How to Read Emilia Bernhard's Books
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read Emilia Bernhard's books in publication order. Because the series follows a consistent pair of protagonists, their personal lives, their relationship with local Parisian law enforcement, and their familiarity with the city's quirks develop incrementally from one book to the next.
A Death in Paris Series in Publication Order
The series consists of three main novels, all published by Crooked Lane Books. They focus on Rachel Levis and Magda Stevens, two American expats living in Paris who repeatedly find themselves acting as amateur sleuths:
- Death in Paris (2018) – The debut novel introduces Rachel and Magda. The mystery begins when Rachel's former lover, a wealthy financier named Edgar Bowen, is found dead, face-down in a bowl of vichyssoise. Rachel and Magda must navigate the Paris cultural scene, croissants, and suspicious characters to clear Rachel's name.
- The Books of the Dead (2019) – In this second installment, Rachel finds a librarian murdered in a local cafe. This leads the amateur sleuth duo into the historic and restricted halls of the Bibliothèque Nationale. Rachel goes undercover to uncover a web of literary secrets and academic rivalries.
- Designs on the Dead (2021) – The third book shifts the spotlight to the glamorous yet competitive world of Parisian high fashion. When renowned designer Roland Guipure apparently overdoses, Rachel and Magda suspect foul play and delve into the cutthroat secrets of the design houses.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
There are no prequels or spin-offs in this series, meaning the chronological order is identical to the publication order. The narrative moves forward continuously in time, starting with the initial murder of Edgar Bowen in the first book, transitioning into the library-focused mystery of the second, and culminating in the fashion house intrigue of the third book. Readers should follow the numerical order of release to preserve the natural flow of the timeline.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Bernhard's mysteries, readers should keep a few stylistic elements in mind:
- Amateur Sleuth Focus: The stories are heavily character-driven, highlighting the strong bond of female friendship between Rachel and Magda. Unlike some darker crime novels, these mysteries emphasize wit, clever clue-finding, and dialogue.
- Low Violence and Romance: Keeping to traditional cozy mystery standards, Bernhard downplays graphic violence and does not place a heavy focus on romance, prioritizing the intellectual puzzle and the Parisian atmosphere instead.
- A Love Letter to Paris: The setting functions as its own character. The books are filled with rich, authentic descriptions of Parisian cafes, bookstores, and boutiques, complete with a glossary of French terms to help readers fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
Reader Advice and Standalone Potential
Can these books be read as standalones? Yes. Each novel features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final chapter. If you happen to pick up The Books of the Dead or Designs on the Dead first, you will not find yourself lost regarding the main plot. However, you will miss out on the introductory context of how Rachel and Magda first teamed up and how they established their reputations as amateur investigators with the local police, making the first book the absolute best place to start.