Diana J. Febry Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Journey Into Birkbury

Diana J. Febry has crafted two distinct mystery worlds that capture the charm and hidden dark side of the English countryside. For readers looking to dive in, there are two primary starting paths:

• The Police Procedural Route: Start with The Skeletons of Birkbury. This is the first book in the DCI Peter Hatherall series, which seamlessly transitions into the DI Fiona Williams spin-off series. Reading these in order allows you to watch the evolving, complex partnership and personal lives of the detectives.
• The Amateur Sleuth Route: Start with Trouble at Clenchers Mill. This kicks off the Chapman and Morris series, following the lighter, cozy adventures of Simon Chapman and Kate Morris as they untangle village secrets.

The Hatherall & Williams Shared Universe

The largest portion of Febry's bibliography belongs to a shared police procedural universe set in rural England. The books are best enjoyed in order of publication, as character relationships and overarching subplots carry over directly from one novel to the next.

Phase 1: DCI Peter Hatherall Mysteries

This series introduces the stubborn but brilliant DCI Peter Hatherall and his headstrong Detective Inspector partner, Fiona Williams. They investigate dark secrets buried beneath sleepy village facades while Hatherall deals with a crumbling marriage and personal demons.

• The Skeletons of Birkbury (2012): A fierce storm uproots an ancient tree, exposing a decades-old skeleton and sparking a cold-case investigation that rocks a quiet parish.
• Bells on her Toes (2014): Hatherall is pulled into a complex web of deceit when a local woman is found murdered, revealing scandalous secrets in a close-knit community.
• Point of No Return (2018): A high-stakes investigation that tests Hatherall's deductive limits as the team races against time to stop a cunning killer.
• Who Killed Vivien Morse? (2018): The suspicious death of a wealthy villager opens up old wounds and exposes greed among the local elite.
• Twisted Truth (2018): Journalist Megan Roach chases a dangerous scoop, crossing paths with Hatherall and Williams as a simple crime spirals out of control.
• The Paperboy (2019): The final entry centering on Hatherall before the series shifts perspectives, focusing on a dark crime that hits close to home.

Phase 2: DI Fiona Williams Mysteries

Following the events of The Paperboy, DI Fiona Williams takes center stage in her own spin-off series. Peter Hatherall remains a key supporting character and potential romantic interest, meaning fans of the original series will find plenty of continuity.

• A Fiery End (2020): Fiona witnesses a vehicle engulfed in flames with the driver still inside. The investigation becomes personal as the only witness is silenced and her boss is suspected of corruption.
• A Mother's Ruin (2021): DI Williams tackles a tragic case involving family secrets, betrayal, and a mother's desperate search for the truth.
• A Relative Death (2021): When a body is discovered in a picturesque Cotswold village, Fiona must parse through family rivalries and hidden inheritances.
• An Educated Death (2022): Set against a local school backdrop, this procedural focuses on the suspicious death of a teacher and the scandals hidden in the staff room.
• A Deadly Drop (2023): Fiona is called to a suspicious fall that points to murder, navigating a maze of lies told by the victim's closest associates.
• A Sudden Death (2024): A fast-paced investigation into a sudden, unexplained passing that threatens to tear the community apart.
• A Brutal Retribution (2024): Fiona faces a vengeful killer targeting locals, pushing her investigative skills to their limits.
• A Lethal Spark (2025): The latest entry in the series, combining complex forensics with deep psychological tension.

Chapman & Morris Cozy Mysteries

For readers who prefer amateur sleuths over police procedurals, the Chapman and Morris series offers a lighter, traditional cozy mystery style. The books follow Simon Chapman and Kate Morris as they stumble upon murders in small English hamlets.

• Trouble at Clenchers Mill (2019): Simon and Kate are introduced as they look into strange happenings and a body at a historic local mill.
• Trouble at Fatting House (2020): A suspicious death at an estate forces the duo to interview eccentric villagers and piece together a historical grudge.
• Trouble at Suncliffe Manor (2021): The sleuths look into the dark history of a grand manor house when a guest is found dead.
• Trouble in Sharcott (2023): Small-town rivalries flare up, leading to a murder that only Simon and Kate can solve.
• Trouble at Crowcombe (2024): The amateur duo is back, digging into old village rivalries to catch a clever murderer.

Standalone Novels

Diana J. Febry has also written standalone mysteries that allow her to experiment with slightly darker, psychological themes outside of her recurring series characters.

• Debts and Druids (2012): A suspenseful thriller following Bob, a desperate family man who resorts to blackmail to resolve his debts, only to find himself in way over his head.
• Fool Me Once (2013): A standalone mystery filled with domestic suspense, secrets, and betrayal.
• Each to Their Own (2014): A gripping tale of a man named Dan who investigates the suspicious death of his ex-wife's daughter, refusing to believe it was a simple accident.
• Elephant in the Room (2013): The story of Penny Jackson, who tries to rebuild her life only to get caught up in a web of dark family secrets.

What to Know Before You Start

Diana J. Febry's writing is deeply rooted in the English countryside, particularly the Cotswolds where she lives. Because of her background working with horses on the Badminton Estate, equestrian settings and themes frequently appear throughout her books. While the individual mystery plots in both the Hatherall/Williams and Chapman/Morris series are self-contained and resolved by the end of each book, the character dynamics, romantic tensions, and personal struggles progress chronologically. For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read both main series in their publication order.