Dawn Brookes Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

If you are new to the cozy, character-driven mysteries of Dawn Brookes, the best place to start is at the very beginning of her flagship series with A Cruise to Murder (Rachel Prince Mysteries, Book 1). This novel introduces police constable Rachel Prince and her traveling companion, Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe, establishing the cornerstone of Brookes' cozy universe.

Because Brookes' series are highly interconnected, you have three primary ways to approach her books depending on your reading style:

• The Flagship Route (Rachel Prince Mysteries): Start with A Cruise to Murder and follow Rachel's adventures aboard the fictional cruise liner Coral Queen. This is perfect for fans of classic, clean, travel-based whodunits.
• The Grittier PI Route (Carlos Jacobi Series): Start with Body in the Woods. This series focuses on Carlos Jacobi, a private investigator working cases on land. It features a slightly darker tone and includes Carlos's faithful ex-cadaver dog.
• The Spin-off Route (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe Mysteries): Start with the prequel novella Death of a Blogger or the first full-length novel, Murder at the Opera House. This lighthearted cozy series centers on an octogenarian sleuth and her circle of friends.

The Interconnected Cozy Universe: Crossovers & Continuity

Unlike many cozy mystery universes where spin-offs exist in isolation, Dawn Brookes has created a tightly woven web of characters whose lives intersect and evolve. Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe first appears as a supporting character in the very first Rachel Prince book, A Cruise to Murder, before spinning off into her own series. Meanwhile, private investigator Carlos Jacobi serves as Rachel Prince's love interest. Their relationship develops across both series, culminating in their marriage in Honeymoon Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince Book 7), after which Rachel is referred to as Rachel Jacobi-Prince.

For readers who want to watch the romance and character dynamics develop chronologically, reading the Rachel Prince and Carlos Jacobi series in order of publication is highly recommended.

Chronological Publication Order of the Mystery Universe

To experience the character arcs, marriages, and crossovers exactly as they occurred, use this combined reading timeline:

1. A Cruise to Murder (Rachel Prince #1) – 2018
2. Deadly Cruise (Rachel Prince #2) – 2018
3. Killer Cruise (Rachel Prince #3) – 2019
4. Dying to Cruise (Rachel Prince #4) – 2019
5. A Christmas Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #5) – 2019
6. Murderous Cruise Habit (Rachel Prince #6) – 2020
7. Body in the Woods (Carlos Jacobi #1) – 2020
8. Honeymoon Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #7) – 2020 (Rachel and Carlos marry)
9. The Bradgate Park Murders (Carlos Jacobi #2) – 2021
10. A Murder Mystery Cruise (Rachel Prince #8) – 2021
11. Hazardous Cruise (Rachel Prince #9) – 2021
12. Captain's Dinner Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #10) – 2021
13. Death of a Blogger (Lady Marjorie #0) – 2021
14. Murder at the Opera House (Lady Marjorie #1) – 2021
15. Corporate Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #11) – 2022
16. Murder in the Highlands (Lady Marjorie #2) – 2022
17. Murder at the Christmas Market (Lady Marjorie #3) – 2022
18. Treacherous Cruise Flirtation (Rachel Prince #12) – 2023
19. The Museum Murders (Carlos Jacobi #3) – 2023
20. Murder at a Wimbledon Mansion (Lady Marjorie #4) – 2023
21. Toxic Cruise Cocktail (Rachel Prince #13) – 2024
22. Murder in a Care Home (Lady Marjorie #5) – 2024
23. Murder at the Regatta (Lady Marjorie #6) – 2024
24. Cruise into Darkness (Rachel Prince #14) – 2025
25. Cruise Fountain Finale (Rachel Prince #15) – 2025
26. Murder on a Bus Tour (Lady Marjorie #7) – 2025
27. The Clock Tower Murders (Carlos Jacobi #4) – 2026
28. Fatal Cruise Convention (Rachel Prince #16) – 2026
29. Murder on Holy Island (Lady Marjorie #8) – 2026

Rachel Prince Cozy Cruise Mysteries

The Rachel Prince series is Dawn Brookes' most famous work, combining her love of cruise holidays with her 39-year background in nursing. The books follow police constable Rachel Prince, who attempts to take relaxing cruise vacations on the Coral Queen, only to find herself investigating murders on board. The series is celebrated for its Agatha Christie-style whodunit pacing, colorful ship settings (from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean), and clean crime approach (no graphic violence or explicit content).

