiet corners of the Catskills. Readers should be prepared for mature themes in the Chiara Corelli series, as the books deal directly with the realities of police corruption, homophobia, and violence against marginalized groups. In contrast, her romances offer a gentler but equally realistic look at emotional recovery and personal growth, ensuring a satisfying emotional payoff.