Where to Start Reading Diana Dempsey
Diana Dempsey’s catalog offers two very different reading experiences: high-stakes, sultry romantic suspense and lighthearted, humorous cozy mysteries. Because of this variety, your best starting point depends on your mood.
If you love cozy mysteries and laugh-out-loud humor: Start with MS America and the Offing on Oahu. This book kicks off the Beauty Queen Mysteries and introduces Happy Pennington, an amateur sleuth whose adventures are perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
If you prefer fast-paced, classic romantic suspense: Start with her debut novel, Falling Star. Drawing heavily on Dempsey’s actual career as an Emmy-winning television journalist, this page-turner plunges you directly into the cutthroat environment of broadcast news and romantic intrigue.
If you want an immersive historical journey: Dive straight into The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft. This award-winning historical standalone offers a deep, dramatic look at a real-life St. Louis legend, showcasing a completely different side of Dempsey’s storytelling.
Diana Dempsey Books in Order of Publication
If you prefer to see how Dempsey's writing style evolved over the years, reading in order of publication is the most straightforward path. Here is the chronological list of her releases, including novels, novellas, and anthology contributions:
- Falling Star (2002) – Celestial Trilogy Book 1
- To Catch the Moon (also published as Catch the Moon) (2003) – Celestial Trilogy Book 2
- Too Close to the Sun (2004) – Celestial Trilogy Book 3
- MS America and the Offing on Oahu (2011) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 1
- MS America and the Villainy in Vegas (2012) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 2
- Chasing Venus (2012) – Standalone Romantic Suspense
- Ms America and the Mayhem in Miami (2013) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 3
- Ms America and the Whoopsie in Winona (2013) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 4
- Ring of Truth (2014) – Anthology (Co-authored with Ciji Ware and Kate Moore)
- A Diva Wears the Ring (2015) – Short Story / Novella (Standalone Release)
- MS America and the Brouhaha on Broadway (2016) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 5
- Ms America and the Naughtiness in New Orleans (2017) – Beauty Queen Mysteries Book 6
- The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft (2023) – Standalone Historical Fiction
The Celestial Trilogy: Thematic Romance & Suspense
Dempsey's early career was defined by her popular Celestial Trilogy. Though grouped as a trilogy, these books are connected by theme, tone, and celestial-inspired titles rather than a single, continuous storyline or recurring cast of characters. You can read them in any order, though starting with the award-winning debut is highly recommended.
1. Falling Star (2002)
This RITA-nominated debut follows Natalie Daniels, a veteran Los Angeles news anchor navigating betrayal, romance, and corporate sabotage. Dempsey pulls back the curtain on the television newsroom, giving readers an authentic, fast-paced glimpse into the broadcast industry.
2. To Catch the Moon (2003)
Also published under the title Catch the Moon, this installment weaves together a classic murder mystery and an intense love triangle, keeping the suspense high and the romantic tension thick.
3. Too Close to the Sun (2004)
Shifting focus to the scenic vineyards of Napa Valley, this novel tells a dramatic story of forbidden love and wine-country secrets. It acts as a perfect conclusion to the thematic trilogy.
The Beauty Queen Mysteries: Chronological Cozy Adventures
Unlike the Celestial Trilogy, the Beauty Queen Mysteries should be read in chronological order. The series follows Happy Pennington, the reigning Ms. Ohio, who repeatedly finds herself embroiled in murder investigations while navigating the pageant world and her evolving relationships.
1. MS America and the Offing on Oahu (2011)
Happy Pennington travels to Hawaii to compete for the national Ms. America crown. When her biggest rival falls from an isolation booth and dies during the live broadcast, Happy becomes the prime suspect and must find the real killer.
2. MS America and the Villainy in Vegas (2012)
Happy’s adventures continue in the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas, where she matches wits with high-rollers and navigates a casino-floor mystery.
3. Ms America and the Mayhem in Miami (2013)
The sunshine state brings tropical trouble as Happy gets caught up in another funny, fast-paced investigation under the Miami sun.
4. Ms America and the Whoopsie in Winona (2013)
In this cozy, holiday-themed installment, Happy visits a snowy Minnesota town for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, only to discover deep-seated family feuds, strange local societies, and a mid-winter murder.
5. MS America and the Brouhaha on Broadway (2016)
Happy head to New York City's theater district. Navigating the competitive Broadway scene, she must solve a drama-filled theatrical mystery.
6. Ms America and the Naughtiness in New Orleans (2017)
Happy participates in the Mardi Gras festivities. When the king of a prominent Carnival krewe is murdered during a parade, Happy has to peel back the layers of jazz, Southern tradition, and secrets to solve the crime.
Standalones, Anthologies, and Companion Novellas
Dempsey has written two highly regarded standalone novels and contributed to a magical romantic anthology.
Chasing Venus (2012)
A standalone romantic suspense novel featuring Annie Rowell, a mystery writer who goes on the run after she's falsely accused of murdering a fellow author. She teams up with Reid Gardner, a former cop turned crime-show host, to clear her name.
The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft (2023)
Dempsey took a turn into historical fiction with this novel based on the life of Eliza Haycraft. Arriving penniless in St. Louis in 1844, the real-life Haycraft went on to build a real estate empire and become the city's most successful and notorious madam during the Civil War era. The book has won several indie book awards for its rich historical detail and strong voice.
Ring of Truth (2014) and A Diva Wears the Ring (2015)
In 2014, Dempsey collaborated with Ciji Ware and Kate Moore on Ring of Truth, an anthology centered around a magical Irish Claddagh ring. Dempsey's contribution to the collection, A Diva Wears the Ring, follows opera singer Veronica Ballard as she discovers the ring's magic. The story was later released as a standalone e-book in 2015.
What to Know Before You Start
While the Celestial Trilogy can be read in any order, the Beauty Queen Mysteries have a recurring cast of side characters, romantic interests, and running jokes that build upon previous installments. To fully appreciate Happy Pennington’s growth and the ongoing romantic tension, stick to publication order for the mystery series. If you want a quick taste of Dempsey’s writing without committing to a series, Chasing Venus serves as an excellent, self-contained starting point that showcases her signature blend of romance and suspense.