The individual reading order for the Rachel Prince series is:

1. A Cruise to Murder (2018)
2. Deadly Cruise (2018)
3. Killer Cruise (2019)
4. Dying to Cruise (2019)
5. A Christmas Cruise Murder (2019)
6. Murderous Cruise Habit (2020)
7. Honeymoon Cruise Murder (2020)
8. A Murder Mystery Cruise (2021)
9. Hazardous Cruise (2021)
10. Captain's Dinner Cruise Murder (2021)
11. Corporate Cruise Murder (2022)
12. Treacherous Cruise Flirtation (2023)
13. Toxic Cruise Cocktail (2024)
14. Cruise into Darkness (2025)
15. Cruise Fountain Finale (2025)
16. Fatal Cruise Convention (2026)

Carlos Jacobi PI Series

For readers who prefer their mysteries on dry land, the Carlos Jacobi series delivers a slightly grittier (yet still cozy-adjacent) tone. Carlos Jacobi is a former police officer turned private investigator who takes on cases that the police have closed or overlooked. Accompanied by his loyal ex-cadaver dog and working alongside Detective Sergeant Fiona Cook, Carlos uncovers dark secrets in English locales like Bradgate Park. His ongoing romance with Rachel Prince adds a wonderful continuity link to the cruise mysteries.

The reading order for the Carlos Jacobi series is:

1. Body in the Woods (2020)
2. The Bradgate Park Murders (2021)
3. The Museum Murders (2023)
4. The Clock Tower Murders (2026)

Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe Mysteries

If you enjoyed Lady Marjorie's sharp wit and determination in the Rachel Prince series, her standalone series is a must-read. It features Lady Marjorie and a group of fellow octogenarians who refuse to let age slow them down. Together, they tackle mysteries at opera houses, Christmas markets, and Highland estates. It is light, humorous, and perfect for fans of senior sleuths.

The reading order for the Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe series is:

1. Death of a Blogger (Prequel Novella, 2021)
2. Murder at the Opera House (2021)
3. Murder in the Highlands (2022)
4. Murder at the Christmas Market (2022)
5. Murder at a Wimbledon Mansion (2023)
6. Murder in a Care Home (2024)
7. Murder at the Regatta (2024)
8. Murder on a Bus Tour (2025)
9. Murder on Holy Island (2026)

Hurry Up Nurse Memoirs

Before writing fiction, Dawn Brookes had a successful 39-year career in nursing, midwifery, and community health. Her bestselling memoirs capture the humor, struggles, and nostalgia of training as an NHS nurse in the 1970s and 1980s. These memoirs have topped Amazon charts and offer readers a warm look at the real-life experiences that ground the medical details in her cozy mysteries.

The memoirs should be read in publication order:

1. Hurry Up Nurse: Memoirs of Nurse Training in the 1970s (2016)
2. Hurry Up Nurse 2: London Calling (2017)
3. Hurry Up Nurse 3: More Adventures in the Life of a Student Nurse (2019)

Children's Books and Non-Fiction

Brookes is also a versatile indie publisher who writes children's stories focused on nature, animal care, and biblical adventures, alongside professional healthcare books from her nursing career.

Children's Publications

• Boats and Ships A to Z (2016)
• Danny the Caterpillar (2018)
• Gerry the One-Eared Cat (2018)
• Suki Seal and the Plastic Ring (2020)

Ava & Oliver Series

• Ava & Oliver's Bonfire Night Adventure (2017)
• Ava & Oliver's Christmas Nativity Adventure (2017)

Miracles of Jesus Series

• Jesus feeds a big crowd! (2016)
• Jesus Heals a Man on a Stretcher (2017)
• Bible Stories Colouring Book 2 (2017)

Non-Fiction and Professional Works

• Non-Medical Prescribing in Healthcare Practice (2006) – Co-edited academic textbook.
• How to Check Blood Sugar (2017) – Medical guide.
• Property Investment (2017) – Financial guide.
• Buy to Let (2019) – Financial guide.

What to Know Before You Start

Dawn Brookes' mystery books are written to be read as standalones; each mystery is self-contained with a complete resolution at the end. However, because the characters age, marry, and embark on new career stages, reading them out of order will result in minor spoilers regarding their personal relationships (especially between Rachel Prince and Carlos Jacobi). Additionally, the books showcase her extensive medical and cruising knowledge, ensuring the plots feel realistic while maintaining a lighthearted, clean tone free of graphic elements.