Where to Start Reading Emily Organ’s Novels
If you are new to Emily Organ’s historical mysteries, the best place to start depends on the historical era and tone you prefer. However, the most rewarding entry point is her flagship Penny Green series. Starting with Limelight introduces you to Organ's signature blend of meticulously researched history, independent female sleuths, and slow-burn character relationships. This series also serves as the perfect foundation for her crossover spin-off, the Emma Langley mysteries, which features Penny Green as a major supporting character.
For readers who prefer a lighter, more humorous tone with classic village cozy vibes, the Churchill & Pemberley series is the ideal alternative starting point. Set in 1930s Dorset, it focuses on senior amateur sleuths solving crimes with wit and cake. If you love the glamour and grit of the post-WWI era, you can dive straight into the Augusta Peel series, which features a former spy and book restorer in 1920s London.
The Victorian London Mysteries: Penny Green & Emma Langley
Emily Organ’s Victorian London is a vivid, atmospheric setting filled with foggy streets, theater politics, workhouses, and the social issues of the late 19th century. Her two Victorian series are closely connected, sharing characters and continuity.
1. The Penny Green Victorian Mysteries
Penny Green is a trailblazing female reporter working for the Daily Mercury in 1880s Fleet Street. As she chases stories, she frequently crosses paths with Inspector James Blakely of Scotland Yard. Over the course of twelve novels, their professional partnership evolves into a deep personal connection. Reading this series in publication order is highly recommended to appreciate the romance and character development. The series is complete and contains twelve main novels and one short story.
- Limelight (2017)
- The Teacher (2017) – A short mystery novella (often numbered as Book 1.5 or 0.5)
- The Rookery (2017)
- The Maid’s Secret (2017)
- The Inventor (2018)
- Curse of the Poppy (2018)
- The Bermondsey Poisoner (2018)
- An Unwelcome Guest (2019)
- Death at the Workhouse (2019)
- The Gang of St Bride's (2020)
- Murder in Ratcliffe (2021)
- The Egyptian Mystery (2021)
- The Camden Spiritualist (2022)
2. The Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries (The Crossover Spin-Off)
Launched in 2025, this series stars Emma Langley, a determined widow who discovers her deceased husband led a double life in Whitechapel. Seeking answers, Emma begins to investigate and is joined by none other than Penny Green (now Penny Blakely). Penny, seeking a distraction from domestic life, acts as a seasoned mentor and co-investigator. This series is set during and after 1888, aligning chronologically after the events of the original Penny Green series.
- The Whitechapel Widow (2025)
- The Poison Puzzle (2025)
- Murder in the Soho Graveyard (2025)
- A Death at Raven's Roost (2026)
- The Clockmaker's Murder (2026)
- The Body at Waterloo Station (Forthcoming/2026)
The Augusta Peel 1920s Mysteries
Moving forward in time, the Augusta Peel series transports readers to the post-World War I era of London. Augusta Peel is a middle-aged war widow, book restorer, and former spy. She has a quiet demeanor but a sharp intellect, which she uses to assist Detective Inspector Philip Fisher. While the historical backdrop is lighter than the gritty Victorian series, the mysteries are complex, dealing with the aftermath of the Great War, art galleries, Soho clubs, airships, and the evolving social roles of the Roaring Twenties.
- Death in Soho (2021)
- Murder in the Air (2022)
- The Bloomsbury Murder (2022)
- The Tower Bridge Murder (2023)
- Death in Westminster (2023)
- Murder on the Thames (2024)
- The Baker Street Murders (2024)
- Death in Kensington (2024)
- The Dockland Murder (2024)
- Murder in the Gallery (2025)
- The Hyde Park Murder (2025)
- Death in the Palm House (2026)
The Churchill & Pemberley Cozy Mysteries
Set in 1930s Dorset, the Churchill & Pemberley series offers a delightful shift in tone. The series features Annabel Churchill and Doris Pemberley, two spirited senior citizens living in the quaint village of Compton Poppleford. Unlike Organ's other sleuths, who have journalistic or intelligence backgrounds, Annabel and Doris are amateur detectives who rely on local gossip, sharp observations, and cake to fuel their investigations. The tone is cozy, comedic, and lighthearted, making it perfect for fans of traditional village mysteries.
- Tragedy at Piddleton Hotel (2019)
- Murder in Cold Mud (2019)
- Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage (2019) – A holiday novella
- Puzzle in Poppleford Wood (2019)
- Trouble in the Churchyard (2020)
- Wheels of Peril (2020)
- The Poisoned Peer (2021)
- Fiasco at the Jam Factory (2021)
- Disaster at the Christmas Dinner (2022)
- The Teapot Killer (2025)
- Death in the Deep End (2026)
The Runaway Girl Trilogy & Standalone Novels
Before establishing her popular mystery series, Emily Organ wrote historical drama and standalone fiction. The Runaway Girl trilogy follows a young woman navigating survival and family secrets in early 20th-century England. Her standalones showcase her early development as a storyteller.
Runaway Girl Trilogy
- Runaway Girl (2016)
- Forgotten Child (2016)
- Sins of the Father (2016)
Standalone Novels
- The Last Day (2014)
- The Outsider (2015)
Chronological vs. Publication Order: What to Know Before You Start
For all of Emily Organ’s series, publication order is the recommended reading path. Although most mysteries are self-contained cases that can technically be enjoyed on their own, the overarching character relationships and personal plotlines build from book to book. Reading them out of order will result in minor spoilers regarding characters’ marriages, promotions, and ongoing family secrets.
A key detail for fans is the timeline overlap of the Victorian books. The Penny Green series begins in the early 1880s and wraps up in the late 1880s. The Emma Langley series picks up in 1888, directly aligning with the real-life historical panic of Jack the Ripper's Whitechapel murders. Because Penny Green crosses over into Emma's story, reading the entire Penny Green series first is essential to understanding Penny's mature perspective, her relationship with Inspector James Blakely, and her transition from active Fleet Street reporter to a wife and mother looking to re-enter the sleuthing world.