Reading Order List β€” Book Series Reading Order Guide

Marion Chesney Reading Order

23 series Β· 212 books

Marion Chesney, a prolific Scottish author, made her mark in the romance and mystery genres from 1979 until 2026. With an impressive collection of 212 books across 23 series, her most notable works include the beloved Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, which showcase her flair for engaging storytelling. Chesney's writing captivates readers with its blend of historical charm and enticing intrigue.

A House for the Season Series

Complete

6 books (1986–1988)

Start with Plain Jane, the first of 6 books in the A House for the Season series.

#Title
1
Cover of Plain Jane
Plain Jane
2
Cover of The Miser of Mayfair
The Miser of Mayfair
3
Cover of Rake's Progress
Rake's Progress
4
Cover of The Adventuress
The Adventuress
5
Cover of The Wicked Godmother
The Wicked Godmother
6
Cover of Rainbird's Revenge
Rainbird's Revenge

Agatha Raisin Series

Ongoing

39 books (1992–2025)

Start with The Quiche of Death, the first of 39 books in the Agatha Raisin series.

#Title
1
Cover of The Quiche of Death
The Quiche of Death
2
Cover of The Vicious Vet
The Vicious Vet
3
Cover of The Potted Gardener
The Potted Gardener
4
Cover of The Walkers of Dembley
The Walkers of Dembley
5
Cover of The Murderous Marriage
The Murderous Marriage
6
Cover of The Terrible Tourist
The Terrible Tourist
7
Cover of The Wellspring of Death
The Wellspring of Death
8
Cover of The Witch of Wyckhadden
The Witch of Wyckhadden
9
Cover of The Wizard of Evesham
The Wizard of Evesham
10
Cover of The Fairies of Fryfam
The Fairies of Fryfam
11
Cover of The Love from Hell
The Love from Hell
12
The Day the Floods Came
13
Cover of The Case of the Curious Curate
The Case of the Curious Curate
14
Cover of The Haunted House
The Haunted House
15
The Deadly Dance
16
Cover of The Perfect Paragon
The Perfect Paragon
17
Cover of Love, Lies and Liquor
Love, Lies and Liquor
18
Cover of Kissing Christmas Goodbye
Kissing Christmas Goodbye
19
Cover of A Spoonful of Poison
A Spoonful of Poison
20
Cover of There Goes the Bride
There Goes the Bride
21
22
Cover of As The Pig Turns
As The Pig Turns
23
Christmas Crumble
24
Cover of Hiss and Hers
Hiss and Hers
25
Hell's Bells
26
Cover of Something Borrowed, Someone Dead
Something Borrowed, Someone Dead
27
Cover of The Blood of an Englishman
The Blood of an Englishman
28
Agatha's First Case
29
Cover of Dishing the Dirt
Dishing the Dirt
30
Cover of Pushing up Daisies
Pushing up Daisies
31
Cover of The Witches' Tree
The Witches' Tree
32
Cover of The Dead Ringer
The Dead Ringer
33
Cover of Beating about the Bush
Beating about the Bush
34
Cover of Hot to Trot(With:R.W. Green)
Hot to Trot(With:R.W. Green)
35
Cover of Down the Hatch(With:R.W. Green)
Down the Hatch(With:R.W. Green)
36
Cover of Devil’s Delight(With:R.W. Green)
Devil’s Delight(With:R.W. Green)
37
Cover of Dead on Target(With:R.W. Green)
Dead on Target(With:R.W. Green)
38
Killing Time(With:R.W. Green)
39
Sugar and Spite(With:R.W. Green)

Anthologies Series

Likely Complete

4 books (2001–2023)

Start with The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years, the first of 4 books in the Anthologies series.

#Title
1
Cover of The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years
The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years
2
Cozy Case Files Volume 3
3
Cozy Case Files Volume 8
4
Cozy Case Files, Volume 19

Changing Fortunes Series

Complete

1 book (1983–1983)

#Title
1
Cover of The Westerby Sisters
The Westerby Sisters

Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler Series

Ongoing

22 books (2017–2025)

Start with Cozy Case Files Volume 1, the first of 22 books in the Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler series.

