The Recommended Reading Order
If you are diving into the historical mysteries of Emily L. Finch, the best path is clear: you should read the books in their publication order, which also serves as their strict chronological order. The central story follows the evolving partnership and romantic tension between Samantha Kingston and private investigator V.T. Wyatt. Reading the books out of order will spoil major character developments, relationship milestones, and overarching mystery subplots.
Here is the recommended reading order for the series:
- Masquerade in London (2022)
- Ghosts in the Abbey (2023)
- An Exhibition of Malice (2024)
Samantha & Wyatt Mysteries: Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Masquerade in London (2022)
The series begins in 1861 London. Samantha Kingston is an orphaned young woman who has spent six years living under the thumb of her overbearing uncle. Her life is upended when her aunt and uncle are murdered, and she is falsely accused of the crime. Forced to flee into the dangerous London streets, Samantha crosses paths with V.T. Wyatt, an aristocrat who has shunned high society to work as a private investigator. As Wyatt investigates a string of burglaries, they realize their cases are connected, leading to a partnership to clear Samantha's name and expose a conspiracy. You can find more about this debut on Goodreads.
2. Ghosts in the Abbey (2023)
Set in Derbyshire in December 1861, this second installment takes Samantha away from the London scandal to seek peace in the countryside. However, her quiet retreat is disrupted by a winter house party that reunites her with Wyatt. Despite their mutual attempts to keep their distance to prevent gossip, they are drawn back together when Samantha finds a dead body. They must work together to track down a killer who seems to have vanished into thin air. Learn more about the sequel on Fantastic Fiction.
3. An Exhibition of Malice (2024)
The story moves to London in 1862. Having received an inheritance, Samantha is determined to use her wealth for philanthropic work. However, she is targeted by "Skinny Jim," a notorious crime lord dominating London's criminal underworld. When a close friend and fellow philanthropist is found dead, Samantha suspects murder despite the police ruling it a simple robbery. She enlists Wyatt's help, dragging them both into a web of blackmail. This volume also deeply explores their relationship after Samantha previously rejected Wyatt's marriage proposal. Check out details on Goodreads.
What to Know Before You Start
Emily L. Finch writes in the cozy historical mystery subgenre, but her stories also feature realistic details of Victorian class structures, the vulnerability of women in the 19th century, and the gritty realities of London's streets. A core appeal of the series is the slow-burn romance between Samantha and Wyatt, which develops alongside the mysteries.
Readers should also note that the series is currently on an indefinite hiatus. According to the author's official updates on emilylfinch.com, changes in her personal circumstances have paused her progress on the fourth book. While the book has been temporarily shelved, Finch has assured fans that the series is not abandoned and she plans to return to it when possible.
Avoiding Author Confusion
When searching for Emily L. Finch, it is easy to run into books written by other authors with similar names. Specifically, she is not the same person as Dr. Emily Finch, an associate professor of law who writes academic textbooks such as Legal Skills and Criminal Law. Be sure to look for the middle initial 'L' to ensure you are finding the Victorian mystery series.