Below is the complete list of Rhys Bowen books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.
Constable Evans Books in Publication Order
- Evans Above (1997)
View Book - Evan Help Us (1998)
View Book - Evanly Choirs (1999)
View Book - Evan and Elle (2000)
View Book - Evan Can Wait (2001)
View Book - Evans to Betsy (2002)
View Book - Evan Only Knows (2003)
View Book - Evan’s Gate (2004)
View Book - Evan Blessed (2005)
View Book - Evanly Bodies (2006)
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Her Royal Spyness Books in Publication Order
- Her Royal Spyness (2007)
View Book - A Royal Pain (2008)
View Book - Royal Flush (2009)
View Book - Royal Blood (2010)
View Book - Naughty in Nice (2011)
View Book - Masked Ball at Broxley Manor (2012)
View Book - The Twelve Clues of Christmas (2012)
View Book - Heirs and Graces (2013)
View Book - Queen of Hearts (2014)
View Book - Malice at the Palace (2015)
View Book - Crowned and Dangerous (2016)
View Book - On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service (2017)
View Book - Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (2018)
View Book - Love and Death Among the Cheetahs (2019)
View Book - The Last Mrs. Summers (2020)
View Book - God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen (2021)
View Book - Peril in Paris (2022)
View Book - The Proof of the Pudding (2023)
View Book - We Three Queens (2024)
View Book - From Cradle to Grave (2025)
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Molly Murphy Books
with Clare Broyles
- Murphy’s Law (2001)
View Book - Death of Riley (2002)
View Book - For the Love of Mike (2003)
View Book - In Like Flynn (2005)
View Book - Oh Danny Boy (2006)
View Book - In Dublin’s Fair City (2007)
View Book - Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (2008)
View Book - In a Gilded Cage (2009)
View Book - The Last Illusion (2010)
View Book - Bless the Bride (2011)
View Book - The Amersham Rubies (2011)
View Book - Hush Now, Don’t You Cry (2012)
View Book - The Face in the Mirror (2013)
View Book - The Family Way (2013)
View Book - Through the Window (2014)
View Book - City of Darkness and Light (2014)
View Book - The Edge of Dreams (2015)
View Book - Away in a Manger (2015)
View Book - Time of Fog and Fire (2016)
View Book - The Ghost of Christmas Past (2017)
View Book - Wild Irish Rose (2022)
View Book - All That Is Hidden (2023)
View Book - In Sunshine or in Shadow (2024)
View Book - Silent as the Grave (2025)
View Book - Vanished in the Crowd (2026)
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Red Dragon Academy Books
with C.M. Broyles
- Dreamwalker (2014)
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Standalone Novels Books in Publication Order
- In Farleigh Field (2017)
View Book - The Tuscan Child (2018)
View Book - What Child Is This (2018)
View Book - The Victory Garden (2019)
View Book - Above the Bay of Angels (2020)
View Book - The Venice Sketchbook (2021)
View Book - Where the Sky Begins (2022)
View Book - The Paris Assignment (2023)
View Book - The Rose Arbor (2024)
View Book - Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure (2025)
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Short Stories/Novellas Books in Publication Order
- Seal of the Confessional (2000)
View Book - Doppelganger (2003)
View Book - Voodoo (2004)
View Book - Please Watch Your Step (2007)
View Book
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.