#Title
1
Cozy Case Files Volume 1
2
Cozy Case Files Volume 2
3
Cozy Case Files Volume 3
4
Cozy Case Files Volume 4
5
Cozy Case Files Volume 5
6
Cozy Case Files Volume 6
7
Cozy Case Files Volume 7
8
Cozy Case Files Volume 10
9
Cozy Case Files Volume 8
10
Cozy Case Files Volume 9
11
Cozy Case Files Volume 11
12
Cozy Case Files Volume 12
13
Cozy Case Files Volume 13
14
Cozy Case Files Volume 14
15
Cozy Case Files Volume 15
16
Cozy Case Files Volume 16
17
Cozy Case Files Volume 17
18
Cover of Cozy Case Files, Volume 18
Cozy Case Files, Volume 18
19
Cozy Case Files, Volume 19
20
Cozy Case Files, Volume 20
21
Cozy Case Files, Volume 22
22
Cozy Case Files, Volume 23

Daring Debutantes Series

Complete

2 books (1979–1982)

Start with Henrietta and read in order.

#Title
1
2

Edwardian Candlelight Series

Complete

13 books (1979–1988)

Start with Daisy, the first of 13 books in the Edwardian Candlelight series.

Edwardian Murder Mysteries Series

Complete

4 books (2003–2006)

Start with Snobbery with Violence, the first of 4 books in the Edwardian Murder Mysteries series.

#Title
1
Cover of Snobbery with Violence
Snobbery with Violence
2
Cover of Hasty Death
Hasty Death
3
Cover of Sick of Shadows
Sick of Shadows
4
Cover of Our Lady of Pain
Our Lady of Pain

Hamish Macbeth Series

Ongoing

41 books (1985–2026)

Start with Death of a Gossip, the first of 41 books in the Hamish Macbeth series.

#Title
1
Cover of Death of a Gossip
Death of a Gossip
2
Cover of Death of a Cad
Death of a Cad
3
Cover of Death of an Outsider
Death of an Outsider
4
Cover of Death of a Perfect Wife
Death of a Perfect Wife
5
Cover of Death of a Hussy
Death of a Hussy
6
Cover of Death of a Prankster
Death of a Prankster
7
Cover of Death of a Snob
Death of a Snob
8
Cover of Death of a Glutton / Death of a Greedy Woman
Death of a Glutton / Death of a Greedy Woman
9
Cover of Death of a Travelling Man
Death of a Travelling Man
10
Cover of Death of a Charming Man
Death of a Charming Man
11
Cover of Death of a Nag
Death of a Nag
12
Cover of Death of a Macho Man
Death of a Macho Man
13
Cover of Death of a Dentist
Death of a Dentist
14
Cover of Death of a Scriptwriter
Death of a Scriptwriter
15
Cover of A Highland Christmas
A Highland Christmas
16
Cover of Death of an Addict
Death of an Addict
17
Cover of Death of a Dustman
Death of a Dustman
18
Cover of Death of a Celebrity
Death of a Celebrity
19
Cover of Death of a Village
Death of a Village
20
Cover of Death of a Poison Pen
Death of a Poison Pen
21
Cover of Death of a Bore
Death of a Bore
22
Cover of Death of a Dreamer
Death of a Dreamer
23
Cover of Death of a Maid
Death of a Maid
24
Cover of Death of a Gentle Lady
Death of a Gentle Lady
25
Cover of Death of a Valentine
Death of a Valentine
26
Cover of Death of a Witch
Death of a Witch
27
Cover of Death of a Chimney Sweep / Death of a Sweep
Death of a Chimney Sweep / Death of a Sweep
28
Cover of Death of a Kingfisher
Death of a Kingfisher
29
Cover of Death of Yesterday
Death of Yesterday
30
Cover of Death of a Policeman
Death of a Policeman
31
Cover of Death of a Liar
Death of a Liar
32
Cover of Death of a Nurse
Death of a Nurse
33
Knock, Knock, You're Dead!
34
Cover of Death of a Ghost
Death of a Ghost
35
Cover of Death of an Honest Man
Death of an Honest Man
36
Cover of Death of a Green-Eyed Monster / Death of a Love(With:R.W. Green)
Death of a Green-Eyed Monster / Death of a Love(With:R.W. Green)
37
Death of a Laird(With:R.W. Green)
38
Cover of Death of a Traitor(With:R.W. Green)
Death of a Traitor(With:R.W. Green)
39
Death of a Spy(With:R.W. Green)
40
Death of a Smuggler(With:R.W. Green)
41
Death of a Groom(With:R.W. Green)

