Elizabeth Penney Books in Order (Complete Reading Guide)

The best way to read Elizabeth Penney is by publication order, starting with her Apron Shop Mysteries. Penney is a popular cozy mystery author who blends small-town charm, business ventures, and engaging murder mysteries. She has written multiple series, including the Apron Shop Mysteries, Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries, and Irish Cottage Mysteries. Below, you’ll find all her reading orders explained, complete book lists, and FAQs.

Publication Order

Elizabeth Penney’s mysteries are divided into several cozy series, each with its own setting and themes. Here’s the publication order for all her books.

Apron Shop Mysteries

This series follows Iris Buckley, who returns to her hometown of Blueberry Cove, Maine, to open a vintage apron shop with her grandmother. Murder soon stitches its way into their lives.

1. Hems & Homicide (2020) – Iris’s plans for her shop are threatened when she discovers a body in the shop’s cellar.
2. Thread and Dead (2020) – A new seafood restaurant opening is spoiled by murder.
3. Buttons and Bows (2021) – A fashion show turns deadly, putting Iris back in sleuthing mode.

Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries

Set in Cambridge, England, this series follows Molly Kimball, an American antiques enthusiast, who works at a centuries-old bookshop and finds herself in the middle of literary crimes.

1. Chapter and Curse (2021) – Molly’s arrival in Cambridge coincides with a murder at the family bookshop.
2. A Treacherous Tale (2022) – A rare manuscript leads Molly into danger.
3. The Fatal Folio (2023) – A university mystery uncovers sinister secrets.
4. A Fearsome Fable (2024) – Molly faces another literary-inspired murder in Cambridge.

Irish Cottage Mysteries

This earlier series is set in Ireland, where American sleuths uncover mysteries in a cozy village.

1. Keen as Mustard (2014) – A mix of Irish charm and murder mystery sets the tone for the series.
2. Confessions of a Troubleshooter (2015) – Another murder shakes the peaceful countryside.
3. The Troubleshooter’s Daughter (2016) – A family-centered case adds intrigue.

Chronological Order

For Elizabeth Penney, the chronological order matches the publication order. Each book builds on character development and relationships within its series. There are no prequels or separate timelines, so readers can safely follow the published sequence.

Recommended Reading Order

The recommended reading order depends on which of Penney’s cozy settings appeals most to you:

• If you enjoy New England small-town cozies, start with the Apron Shop Mysteries.
• If you prefer literary and British settings, begin with the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries.
• If you want an early, charming series, try the Irish Cottage Mysteries.

Most fans recommend publication order within each series to follow the character arcs and ongoing storylines.

Complete Book Series List

Here is a checklist of all Elizabeth Penney’s works:

• Apron Shop Mysteries (3 books, 2020–2021; complete)
• Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries (4 books, 2021–2024; ongoing)
• Irish Cottage Mysteries (3 books, 2014–2016; complete)

This list provides a full overview of every published title to date.

Upcoming and Latest Release

The latest book is A Fearsome Fable (2024) in the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries. This series is still ongoing, with more installments expected in the coming years. The Apron Shop and Irish Cottage series are complete.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about Elizabeth Penney books in order.

How many books has Elizabeth Penney written?
She has written 10+ books across three main series.

Is the Apron Shop Mysteries series finished?
Yes, it concluded with Buttons and Bows (2021).

Is the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries series ongoing?
Yes, the latest entry, A Fearsome Fable (2024), continues the series.

What order should I read Elizabeth Penney books?
Read in publication order within each series.

Are the series connected?
No, each series is independent, though all share cozy mystery elements.

Where are the books set?
Her series are set in Maine (Apron Shop Mysteries), England (Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries), and Ireland (Irish Cottage Mysteries).

Related Series You May Like

If you enjoy Elizabeth Penney, you may also like:

• Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lover’s Mysteries (see Jenn McKinlay books in order)
• Paige Shelton’s Scottish Bookshop Mysteries (see Paige Shelton books in order)
• Krista Davis’s Domestic Diva Mysteries (see Krista Davis books in order)
• Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries (see Vicki Delany books in order)

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