How to Read D.A. Bartley's Books
D.A. Bartley (the pen name of Alison von Rosenvinge) is best known for her atmospheric police procedurals set against the backdrop of Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Her mystery stories offer readers a rare, nuanced look into Mormon history, culture, and community secrets. Since the main storyline follows a continuous narrative arc centered on detective Abish Taylor's personal and professional life, readers should follow the books in order of their release.
Abish Taylor Mystery Series in Publication Order
The core of D.A. Bartley’s bibliography is the Abish Taylor series. We recommend reading these books in chronological publication order to fully appreciate the character development of the protagonist and the evolving investigation dynamics:
- Blessed Be the Wicked (2018) – The series debut introduces Detective Abish "Abbie" Taylor, a lapsed Mormon returning to her hometown of Pleasant View, Utah, after the sudden death of her husband. She is immediately pulled into a complex, ritualistic murder investigation that mirrors historical events in the LDS Church.
- Death in the Covenant (2019) – In this sequel, Abbie is deeper into the local police department and must investigate a high-profile death that exposes secretive practices, power dynamics, and institutional cover-ups, forcing her to balance her duty as a detective with her complex family ties.
Understanding the "Loved by Four" Database Confusion
If you have searched online library databases or book retailer listings for D.A. Bartley, you may have encountered a second series called Loved by Four (beginning with Quadruple Bet). In some metadata registries, these titles are erroneously linked to D.A. Bartley.
However, web-grounded research confirms that the Loved by Four series is actually written by romance author Sarwah Creed. The books in that series include:
- Quadruple Bet (2023)
- Four Stepbrothers & I (2023)
- Four Warned (2023)
- Four Mobsters & A Princess: Part 1 (2023)
- Four Mobsters & A Princess: Part 2 (2023)
- Four More Chances (2023)
If you are looking specifically for the crime-solving suspense, legal intrigue, and cultural explorations written by D.A. Bartley, you should stick exclusively to the Abish Taylor Mystery books.
What to Know Before You Start
D.A. Bartley’s background heavily influences her writing. As a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers with family roots in the Salt Lake Valley dating back to the 1840s, she brings an insider's nuance to her portrayals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather than caricature or sensationalize the community, Bartley explores the complex tension between personal faith, institutional loyalty, and the pursuit of justice. Her academic background—holding both a J.D. and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania—shines through in the meticulous way she constructs the legal, procedural, and political stakes of her mysteries.