Ladies in Love Series

Complete

1 book (2015–2015)

#Title
1

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

1 book (2010–2010)

#Title
1
Cover of The Agatha Raisin Companion(As: M.C. Beaton)
The Agatha Raisin Companion(As: M.C. Beaton)

Poor Relation Series

Complete

6 books (1992–1994)

Start with Lady Fortescue Steps Out, the first of 6 books in the Poor Relation series.

#Title
1
Cover of Lady Fortescue Steps Out
Lady Fortescue Steps Out
2
Cover of Miss Tonks Turns to Crime
Miss Tonks Turns to Crime
3
Cover of Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace
Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace
4
Cover of Sir Philip's Folly
Sir Philip's Folly
5
Cover of Back in Society
Back in Society
6
Cover of Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue
Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue

Regency Candlelight Series

Complete

3 books (1979–1980)

Start with Henrietta and read in order.

#Title
1
2
3

Regency Flame Series

Complete

9 books (1980–1993)

Start with Regency Gold, the first of 9 books in the Regency Flame series.

#Title
1
Cover of Regency Gold
Regency Gold
2
Cover of The French Affair
The French Affair
3
Cover of Those Endearing Young Charms
Those Endearing Young Charms
4
Cover of To Dream of Love
To Dream of Love
5
Cover of Lessons in Love
Lessons in Love
6
Cover of Miss Fiona's Fancy
Miss Fiona's Fancy
7
A Governess of Distinction
8
Cover of Marriage of Inconvenience
Marriage of Inconvenience
9
Cover of The Glitter And The Gold
The Glitter And The Gold

Regency Intrigue Series

Complete

1 book (1985–1985)

#Title
1

Regency Intrigue / Season Series

Complete

9 books (1980–1993)

Start with Constant Companion, the first of 9 books in the Regency Intrigue / Season series.

#Title
1
Cover of Constant Companion
Constant Companion
2
3
Cover of Sweet Masquerade
Sweet Masquerade
4
The Education of Miss Patterson
5
Cover of The Original Miss Honeyford
The Original Miss Honeyford
6
Cover of At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple
At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple
7
Cover of Dancing on the Wind(As: Sarah Chester)
Dancing on the Wind(As: Sarah Chester)
8
Cover of The Perfect Gentleman
The Perfect Gentleman
9
Cover of Miss Davenport's Christmas
Miss Davenport's Christmas

Regency Royal Series

Complete

20 books (1980–1996)

Start with Lady Margery's Intrigue, the first of 20 books in the Regency Royal series.

