Elizabeth Adler Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Journey with Elizabeth Adler

Elizabeth Adler’s novels are famous for sweeping readers away to gorgeous, luxury locations where rich dynasties, dark secrets, and passionate romances collide. With a bibliography spanning historical family dramas, contemporary romantic suspense, and a beloved cozy-thriller series, it can be hard to know where to start. We recommend choosing your entry point based on your favorite reading style:

• For Mystery and Glamorous Travel Fans: Start with the Mac Reilly Series. Beginning with One of Those Malibu Nights, this series is a fun, lighthearted suspense ride that takes you from California beaches to the most exclusive ports of Europe.
• For Historical Dynasty and Drama Lovers: Start with the de Courmont Saga. Her debut novel Leonie (also published as Private Desires) and its direct sequel Peach offer a glittering, multigenerational look at wealth, passion, and ambition.
• For Sun-Drenched Romantic Standalones: Dive right into Summer in Tuscany or The Hotel Riviera. These are perfect, self-contained vacation reads that capture the sights, scents, and flavors of the Mediterranean.

The de Courmont Family Saga

Though known primarily for standalone novels, Elizabeth Adler launched her career with a captivating two-book historical family saga. These books follow the rise of the wealthy de Courmont dynasty and must be read in chronological order to appreciate the generational character arcs.

1. Leonie / Private Desires (1985): Adler's debut novel introduces Leonie, a young woman who escapes a difficult life to rise to international fame in the music halls of Paris, establishing the roots of the powerful de Courmont family.
2. Peach (1986): This direct sequel follows Leonie’s granddaughter and heiress, Peach de Courmont. The story details her fiery relationship with the self-made Noel Maddox, family rivalries, and high-stakes corporate power plays.

The Mac Reilly Series Reading Order

The Mac Reilly novels represent Elizabeth Adler’s only major recurring series. The books follow Mac Reilly, a charming private investigator based in Malibu, and his partner-in-crime Sunny Alvarez (along with their faithful dog, Pirate). Together, they travel the world solving high-society crimes. You should read these in order of publication to follow the evolution of Mac and Sunny's relationship:

1. One of Those Malibu Nights (2008): Mac Reilly is drawn into a web of kidnapping, stolen money, and murder that stretches from the shores of Southern California to Mexico.
2. There's Something about St. Tropez (2009): A mystery surrounding a rented villa brings Mac and Sunny to the French Riviera, where they uncover a cast of guests who are not who they claim to be.
3. It All Began in Monte Carlo (2010): Sunny’s old friend is accused of a high-profile crime, sending the investigative duo to Monaco to clear her name amidst high-stakes secrets.
4. From Barcelona, with Love (2011): A classic case of an heiress in hiding leads Mac and Sunny on a chase through the beautiful streets and vibrant culture of Barcelona.

Chronological Guide to the Standalone Novels

The vast majority of Elizabeth Adler’s books are standalones. They can be read in any order, but looking at them chronologically shows how her style shifted from sweeping, multi-decade historical romances in the 1980s and 1990s to contemporary romantic suspense and European travel mysteries in the 2000s and beyond.

• Indiscretions (1986): A dramatic tale of family secrets and hidden identity, originally published under Adler's early pen name, Ariana Scott.
• Fleeting Images (1987): Set in the high-fashion modeling world of New York and Paris, also written under the Ariana Scott pseudonym.
• The Rich Shall Inherit (1989): A sweeping mystery tracking down the rightful heir to a massive estate across Europe and America.
• All or Nothing (1989): A story of second chances, betrayal, and passion that ranges from London to the Italian coast.
• The Property of a Lady (1990): The discovery of an exquisite jade collection triggers a search for a mysterious Russian noblewoman.
• Fortune is a Woman (1992): Set in San Francisco following the great earthquake of 1906, tracking three lives linked by fate and fortune.
• Present Of The Past (1993): A deeply emotional story exploring how the secrets of previous generations echo into the present.
• Legacy of Secrets (1993): Focuses on the dramatic, multi-generational history of the Lily Molyneux family, filled with secrets and forbidden love.
• The Secret of the Villa Mimosa (1994): An amnesiac woman is rescued from a ravine in France and must piece together her past while hiding from a killer.
• The Heiresses (1995): A glamorous, fast-paced thriller about the mysterious death of an incredibly wealthy woman and the suspects left behind.
• Now or Never (1996): A gripping suspense novel where a Boston detective hunts a serial killer while falling for a woman who might be the next target.
• No Regrets (1997): Three women are joined by a tragic event and must confront a dangerous figure from their past in order to move forward.
• Sooner or Later (1997): A tense thriller following a woman determined to protect her daughter from a threat, leading to a suspenseful chase.
• In a Heartbeat (2000): A fast-paced mystery of murder, hidden identities, and romance set against the backdrop of the American South.
• The Last Time I Saw Paris (2001): A woman discovers her husband's betrayal and flees to Paris, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and new love.
• Summer in Tuscany (2002): An enchanting escape following a reconstructed villa, hidden family histories, and unexpected romance in the Italian hills.
• The Hotel Riviera (2003): An eclectic group of guests at a beautiful French Riviera hotel find their lives, secrets, and hearts intertwined.
• Invitation to Provence (2004): A comforting, atmospheric story of family reconciliation, beautiful scenery, and culinary delights in Southern France.
• The House in Amalfi (2005): A widow seeks refuge and a fresh start on the stunning Amalfi Coast, only to uncover local mysteries.
• Sailing to Capri (2006): A clever mystery structured like a modern whodunit, where a group of guests on a yacht cruise are all suspects in a crime.
• Meet Me in Venice (2007): Cozy canal-side settings frame a story of long-lost siblings, art theft, and romantic suspense.
• A Place in the Country (2012): A lovely departure focusing on a rustic retreat, home renovation, and rebuilding a life after loss.
• Please Don't Tell (2013): A darker, contemporary thriller where a woman must piece together the truth about a brutal assault in her past.
• Last to Know (2014): A domestic thriller about a woman who realizes her seemingly perfect husband has a dark and dangerous hidden life.
• One Way or Another (2015): A globetrotting suspense novel following an elaborate game of cat-and-mouse between an investigator and a criminal.
• The Charmers (2016): Set in sunny St. Tropez, this romantic mystery follows a woman who gets tangled up with a charismatic art thief.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Elizabeth Adler's world, keep a few helpful details in mind to enrich your reading experience:

• Pseudonym Clarification: Early in her career, Adler wrote under the pen name Ariana Scott (publishing Indiscretions and Fleeting Images). Some online book databases mistakenly list a third title, Top Model, under this name. This is actually a database error; the plot of Fleeting Images revolves around a modeling agency named "IMAGES" and a former top model, which led to the confusion.
• The Missing Book: You may see listings for a novel titled Better Than Revenge with a publication date of 2021 or 2023. This book was scheduled for release but was ultimately cancelled or indefinitely delayed. It is not currently available to the public.
• Real-Life Inspiration: Adler’s husband, Richard, heavily inspired the charming, supportive, and travels-loving personalities of her romantic male leads. Furthermore, Adler’s own extensive experience living in England, France, Brazil, Ireland, and California is the source of the rich, detailed descriptions of food and travel that make her settings feel like a real vacation.