Rhys Bowen Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Rhys Bowen books in publication order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.

Constable Evans Books in Order

1. Evans Above (1997)
2. Evan Help Us (1998)
3. Evanly Choirs (1999)
4. Evan and Elle (2000)
5. Evan Can Wait (2001)
6. Evans to Betsy (2002)
7. Evan Only Knows (2003)
8. Evan’s Gate (2004)
9. Evan Blessed (2005)
10. Evanly Bodies (2006)

Her Royal Spyness Books in Order

1. Her Royal Spyness (2007)
2. A Royal Pain (2008)
3. Royal Flush (2009)
4. Royal Blood (2010)
5. Naughty in Nice (2011)
6. Masked Ball at Broxley Manor (2012)
7. The Twelve Clues of Christmas (2012)
8. Heirs and Graces (2013)
9. Queen of Hearts (2014)
10. Malice at the Palace (2015)
11. Crowned and Dangerous (2016)
12. On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service (2017)
13. Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (2018)
14. Love and Death Among the Cheetahs (2019)
15. The Last Mrs. Summers (2020)
16. God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen (2021)
17. Peril in Paris (2022)
18. The Proof of the Pudding (2023)
19. We Three Queens (2024)
20. From Cradle to Grave (2025)

Molly Murphy Books
with Clare Broyles

1. Murphy’s Law (2001)
2. Death of Riley (2002)
3. For the Love of Mike (2003)
4. In Like Flynn (2005)
5. Oh Danny Boy (2006)
6. In Dublin’s Fair City (2007)
7. Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (2008)
8. In a Gilded Cage (2009)
9. The Last Illusion (2010)
10. Bless the Bride (2011)
11. The Amersham Rubies (2011)
12. Hush Now, Don’t You Cry (2012)
13. The Face in the Mirror (2013)
14. The Family Way (2013)
15. Through the Window (2014)
16. City of Darkness and Light (2014)
17. The Edge of Dreams (2015)
18. Away in a Manger (2015)
19. Time of Fog and Fire (2016)
20. The Ghost of Christmas Past (2017)
21. Wild Irish Rose (2022)
22. All That Is Hidden (2023)
23. In Sunshine or in Shadow (2024)
24. Silent as the Grave (2025)
25. Vanished in the Crowd (2026)

Red Dragon Academy Books
with C.M. Broyles

1. Dreamwalker (2014)

Standalone Novels Books in Order

1. In Farleigh Field (2017)
2. The Tuscan Child (2018)
3. What Child Is This (2018)
4. The Victory Garden (2019)
5. Above the Bay of Angels (2020)
6. The Venice Sketchbook (2021)
7. Where the Sky Begins (2022)
8. The Paris Assignment (2023)
9. The Rose Arbor (2024)
10. Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure (2025)

Short Stories/Novellas Books in Order

1. Seal of the Confessional (2000)
2. Doppelganger (2003)
3. Voodoo (2004)
4. Please Watch Your Step (2007)

About Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen is a British-born mystery novelist widely known for her historical crime fiction and cozy mystery series. Over the course of her career, she has built a strong reputation for writing character-driven mysteries set in vividly realized historical settings. Her novels often blend suspense with humor, social history, and richly developed protagonists, making her work popular with readers who enjoy both mystery and historical storytelling.

Rhys Bowen was born Janet Quin-Harkin on November 29, 1941, in Bath, England. She grew up in the United Kingdom and later attended the University of London, where she studied drama. Her early academic interests in theater and storytelling would eventually influence her writing style, particularly her strong focus on character development and dialogue.

Before establishing herself as a mystery novelist, Bowen wrote several novels for young adults under her birth name. These early works helped her develop the narrative skills and discipline needed to build longer, more complex stories. During this period she also spent time working in theater and broadcasting, experiences that further shaped her storytelling approach.

Bowen later moved to the United States, where she continued writing fiction while raising a family. Her career took a significant turn when she began writing mystery novels under the pen name Rhys Bowen. These books quickly gained attention for their engaging plots and distinctive historical settings.

One of Bowen’s most notable achievements is the creation of the Molly Murphy series. Set in early twentieth-century New York City, the series follows Molly Murphy Sullivan, a young Irish immigrant who becomes an accidental detective. The books combine elements of historical fiction with traditional mystery storytelling, exploring immigrant life, social issues, and the changing role of women during that era.

Reading Rhys Bowen’s books in publication order allows readers to follow Molly Murphy’s personal journey alongside the evolving historical backdrop of the early 1900s. The series balances suspenseful investigations with character growth, relationships, and the challenges of building a new life in America.

Bowen is also widely known for the Royal Spyness series, which introduces readers to Lady Georgiana Rannoch, a minor member of British royalty in the 1930s who often finds herself entangled in murder investigations. These novels blend humor, historical intrigue, and clever plotting while portraying the complexities of British aristocratic life between the world wars.

Another popular series is the Constable Evans mysteries, set in rural Wales. These books follow police constable Evan Evans as he investigates crimes in a seemingly peaceful Welsh village. The setting draws heavily from Bowen’s own experiences growing up in the United Kingdom, giving the series an authentic sense of place and community.

Throughout her career, Rhys Bowen has received multiple honors for her work, including the prestigious Agatha Award for Best Novel. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and are widely read around the world.

A defining characteristic of Bowen’s writing is her ability to blend historical detail with engaging mysteries. Her stories often explore the social and cultural environments of their time periods while maintaining a light, accessible tone. Whether set in New York’s immigrant neighborhoods, British aristocratic circles, or Welsh villages, her novels focus on strong characters navigating both personal and investigative challenges.

Rhys Bowen continues to write novels that combine historical depth, humor, and intriguing mysteries. Readers following Rhys Bowen’s books in publication order can see the development of an author who has successfully created several enduring mystery series across multiple historical settings.