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Laura Levine is the author of the laugh-out-loud Jaine Austen Mystery series, featuring a quirky freelance writer turned amateur sleuth in Los Angeles. The series begins with This Pen for Hire (2002) and is best read in publication order, since Jaine’s friendships, love life, and ongoing misadventures build with each installment. Below, you’ll find the full reading order, complete book lists, and FAQs.
Publication Order — Jaine Austen Mysteries
The Jaine Austen Mysteries are cozy whodunits packed with humor, sass, and plenty of quirky side characters, including Jaine’s cat Prozac.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | This Pen for Hire | 2002 |
| 2 | Last Writes | 2003 |
| 3 | Killer Blonde | 2004 |
| 4 | Shoo, Fly Pie | 2006 |
| 5 | The PMS Murder | 2006 |
| 6 | Death by Pantyhose | 2007 |
| 7 | Killer Cruise | 2008 |
| 8 | Killing Bridezilla | 2008 |
| 9 | Killer Cuts | 2009 |
| 10 | Death of a Trophy Wife | 2010 |
| 11 | Pampered to Death | 2011 |
| 12 | Death of a Neighborhood Witch | 2012 |
| 13 | Killing Cupid | 2013 |
| 14 | Killing Miss Kitty | 2014 |
| 15 | Murder Has Nine Lives | 2016 |
| 16 | Death of a Bachelorette | 2017 |
| 17 | Death of a Gigolo | 2019 |
Each title delivers a witty blend of murder mystery, everyday chaos, and comedic banter that has made the series a cozy mystery fan favorite.
Chronological Order
The chronological order is the same as publication order for Laura Levine’s books. Jaine’s escapades unfold naturally with each new mystery, as her career struggles, dating disasters, and friendships progress in sequence.
Recommended Reading Order
The recommended order for Laura Levine’s books is publication order. Each book presents a self-contained mystery, so you can technically start anywhere. However, the humor and character relationships — especially Jaine’s letters from her parents and her love-hate bond with her cat Prozac — are most enjoyable when read in sequence.
Complete Book Series List
Laura Levine is primarily known for the Jaine Austen Mysteries, but her writing career also spans television comedy and contributions to anthologies.
- Jaine Austen Mysteries
- This Pen for Hire (2002)
- Last Writes (2003)
- Killer Blonde (2004)
- Shoo, Fly Pie (2006)
- The PMS Murder (2006)
- Death by Pantyhose (2007)
- Killer Cruise (2008)
- Killing Bridezilla (2008)
- Killer Cuts (2009)
- Death of a Trophy Wife (2010)
- Pampered to Death (2011)
- Death of a Neighborhood Witch (2012)
- Killing Cupid (2013)
- Killing Miss Kitty (2014)
- Murder Has Nine Lives (2016)
- Death of a Bachelorette (2017)
- Death of a Gigolo (2019)
- Short Stories & Anthologies
- Contributed to Killer Blonde: A Mystery Anthology
- Contributed humorous pieces to various collections
Upcoming / Latest Release
The latest entry in the Jaine Austen Mysteries is Death of a Gigolo (2019). As of now, no new titles have been announced, and the series may be on pause. Fans continue to hope for another installment featuring Jaine’s trademark humor and crime-solving chaos.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Laura Levine’s books in order.
How many books are in the Jaine Austen Mysteries?
There are 17 books in the series, from This Pen for Hire (2002) to Death of a Gigolo (2019).
Is the Jaine Austen Mystery series finished?
The series has not officially ended, but no new books have been announced since 2019.
What order should I read Laura Levine’s books in?
The best order is publication order, beginning with This Pen for Hire.
Do the Jaine Austen books need to be read in order?
Each book is standalone, but the humor and recurring jokes are more enjoyable when read sequentially.
What genre does Laura Levine write?
She writes cozy mysteries with a comedic twist, often compared to chick-lit humor blended with murder mystery plots.
Related Series
If you enjoy Laura Levine’s cozy mysteries, you may also like:
- Denise Swanson Books in Order — small-town cozy mysteries with a humorous touch.
- Catherine Bruns Books in Order — culinary cozies with sass and suspense.
- Maya Corrigan Books in Order — food-themed cozies with amateur sleuthing.