Where to Start with Elizabeth C. Bunce
For most readers, the absolute best place to start is with Premeditated Myrtle, the first book in the acclaimed Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series. This novel serves as the perfect introduction to Bunce's signature style: incredibly smart heroines, rich historical research, witty prose, and a slightly macabre sense of humor. If you prefer high fantasy with a gothic edge or a classic fairy tale retelling, her award-winning debut standalone, A Curse Dark as Gold, is another superb entry point.
The Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries
Set in 1893 in the quiet English village of Swinburne, this middle-grade historical mystery series follows twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle. Myrtle is not your typical Victorian young lady; she is obsessed with criminology, forensic science, toxicology, and the legal system. Alongside her patient governess, Miss Ada Judson, and her loyal cat, Peony, Myrtle manages to unravel complex crimes that baffle local authorities.
While each book features a self-contained case, it is highly recommended to read this series in publication order. The overarching character development, the evolving dynamics between Myrtle and her father (the town coroner), and her relationship with Miss Judson build directly from one book to the next.
- Premeditated Myrtle (2020): Myrtle investigates the suspicious death of her wealthy neighbor, discovering a web of local secrets, gardening tips, and lethal poisons.
- How to Get Away with Myrtle (2020): Sent to the seaside resort of Leas Cove to rest, Myrtle immediately stumbles into a jewel theft and a murder on the train, forcing her to investigate during her holiday.
- Cold-Blooded Myrtle (2021): Back in Swinburne, a shopkeeper's murder on the eve of the Christmas season reveals a historic, decades-old conspiracy, putting Myrtle's forensic knowledge to the test.
- In Myrtle Peril (2022): When a long-lost heiress returns to claim her family fortune, Myrtle's father is called to verify her identity, drawing Myrtle into a dangerous maritime mystery and family secrets.
- Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity (2023): Myrtle travels to a grand country estate, only to find herself investigating the murder of a controversial local landowner amidst family drama and treasure hunting.
The Thief Errant Series
Before launching her Victorian mystery series, Bunce wrote the Thief Errant fantasy duology. Set in the complex, politically charged fantasy realm of Llyvraneth, these books are aimed at a young adult audience and feature high-stakes political intrigue, thieves, and magic. They must be read in order:
- StarCrossed (2010): Introduces Celyn Contrare (known as Digger), a quick-witted thief and spy who finds herself trapped in a mountain sanctuary, posing as a lady's maid while navigating a deadly web of treason and magic.
- Liar's Moon (2011): Digger returns to the city of Gerse, only to get caught up in a conspiracy involving the murder of a high-society figure, forcing her to use all her rogue skills to clear a friend's name.
Standalone Novels and Short Stories
Bunce's standalone works showcase her ability to blend historical realism with speculative elements:
- A Curse Dark as Gold (2008): Bunce's debut novel is a dark, atmospheric retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin myth. Set in a struggling wool mill during the early days of the Industrial Revolution, it follows Charlotte Miller as she tries to save her family's mill from a generations-old curse and a mysterious man who offers to spin gold.
- "In for a Penny" (2010): A spooky short story contributed to the horror anthology Bones: Terrifying Tales to Haunt Your Dreams (edited by Lois Metzger). It follows a young girl who discovers a severed "hand of glory" that seeks to reunite with the rest of its body.
What to Know Before You Start
Whether she is writing about the Industrial Revolution, high fantasy kingdoms, or Victorian forensic science, Bunce's books are defined by their incredibly thorough historical grounding. As an avid maker of historical costumes and needlework, Bunce imports a deep respect for historical details, textures, and technologies into her writing. Readers should expect smart, self-reliant female protagonists who use their intellect, observation skills, and refusal to conform to societal expectations to solve their problems.