Elizabeth E.X. Ferrars Books in Order

Recommended Reading Paths: Where to Start

With over 70 novels spanning more than five decades, the bibliography of Elizabeth E.X. Ferrars (born Morna Doris MacTaggart) can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Known as Elizabeth Ferrars in the UK and E.X. Ferrars in the US, she was a master of the classic British cozy mystery, infusing her stories with psychological depth, sharp domestic observations, and intricate puzzles. Fortunately, her work is highly accessible, and almost all of her books can be enjoyed as standalones. Depending on your preferences, there are three ideal entry points into her literary world.

For Fans of Golden Age Detective Duos: The Toby Dyke Series

If you love classic 1940s detective fiction with a touch of banter and grit, start with her debut novel, Give a Corpse a Bad Name (1940). This book introduces Toby Dyke, a freelance journalist with a knack for stepping into trouble, and his enigmatic, slightly shady companion George. Across five novels, the duo unravels complex puzzles with a charm that perfectly captures the post-Golden Age of British crime writing.

For Lovers of Domestic Drama: The Virginia and Felix Freer Series

For a more modern, character-driven mystery experience, start with Last Will and Testament (1978). This kicks off the eight-book Virginia and Felix Freer series, which centers on a semi-estranged married couple. Virginia is a practical physiotherapist, while Felix is a charming, compulsive liar and petty thief who keeps drifting back into her life. Their domestic tension and mutual skepticism provide a brilliant backdrop to the murders they repeatedly find themselves solving together.

For Cozy Academic Mystery Enthusiasts: The Andrew Basnett Series

If you prefer a gentler, academic pace, begin with Something Wicked (1983). This series stars Andrew Basnett, a retired botany professor who frequently gets pulled into murder investigations during his travels or visits with friends. Basnett’s scholarly wit and understated intelligence make him an incredibly endearing amateur sleuth, and the series represents Ferrars at the height of her late-career plotting prowess.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Ferrars's extensive catalog, there are a few practical details to keep in mind to avoid confusion at the bookstore or library:

• Pseudonym Variations: Depending on the edition you find, the author may be listed as Elizabeth Ferrars (predominantly in the UK and Commonwealth) or E.X. Ferrars (in the US). Her American publishers added the "X" to give the name more visual punch on book covers.
• Dual Titles: Many of her early novels, particularly the Toby Dyke books, were published under different names in the UK and the US. For example, Remove the Bodies is the same book as Rehearsals for Murder. Always check the alternative titles before buying to avoid purchasing duplicate copies under different names.
• Standalone Supremacy: While her recurring sleuths are beloved, the vast majority of Ferrars's output consists of standalone mystery novels. You can read these in absolutely any order. Standalones like I, Said the Fly (1945) are highly regarded for their claustrophobic suspense and psychological nuance.

The Major Series & Reading Lists

The Toby Dyke Series

Toby Dyke's mysteries should ideally be read in publication order to track his evolving relationship with George, though each mystery is self-contained. Note the alternative US titles listed below:

1. Give a Corpse a Bad Name (1940)
2. Remove The Bodies (1940) — Also published as Rehearsals for Murder
3. Death in Botanist's Bay (1941) — Also published as Murder of a Suicide
4. Don't Monkey with Murder (1942) — Also published as The Shape of a Stain
5. Neck in a Noose (1942) — Also published as Your Neck in a Noose

The Virginia and Felix Freer Series

Because the emotional core of this series relies on the ongoing separation, reconciliation, and evolution of Virginia and Felix's marriage, it is highly recommended to read these books in strict publication order:

1. Last Will and Testament (1978)
2. Frog in the Throat (1980)
3. Thinner Than Water (1981)
4. Death of a Minor Character (1983)
5. I Met Murder (1985)
6. Woman Slaughter (1989)
7. Sleep of the Unjust (1990)
8. Beware of the Dog (1992)

The Andrew Basnett Series

Andrew Basnett's investigations are episodic and can be read in any sequence, though publication order remains the most satisfying way to follow the retired botanist's post-academic adventures:

1. Something Wicked (1983)
2. Root of All Evil (1984)
3. The Crime and the Crystal (1985)
4. The Other Devil's Name (1987)
5. A Murder Too Many (1988)
6. Smoke Without Fire (1990)
7. A Hobby of Murder (1994)
8. A Choice of Evils (1995)

The Police and Inspector Series

Ferrars also created two minor police series featuring recurring investigators. These books function primarily as standalones that share a common investigator, meaning strict reading order is not critical.

Superintendent Ditteridge Books

1. A Stranger and Afraid (1971)
2. Breath of Suspicion (1972)
3. Foot in the Grave (1972)
4. Alive and Dead (1974)
5. Blood Flies Upwards (1992) — Note: While originally published in 1976 in the UK, many modern checklists list it by its later US publication year of 1992.

Police Chief Raposo Books

1. Skeleton Staff (1969)
2. Witness Before the Fact (1979)

Publication vs. Chronological Order & Caveats

For all of Elizabeth E.X. Ferrars's works, publication order is the chronological order. She did not write prequels, meaning you do not need to navigate complex timeline shifts. However, tracking down her complete works can present a few challenges:

• Posthumous Publications: Her final standalone novel, A Thief in the Night, was published posthumously. While some modern reference lists record its release date as 2014, the manuscript was completed shortly before her death in 1995.
• Availability: Many of her mid-century standalones went out of print for decades. Thankfully, classic crime publishers and ebook revivals have made her bibliography much easier to access in recent years.
• Short Story Collections: To see her shorter puzzles, check out collections like Designs on Life (1980) or the posthumously compiled The Casebook of Jonas P. Jonas and Other Mysteries (2012), which highlights her clever short-form mysteries.