Where to Start Reading Cora Harrison
For readers new to Cora Harrison, the best place to start is with her signature series, The Burren Mysteries, beginning with the debut novel My Lady Judge. Set in sixteenth-century Ireland, this series introduces Mara, a Brehon judge who resolves crimes under ancient Celtic law. If you prefer twentieth-century historical mysteries, start with the Reverend Mother Mysteries, beginning with A Shameful Murder. This series is set in 1920s Cork during the tumultuous years of the Irish Civil War and War of Independence. For fans of Victorian literature, the Gaslight Mysteries, starting with Season of Darkness, offers a playful detective partnership between Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins.
The Burren Mysteries Reading Order
Set in 1509 in the Burren, County Clare, this series features Mara, a woman appointed as Brehon (an investigating judge and lawgiver) by the local king. The stories are deeply grounded in ancient Irish Brehon law, which favored compensation, reconciliation, and restoration over execution. While each book features a standalone mystery, the personal lives of Mara, her scholars, and the community evolve chronologically. It is highly recommended to read this series in publication order.
- My Lady Judge (2007)
- Michaelmas Tribute / A Secret and Unlawful Killing (2008)
- The Sting of Justice (2009)
- Writ in Stone (2009)
- Eye of the Law (2010)
- Scales of Retribution (2011)
- Deed of Murder (2011)
- Laws in Conflict (2012)
- Chain of Evidence (2012)
- The Cross of Vengeance (2013)
- Verdict of the Court (2014)
- Condemned to Death (2014)
- A Fatal Inheritance (2015)
- An Unjust Judge (2016)
Reverend Mother Mysteries Reading Order
This acclaimed historical series is set in Cork, Ireland, during the 1920s. It features Reverend Mother Aquinas, a clever and observant nun who uses her deep understanding of human nature and her connections across all social classes to solve crimes. The series blends classic fair-play mystery puzzles with the historical tension of the Irish struggle for independence.
- A Shameful Murder (2015)
- A Shocking Assassination (2016)
- Beyond Absolution (2017)
- A Gruesome Discovery (2017)
- Death of a Novice (2018)
- Murder at the Queen's Old Castle (2018)
- Death of a Prominent Citizen (2020)
- Murder in an Orchard Cemetery (2021)
- Murder in the Cathedral (2022)
- The Deadly Weed (2023)
Gaslight Mysteries Reading Order
Moving across the Irish Sea to Victorian London, this series presents Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins as amateur sleuths. Together, the literary pair unravel dark conspiracies, murders, and secrets hidden in the fog-drenched streets of Victorian society.
- Season of Darkness (2019)
- Winter of Despair (2019)
- Summer of Secrets (2020)
- Spring of Hope (2021)
- Murder in the Mist (2023)
Drumshee Timeline and Chronicles (Children & YA)
Before writing adult mysteries, Cora Harrison was a primary school headteacher and wrote extensively for children. Her popular Drumshee Timeline series traces the history of a fictional Irish settlement, Drumshee, from the Iron Age through to the twentieth century. The companion series, Drumshee Chronicles, continues with historical adventure and suspense.
Drumshee Timeline
- Nuala and Her Secret Wolf (1997)
- The Secret of the Seven Crosses (1997)
- The Secret of Drumshee Castle (1998)
- The Secret of 1798 (1998)
- The Famine Secret (1998)
- Titanic Voyage from Drumshee (1998)
- Millennium At Drumshee (1999)
- The Drumshee Rebels (1999)
- Viking At Drumshee (2000)
- Murder At Drumshee (2000)
- World War 2 in Drumshee (2001)
- Dark Days At Drumshee (2003)
- Secret Spy from Drumshee (2003)
Drumshee Chronicles
- Murder Strikes Again (2004)
- Treachery At Midnight (2004)
- Doomed to Die (2005)
- A Life for a Life (2005)
Other YA and Middle Grade Series
Harrison's diverse bibliography also includes several other historical and contemporary series for younger audiences.
London Murder Mysteries
Set in Victorian London, this series follows a gang of street children who solve crimes alongside a young Charles Dickens.
- The Montgomery Murder (2010)
- The Deadly Fire (2010)
- Murder on Stage (2010)
- Death of a Chimney Sweep (2011)
- The Body in the Fog (2011)
- Death in the Devil's Den (2012)
Jane Austen Mysteries
A fun, lighthearted historical fiction duology focusing on Jane Austen's youth, written from the perspective of her fictional best friend.
- I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend (2010)
- Jane Austen Stole my Boyfriend (2011)
Debutantes
This duology follows a group of young women navigating the high-society world of the 1920s.
- Debutantes (2012)
- In Love (2013)
Wolfcub Series
- That Boy Cadman (2001)
- Wolf in the Midnight Forest (2001)
- Wolf and the Frozen Mist (2003)
Standalone Novels & Short Story Contributions
Aside from her major series, Harrison has published a few standalone works. Her contemporary YA novel Gorgeous was published in 2004. In 2011, she contributed to the anthology Down These Green Streets, which profiles the state of Irish crime fiction in the 21st century. She also contributed to the anthology Trouble is Our Business (2016), showcasing contemporary Irish crime writing.
What to Know Before You Start
Cora Harrison's books are highly appreciated for their historical authenticity. For instance, the Burren law school Cahermacnaghten, which features heavily in the Burren Mysteries, was a real historical school of law in Clare. In the Reverend Mother series, the social fractures of post-treaty Ireland are represented with striking realism, highlighting class differences, the power of the Catholic Church, and the scars of guerrilla warfare. Readers who enjoy meticulous research and cozy yet intelligent plotting will find themselves right at home.