Where to Start with Elizabeth J. Duncan
For readers diving into Elizabeth J. Duncan's cozy mysteries, the absolute best starting point is The Cold Light of Mourning, the award-winning debut of the Penny Brannigan series. Beginning here introduces you to the core setting of Llanelen, a fictional town in North Wales, and establishes the relationships between Penny and her friends, which evolve significantly over the course of the eleven-book series.
Alternatively, if you prefer theatrical settings and classic drama, you can start with Untimely Death, the first book in the Shakespeare in the Catskills series. Because this is a separate three-book arc set in New York, it offers a quick, self-contained mystery journey that does not overlap with the Welsh setting.
The Penny Brannigan Mystery Series in Order
This series follows Penny Brannigan, a Canadian expatriate, manicurist, and artist who has made her home in the beautiful landscapes of North Wales. Alongside her business partner and close friend Victoria Hopkirk, Penny unravels secrets hidden behind the peaceful facades of Llanelen and the surrounding Welsh countryside. The series is best read in publication order, as Penny's personal life, her relationship with Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies, and her business ventures develop continuously across the books.
- The Cold Light of Mourning (2009): Penny's debut. When a wealthy local bride disappears on her wedding day and Penny is the last to see her, she is pulled into the investigation alongside the passing of her mentor Emma Teasdale.
- A Brush with Death (2010): Penny inherits a cottage from Emma, discovering letters and an unsigned painting that link to a decades-old cold case involving a Liverpool artist who died in 1970.
- A Killer's Christmas in Wales (2011): Set during a harsh winter, the arrival of a charming American stranger ends in murder near Conwy Castle, and Penny must clear her friend Evelyn Lloyd's name.
- A Small Hill to Die On (2012): Penny discovers the shallow grave of a nineteen-year-old girl, Ashlee, near a grand hall, unearthing secrets linked to a tragedy from the town's past.
- Never Laugh As a Hearse Goes By (2013): The local landscape and community are disrupted by a murder that forces Penny to look closely at Llanelen's residents.
- Slated for Death (2015): A local business conflict escalates into a lethal crime, forcing Penny to use her observation skills to find the killer.
- Murder on the Hour (2016): Precision timing and local drama collide when a body is found, and Penny must untangle the tight schedule of suspect alibis.
- Murder Is for Keeps (2017): Old secrets and relationships come to light in Llanelen, demanding Penny's sharp attention to detail.
- The Marmalade Murders (2018): A local competition turns deadly when jealousy and high stakes lead to murder over a seemingly simple recipe.
- Remembering the Dead (2019): Memories and long-held grudges spark a new investigation that tests Penny's loyalties to the community.
- On Deadly Tides (2020): Set on the rugged shores of Anglesey, Penny investigates the suspicious death of a journalist, marking the most recent installment of the series.
Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery Series in Order
For a change of scenery, Duncan created the Shakespeare in the Catskills series. The books feature Charlotte Fairfax, a former costume mistress for the Royal Shakespeare Company, who now works for a theater troupe performing in upstate New York. Like the Welsh series, these should be read in order of publication to follow the development of the theatrical troupe and Charlotte's personal life.
- Untimely Death (2015): During a production of Romeo and Juliet at a struggling Catskills hotel, the leading lady is found poisoned and stabbed. Charlotte investigates to save her assistant from wrongful accusation.
- Ill Met by Murder (2016): Drama strikes the troupe once more as they prepare another Shakespearean classic, and Charlotte must find the killer hiding behind the theater masks.
- Much Ado About Murder (2017): The third installment brings more backstage intrigue, complex motives, and small-town secrets for Charlotte to untangle.
Chronological Caveats & Reading Advice
Unlike some thriller series that bounce back and forth in time, Elizabeth J. Duncan's books follow a straightforward chronological line that matches their publication order. While the mystery in each book is resolved by the final page, reading them out of order is not recommended because the personal relationships, especially between Penny and Gareth Davies, and the growth of the manicuring and spa businesses, build directly upon previous entries.
Furthermore, because the Shakespeare in the Catskills series was written concurrently with the mid-period Penny Brannigan books, readers can safely choose to read either series first or alternate between them. There are no crossover events or shared characters between the Welsh and Catskills universes, ensuring a completely independent experience for both.
What to Know Before You Start
Duncan's writing is highly celebrated for its sense of place. North Wales is not just a backdrop; the culture, language, and geography are central to the stories. Duncan herself has spent significant time in Wales, which shines through in the authentic feel of Llanelen. Her works have garnered critical acclaim, including the William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant for her debut and the Bony Blithe Award for her fourth novel, cementing her status as a standout voice in cozy crime fiction.