#Title
1
Cover of Lady Margery's Intrigue
Lady Margery's Intrigue
2
Cover of The Marquis Takes a Bride
The Marquis Takes a Bride
3
Cover of The Ghost and Lady Alice
The Ghost and Lady Alice
4
Cover of The Highland Countess
The Highland Countess
5
Duke's Diamonds
6
Cover of Love and Lady Lovelace
Love and Lady Lovelace
7
Cover of The Westerby Inheritance
The Westerby Inheritance
8
Cover of Lady Lucy's Lover
Lady Lucy's Lover
9
The Viscount's Revenge
10
Cover of Lady Anne's Deception
Lady Anne's Deception
11
Cover of Milady in Love
Milady in Love
12
Cover of My Dear Duchess
My Dear Duchess
13
Cover of The Paper Princess
The Paper Princess
14
Cover of The Savage Marquess
The Savage Marquess
15
Cover of The Scandalous Marriage
The Scandalous Marriage
16
Cover of The Desirable Duchess
The Desirable Duchess
17
Cover of The Dreadful Debutante
The Dreadful Debutante
18
Cover of The Sins of Lady Dacey
The Sins of Lady Dacey
19
Cover of The Chocolate Debutante
The Chocolate Debutante
20
Cover of The Loves of Lord Granton
The Loves of Lord Granton

Regency Scandal Series

Complete

3 books (1990–1991)

Start with The Scandalous Lady Wright and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Scandalous Lady Wright
The Scandalous Lady Wright
2
Cover of Her Grace's Passion
Her Grace's Passion
3
Cover of His Lordship's Pleasure
His Lordship's Pleasure

The Daughters of Mannerling Series

Complete

6 books (1995–1997)

Start with The Banishment, the first of 6 books in the The Daughters of Mannerling series.

#Title
1
Cover of The Banishment
The Banishment
2
Cover of The Intrigue
The Intrigue
3
Cover of The Deception
The Deception
4
5
Cover of The Homecoming
The Homecoming
6
Cover of The Romance
The Romance

The School For Manners Series

Complete

6 books (1988–1990)

Start with Refining Felicity, the first of 6 books in the The School For Manners series.

#Title
1
Cover of Refining Felicity
Refining Felicity
2
Cover of Enlightening Delilah
Enlightening Delilah
3
Cover of Finessing Clarissa
Finessing Clarissa
4
Cover of Perfecting Fiona
Perfecting Fiona
5
Cover of Animating Maria
Animating Maria
6
Cover of Marrying Harriet
Marrying Harriet

The Six Sisters Series

Complete

6 books (1982–1985)

Start with Minerva, the first of 6 books in the The Six Sisters series.

#Title
1
2
Cover of Deirdre and Desire
Deirdre and Desire
3
Cover of The Taming of Annabelle
The Taming of Annabelle
4
5
Cover of Diana The Huntress
Diana The Huntress
6
Cover of Frederica in Fashion
Frederica in Fashion

The Traveling Matchmaker Series

Complete

6 books (1990–1992)

Start with Belinda Goes to Bath, the first of 6 books in the The Traveling Matchmaker series.

#Title
1
Cover of Belinda Goes to Bath
Belinda Goes to Bath
2
Cover of Emily Goes to Exeter
Emily Goes to Exeter
3
Cover of Beatrice Goes to Brighton
Beatrice Goes to Brighton
4
Cover of Penelope Goes to Portsmouth
Penelope Goes to Portsmouth
5
Cover of Deborah Goes to Dover
Deborah Goes to Dover
6
Cover of Yvonne Goes to York
Yvonne Goes to York

The Waverly Women Series

Complete

3 books (1989–1989)

Start with Silken Bonds and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of Silken Bonds
Silken Bonds
2
Cover of The First Rebellion
The First Rebellion
3
Cover of The Love Match
The Love Match

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Marion Chesney written?
Marion Chesney has written 212 books across 23 series. Their published works span from 1979 to 2026.
What is the first book in each Marion Chesney series?
Here are the first books in Marion Chesney's series: A House for the Season: Plain Jane; Agatha Raisin: The Quiche of Death; Anthologies: The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years; Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler: Cozy Case Files Volume 1; Daring Debutantes: Henrietta.
What order should I read Marion Chesney's books?
We recommend reading Marion Chesney's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Marion Chesney still writing new books?
Yes, Marion Chesney has 3 ongoing series: Agatha Raisin, Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler, Hamish Macbeth.

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