Dorothy Howell Books in Order

Where to Start with Dorothy Howell

Dorothy Howell has built a stellar reputation as a master of lighthearted, humorous cozy mysteries. However, because she also writes historical romance under the pen name Judith Stacy and has contributed to several multi-author series, new readers often wonder where they should begin. Here is our practical recommendation for starting your journey:

• For Cozy Mystery Fans (The Designer Handbag Obsession): Begin with Handbags and Homicide (2008). This is the book that introduced her signature sleuth, Haley Randolph, and established Howell's trademark blend of retail fashion, quirky humor, and puzzling murder mysteries.
• For Cozy Mystery Fans (The Crafting & Small-Town Vibe): Start with Seams Like Murder (2022), the first entry in her Sewing Studio Mystery series. It offers a slightly different, warmer small-town community setting while keeping the fun, fast-paced investigation style.
• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with her award-nominated standalone novel Outlaw Love (1997), written under her Judith Stacy pseudonym, which offers a delightful mix of adventure, romance, and Western charm.

The Haley Randolph Mystery Series

This is Dorothy Howell's most famous and longest-running series. The stories follow Haley Randolph, a 24-year-old fashionista working at Holt’s Department Store in Los Angeles. Haley's obsession with high-end designer handbags constantly drives her into financial trouble, which somehow always leads to her stumbling over dead bodies. To clear her name and find the real killers, Haley must use her sharp wit and fashion sense to solve the crimes.

While each mystery can technically stand on its own, it is highly recommended to read this series in order of publication. This allows you to watch Haley’s career, relationships, and purse collection evolve naturally over time. Novellas are best read in their chronological slots between the full-length novels.

Haley Randolph Books in Reading Order:

1. Handbags and Homicide (2008)
2. Purses and Poison (2009)
3. Shoulder Bags and Shootings (2010)
4. Clutches and Curses (2011)
5. Slay Bells and Satchels (Novella, 2011) – A holiday-themed case that takes place after Clutches and Curses.
6. Tote Bags and Toe Tags (2012)
7. Evening Bags and Executions (2013)
8. Duffel Bags and Drownings (Novella, 2014) – Best read after Evening Bags and Executions.
9. Beach Bags and Burglaries (2014)
10. Fanny Packs and Foul Play (Novella, 2014) – Best read after Beach Bags and Burglaries.
11. Swag Bags and Swindlers (2015)
12. Backpacks and Betrayals (Novella, 2016) – Best read after Swag Bags and Swindlers.
13. Pocketbooks and Pistols (2016)
14. Messenger Bags and Murder (2018)
15. Man Bags and Malice (2019)
16. Haley and the Holt's Interview (Novella, 2025) – A prequel story that explores how Haley originally secured her retail job.

The Sewing Studio Mystery Series

In this cozy mystery series, Howell shifts her focus to Hideaway Grove. The series stars Abbey Chandler, a young woman who returns to her aunt's bakery to open her dream sewing studio in the back. Abbey soon finds that sewing patterns aren't the only things she has to piece together when murders begin to shake the town. This series should be read in chronological order to follow the evolving community dynamics and Abbey's personal life.

Sewing Studio Mysteries in Reading Order:

1. Seams Like Murder (2022)
2. Hanging by a Thread (2023)
3. Shear Terror (2024)

The Hollis Brannigan Mystery Series

This series stars Hollis Brannigan, a personal shopper who moves from Kansas to L.A. with dreams of working in the investigations department of a prestigious concierge service. While waiting for her big break, she takes on discreet investigations for clients, which inevitably embroils her in high-society Hollywood murder cases. This series is a perfect fit for fans of the Haley Randolph books who want a similar glamorous, lighthearted West Coast setting.

Hollis Brannigan Mysteries in Reading Order:

1. Shop Til You Drop Dead (2020)
2. Bargains To Die For (2022)

The Dana MacKenzie Mystery Series

For readers looking for a slightly different kind of amateur sleuth, the Dana MacKenzie series features a forensic accountant. Instead of designer fashion, Dana deals with financial records, white-collar crimes, and dangerous conspiracies. It has a slightly more analytical tone while retaining Howell's signature readable style.

Dana MacKenzie Mysteries in Reading Order:

1. Fatal Debt (2013)
2. Fatal Luck (2014)
3. Fatal Choice (2015)

Historical Romances (Written as Judith Stacy)

Under the pen name Judith Stacy, Dorothy Howell has written dozens of historical romance novels, primarily set in the American West during the late 19th century. These books are known for their strong-willed heroines, charming heroes, and warm humor. Unlike her mysteries, most of these romances are standalone novels and can be read in any order.

Judith Stacy Standalone Novels:

• Outlaw Love (1997)
• The Marriage Mishap (1997)
• The Heart of a Hero (1999)
• The Dreammaker (1999)
• Written In The Heart (2000)
• The Blushing Bride (2000)
• The Last Bride in Texas (2000)
• The Widow's Little Secret (2001)
• Married By Midnight (2002)
• Maggie and the Law (2004)
• The One Month Marriage (2004)
• The Hired Husband (2005)
• Jared's Runaway Woman (2006)

Multi-Author Historical Series Contributions:

Judith Stacy also participated in popular Harlequin multi-author romance series. These series feature shared settings or themes, with each book written by a different author. You do not need to read the entire series to enjoy Judith's contributions, but they are cataloged below for completeness:

• Return to Tyler Series: Stacy contributed The Nanny (2001) as part of this continuation of the classic Tyler, Wisconsin town-focused romance novels.
• Colorado Confidential Series: Stacy contributed Cheyenne Wife (2004) as part of this multi-author historical miniseries about secret operations in Colorado.

What to Know Before You Start

Dorothy Howell's books are designed for pure entertainment and escapism. If you are preparing to dive in, keep these quick tips in mind:

• Pen Names: If you are looking for her classic Western romances, you will need to search for Judith Stacy. If you want her modern cozy whodunits, search for Dorothy Howell. Her earliest standalone novel, Defiant Enchantress (1988), was published under the pen name Kit Prate.
• Reading standalone vs. in order: While the mystery puzzles are fully resolved at the end of each book, the romantic subplots, recurring friendships, and workplace growth in the Haley Randolph series develop significantly across the books. Reading out of order will spoil these character milestones.
• The Novellas: The Haley Randolph novellas are shorter, lighter reads (often holiday-themed) that bridge the gaps between the main novels. They are not strictly mandatory to understand the main plots, but they add delightful flavor and are highly recommended.