Where to Start with Cindy Anstey
For readers diving into Cindy Anstey’s charming historical worlds for the first time, the best place to start is her debut novel, Love, Lies and Spies (2016). It perfectly showcases her trademark formula: a fiercely independent heroine with a unique hobby, a dashing hero caught up in high-stakes circumstances, plenty of Austen-style banter, and a clean, satisfying romance. If you prefer a story driven by a clever puzzle and legal capers, Duels & Deception (2017) is another fantastic entry point that readers frequently cite as a favorite.
The Recommended Reading Order
Because the vast majority of Cindy Anstey’s works are written as standalone novels, you do not need to follow a strict chronological sequence. However, reading them in publication order is highly recommended. This allows you to experience her development as a storyteller, as she transitions from lighthearted romantic comedies to slightly darker, atmospheric historical mysteries like The Hummingbird Dagger.
Cindy Anstey Books in Publication Order
- Love, Lies and Spies (2016)
- Duels & Deception (2017)
- Suitors and Sabotage (2018)
- Carols and Chaos (2018)
- The Hummingbird Dagger (2019)
- Deadly Curious (2020)
The Suitors and Sabotage Companion Duology
While Anstey mostly wrote standalone books, she did create one official two-book series set within the same narrative universe: the Suitors and Sabotage companion novels. These books are linked by their chronological setting and shared themes of young love and minor mysteries, though they feature different main characters.
1. Suitors and Sabotage (2018)
Set during the bright summer of 1817, this novel follows Imogene Chively, a young woman whose father expects her to marry a sensible man. When Ernest Harvey arrives to paint the family estate, he brings his own reluctance to marry. However, when a series of dangerous "accidents" (or deliberate acts of sabotage) target Ernest, the two must work together to find the culprit. This book establishes the lighthearted, mystery-tinged tone of the duology.
2. Carols and Chaos (2018)
Set during the snowy winter of 1817, this festive companion novel shifts the focus down the social ladder to the lives of the estate's staff. It follows Kate Darby, a hardworking lady’s maid, and Matt Valour, a valet. As Christmas preparations descend into chaos, the pair find themselves embroiled in a counterfeiting scheme. Reading this immediately after Suitors and Sabotage provides a cozy, satisfying look at how different classes experienced the same Regency society during different seasons of the same year.
Anstey's Standalone Historical Mysteries
Aside from her duology, Anstey published four distinct standalone books that can be read in any order. Each offers a slightly different flavor of Regency-era adventure:
- Love, Lies and Spies (2016): Set in 1812, this story follows Juliana Telford, a ladybug-obsessed naturalist who has no interest in the marriage mart. When she crosses paths with Spencer Woodbridge, an agent on a secret government mission, she accidentally becomes entangled in a web of espionage.
- Duels & Deception (2017): Lydia Whitfield is a wealthy heiress who has her future planned out, until she is kidnapped alongside her family's law clerk, Robert Newton. The two must work together to uncover who is trying to steal Lydia's inheritance while managing their growing feelings for one another.
- The Hummingbird Dagger (2019): Marking a shift toward a darker, gothic-lite tone, this novel begins when Lord James Morton discovers a mute, unconscious woman on his estate. She has no memory of her past and is carrying a uniquely engraved hummingbird dagger. Together, they attempt to solve the mystery of her identity before her enemies catch up to her.
- Deadly Curious (2020): Set in London during 1818, this book features Sophia Thompson, a young woman who secretly assists her cousin at a private inquiry agency. When a routine investigation turns into a murder inquiry, Sophia has to balance hunting for clues with navigating the pressures of the social season.
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping in, it is helpful to understand the general style and limitations of Cindy Anstey’s bibliography. Her novels are categorized as Young Adult (YA) historical fiction. While they feature romance, they are firmly "sweet" or "clean" romances, focusing heavily on emotional tension, witty dialogue, and mutual respect rather than physical intimacy. Furthermore, Anstey did not write any direct sequels; even her Suitors and Sabotage books function perfectly well as individual stories. There are no complicated spin-offs, co-authored universes, or confusing reading orders to worry about, making her collection incredibly accessible for new readers.