
Frances Crane Reading Order
2 series ยท 30 books ยท Born 27 October 1890
Frances Crane was an American mystery writer known for her engaging stories featuring private detectives. Active from 1941 to 1968, she authored 30 books, including two series: the Pat and Jean Abbott Mysteries and various standalone novels. Her debut work, The Turquoise Shop, set the stage for her popular series, which captivated readers with vibrant titles and intriguing plots.
Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery Series
Complete26 books (1941โ1965)
Start with The Turquoise Shop, the first of 26 books in the Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Turquoise Shop 1941Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 2 | The Golden Box 1942Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 3 | The Yellow Violet 1942Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 4 | The Applegreen Cat 1943Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 5 | The Pink Umbrella / The Pink Umbrella Murder 1943Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 6 | The Amethyst Spectacles 1944Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 7 | The Indigo Necklace / The Indigo Necklace Murders 1944Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 8 | The Cinnamon Murder 1946Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 9 | The Shocking Pink Hat 1946Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 10 | Murder on the Purple Water 1947Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 11 | Black Cypress 1948Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 12 | The Flying Red Horse 1949Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 13 | The Daffodil Blonde 1950Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 14 | Murder in Blue Street / Death in the Blue Hour 1951Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 15 | The Polkadot Murder 1951Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 16 | 13 White Tulips 1953Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 17 | Murder in Bright Red 1953Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 18 | The Coral Princess Murders 1954Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 19 | Death in Lilac Time 1955Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 20 | Horror on the Ruby X 1956Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 21 | The Ultra-Violet Widow 1956Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 22 | The Buttercup Case 1958Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 23 | The Man in Gray / The Grey Stranger 1958Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 24 | Death-Wish Green 1960Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 25 | The Amber Eyes 1962Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 26 | Body Beneath a Mandarin Tree 1965Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete4 books (1961โ1968)
Start with The Reluctant Sleuth, the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Reluctant Sleuth 1961Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 2 | Three Days in Hong Kong 1965Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 3 | A Very Quiet Murder 1966Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
| 4 | Worse Than a Crime 1968Buy ๐บ๐ธ |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Frances Crane written?
- Frances Crane has written 30 books across 2 series. Their published works span from 1941 to 1968.
- What is the first book in each Frances Crane series?
- Here are the first books in Frances Crane's series: Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery: The Turquoise Shop.
- What order should I read Frances Crane's books?
- We recommend reading Frances Crane's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are Frances Crane's series complete?
- Frances Crane has 2 completed series.

