Based on the beloved TV series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, the Murder, She Wrote novels have quietly become one of the longest-running cozy mystery tie-in series ever published — over 60 books since 1989, credited to “Jessica Fletcher” with a rotating cast of real ghostwriters. Here’s the complete reading order.
Murder, She Wrote Books in Order
Early TV Tie-Ins (a separate, earlier set — written before the main series)
- The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985) — James Anderson
- Hooray for Homicide (1985) — James Anderson
- Lovers and Other Killers (1986) — James Anderson
- Murder in Two Acts (1986) — David Deutsch
Main Series — Donald Bain Era (1989–2015)
- Gin & Daggers (1989)
- Manhattans & Murder (1994)
- Rum & Razors (1995)
- Brandy & Bullets (1995)
- Martinis & Mayhem (1995)
- A Deadly Judgment (1996)
- A Palette for Murder (1996)
- The Highland Fling Murders (1997)
- Murder on the QE2 (1997)
- Murder in Moscow (1998)
- A Little Yuletide Murder (1998)
- Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch (1999)
- Knock ’em Dead (1999)
- Trick or Treachery (2000)
- Blood on the Vine (2001)
- Murder in a Minor Key (2001)
- Provence – To Die For (2002)
- You Bet Your Life (2002)
- Majoring in Murder (2003)
- Destination Murder (2003)
- Dying to Retire (2004)
- A Vote for Murder (2004)
- The Maine Mutiny (2005)
- Margaritas & Murder (2005)
- A Question of Murder (2006)
- Three Strikes and You’re Dead (2006)
- Coffee, Tea, or Murder? (2007)
- Panning for Murder (2007)
- Murder on Parade (2008)
- A Slaying in Savannah (2008)
- Madison Avenue Shoot (2009)
- A Fatal Feast (2009)
- Nashville Noir (2010)
- The Queen’s Jewels (2010)
- Skating on Thin Ice (2011)
- The Fine Art of Murder (2011)
- Trouble at High Tide (2012)
- Domestic Malice (2012)
- Prescription for Murder (2013)
- Close-Up on Murder (2013)
- Aloha Betrayed (2014)
- Death of a Blue Blood (2014)
- Killer in the Kitchen (2015)
- The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher (2015, with Renée Paley-Bain)
- Design for Murder (2016, with Renée Paley-Bain)
- Hook, Line, and Murder (2016, with Renée Paley-Bain)
Jon Land Era (2018–2020)
- A Date with Murder (2018)
- Manuscript for Murder (2018)
- Murder in Red (2019)
- A Time for Murder (2019)
- The Murder of Twelve (2020)
- Murder in Season (2020)
Terrie Farley Moran Era (2021–Present)
- Killing in a Koi Pond (2021)
- Debonair in Death (2021)
- Killer on the Court (2022)
- Death on the Emerald Isle (2023)
- Fit for Murder (2024)
- Murder Backstage (2024)
- A Killer Christmas (2024)
Barbara Early & Moran, Alternating (2025–)
- Snowy with a Chance of Murder (2025) — Barbara Early
- A Body in Boston (2025) — Terrie Farley Moran
- Murder Most Trivial (2026) — Barbara Early
- A Killing in Real Estate (2026) — Terrie Farley Moran
Do You Need to Read Them in Order?
Not strictly — each book is a self-contained mystery, and Jessica Fletcher’s world in Cabot Cove doesn’t require the same continuity tracking as a series with an evolving romance plot. That said, reading within an era (the Bain years, then Land, then Moran) will feel more consistent in tone, since each ghostwriter brings a slightly different voice to Jessica.
Where Should I Start?
If you want the “real” beginning of the tie-in novel series, start with Gin & Daggers (1989) — the first full-length Donald Bain novel. If you’d rather start with something more recent and easy to find, Killing in a Koi Pond (2021) kicks off the current Terrie Farley Moran era.
FAQ
Did Angela Lansbury write these books?
No — like many TV tie-in series, “Jessica Fletcher” is a a character credit, not a real author. The books have been ghostwritten by Donald Bain, Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran, and most recently Barbara Early.
Is the series still being written?
Yes — new entries continued through 2026, over three decades after the TV show ended.
Looking for more classic-style cozy series? Check out our Agatha Raisin books in order and Aurora Teagarden books in order guides.