Where to Start Reading Diane A.S. Stuckart's Books
Diane A.S. Stuckart is a master of genre-crossing storytelling, having published under her own name as well as several popular pseudonyms: Ali Brandon, Anna Gerard, and Alexa Smart. Because her books span different eras, tones, and subgenres, your ideal starting point depends on what you enjoy most:
- For Lovers of Animal Cozies: Start with the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series, written under her pen name Ali Brandon. The first book is Double-Booked for Death (2011). It features a smart bookstore owner and her sassy, sleuthing cat, Hamlet.
- For Historical Mystery Buffs: Begin with her award-winning Leonardo da Vinci Mystery series, published under her real name. The series opens with The Queen's Gambit (2008), combining detailed Renaissance history with engaging whodunits.
- For Fans of Classic Cozy Tropes: Pick up the Georgia B&B Mystery series, written under the name Anna Gerard. The trilogy starts with Peach Clobbered (2019) and follows a divorcee trying to run a historic bed-and-breakfast.
- For Magical and Paranormal Cozies: Try the Tarot Cats Mystery series with its lone entry, Fool's Moon (2018), featuring a West Palm Beach tarot reader and her intuitive felines.
The Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries (Writing as Ali Brandon)
Writing under the pseudonym Ali Brandon, Stuckart crafted one of her most successful series. Set in a cozy bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, the series stars Darla Pettistone, who inherits her late great-aunt's bookstore—along with its resident oversized black cat, Hamlet. Darla quickly discovers that Hamlet has a sharp mind for solving local homicides. Because the relationship between Darla and Hamlet grows, and secondary characters develop significantly across the books, you should read this series in strict publication order.
Recommended Reading Order for Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries
- Double-Booked for Death (2011)
- A Novel Way to Die (2012)
- Words With Fiends (2013)
- Literally Murder (2014)
- Plot Boiler (2015)
- Twice Told Tail (2016)
The Leonardo da Vinci Mysteries (Writing as Diane A.S. Stuckart)
If you prefer historical settings rich in detail, this series brings 15th-century Milan to life. The books follow the brilliant inventor Leonardo da Vinci and his young apprentice, Dino. However, there is a twist: Dino is actually a young woman named Delfina in disguise, seeking to escape an arranged marriage and study under the master. Together, the duo assists the Duke of Milan in solving complex political murders. Reading these books in order is highly recommended to follow Delfina's secret identity struggles and her evolving partnership with Leonardo.
Recommended Reading Order for Leonardo da Vinci Mysteries
- The Queen's Gambit (2008)
- Portrait of a Lady (2009)
- A Bolt from the Blue (2010)
The Georgia B&B Mysteries (Writing as Anna Gerard)
Writing as Anna Gerard, Stuckart created a lighthearted cozy mystery trilogy set in the fictional town of Cymbeline, Georgia. The protagonist, Nina Fleet, uses her divorce settlement to buy a stunning Queen Anne mansion and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. However, dead bodies, quirky guests, and local town politics keep getting in the way of her hospitality dreams. This series is a quick, charming read that should be read in order.
Recommended Reading Order for Georgia B&B Mysteries
- Peach Clobbered (2019)
- Peachy Scream (2020)
- Peaches and Schemes (2021)
The Tarot Cats Mysteries (Writing as Diane A.S. Stuckart)
This series blends cozy mystery elements with a touch of the paranormal. The story follows Ruby Sparks, a West Palm Beach botanica shop employee and tarot card reader, along with her two extraordinary black cats, Brandon and Ophelia. Only one novel was published in this series, making it a quick standalone read for animal mystery lovers.
Recommended Reading Order for Tarot Cats Mysteries
- Fool's Moon (2018)
Historical Romances (Writing as Alexa Smart and Anna Gerard)
Before establishing herself in the mystery genre, Stuckart began her publishing career in the 1990s writing historical romances under the pen name Alexa Smart. These books feature gothic thrills, passionate heroines, and lush settings. They are entirely standalone and can be read in any order. Later, she also published the historical romance Desert Hearts under the Anna Gerard name.
Alexa Smart and Romance Titles by Publication Year
- Masquerade (1994) – As Alexa Smart
- Shadows of the Heart (1995) – As Alexa Smart
- A Touch of Paradise (1996) – As Alexa Smart
- Roses at Midnight (1997) – As Alexa Smart
- Desert Hearts (1999) – As Anna Gerard
Standalone Novels, Collections, and Anthologies
For readers looking for short stories or unique standalone tales, Stuckart has published several independent pieces under her own name, including fantasy stories and anthologies.
- A Constellation of Cats (2001) – Anthology contribution
- Who's Behind The Door? (2012) – A collection of short stories spanning mystery and fantasy.
- Poseidon's Daughter (2012) – Standalone fantasy/romance novel.
- Heart's Kiss: Issue 5 (2017) – Anthology contribution
What to Know Before You Start
When searching for Diane A.S. Stuckart's books, the most important thing to keep in mind is her use of pseudonyms. If you look only under her real name, you will miss out on the fan-favorite Black Cat Bookshop and Georgia B&B mysteries. While her historical romances as Alexa Smart can be difficult to find in print today, her cozy mysteries remain widely available. Although each individual mystery in her series is resolved by the end of the book, the emotional beats, recurring characters, and romantic subplots build directly from one book to the next, so starting at the beginning of each series is highly recommended.