Nellie H. Steele Books in Order: The Complete Series Guide (2026)

Nellie H. Steele is a bestselling, award-winning American author based in the South Hills of Pittsburgh who has built more than a dozen interconnected book universes across mystery, urban fantasy, adventure, and romance. By day she works as a statistics professor — a detail her readers find delightfully at odds with her twisty, fast-paced plotting. She publishes her cozy mysteries, fantasy, and romance under Nellie H. Steele, and reserves the N.H. Steele name for her darker psychological suspense titles, like the Shadows of Deception trilogy.

She’s known in the cozy mystery community for an unusually fast release schedule, recurring “found family” casts, animal sidekicks (including a few talking ones), and small-town or historic settings that blend gentle romance with light paranormal elements.

How to Read Nellie H. Steele’s Books in Order

Each book generally wraps up its own case, so the series are technically readable as standalones — but character arcs, romantic relationships, and supernatural lore build book to book, so reading in publication order is the recommended path. The lists below follow the author’s own official series reading order.

1. Cate Kensie Mysteries (Start Here)

Best for: readers who want the definitive Nellie H. Steele starting point.

A paranormal cozy mystery series (complete, 10 books) following Cate Kensie and her dog, Riley, after she inherits a Scottish castle full of secrets, ghosts, and centuries-old history.

1. The Secret of Dunhaven Castle (2019) — Cate leaves her old life behind to claim an unexpected inheritance, only to discover the castle is hiding deep secrets.
2. Murder at Dunhaven Castle (2020) — Cate digs into a centuries-old murder tied to her new home.
3. Holiday Heist at Dunhaven Castle (2020) — A festive celebration turns dramatic when an old theft resurfaces.
4. Danger at Dunhaven Castle (2021) — New local threats push Cate to investigate closer to home.
5. A Spy at Dunhaven Castle (2022) — Historical intrigue and modern-day espionage collide on the castle grounds.
6. Missing from Dunhaven Castle (2023) — A high-stakes disappearance forces Cate to race the clock.
7. Taken from Dunhaven Castle (2023) — Personal stakes hit an all-time high when someone close to Cate goes missing.
8. Trouble at Dunhaven Castle (2024) — Unexplained anomalies and town friction bring fresh trouble to the castle.
9. Reckoning at Dunhaven Castle (2025) — Long-buried truths finally surface.
10. Wedding at Dunhaven Castle (2025) — A milestone event for Cate brings celebration and unexpected mystery.

Companion spin-off — Jack’s Journal: The Secret Keepers (2021), Murder in the Tower (2021).

2. Duchess of Blackmoore Mysteries

A historical cozy mystery series with a strong female lead unraveling dark aristocratic secrets.

1. Death of a Duchess (2021) — The sudden, suspicious death of a noblewoman unravels a web of lies.
2. Letter to a Duchess (2022) — A mysterious letter exposes long-buried family scandals.
3. Asylum for a Duchess (2023) — A grim setting hides secrets powerful figures want kept buried.
4. Danger for a Duchess (2024) — Political and personal safety are both compromised.
5. Turmoil for a Duchess (2025) — Rising conflict within the household threatens to upend everything.
6. Secrets for a Duchess (2026) — Newly exposed betrayals leave the household reeling.

3. Shelving Magic (Urban Fantasy, Complete)

A fast-paced urban fantasy series built around a magical library, ancient curses, and the entities sworn to protect it — the pick if you prefer fantasy to traditional cozy mystery.

1. Shadow Origins (prequel)
2. Shadow Beasts (2023)
3. Shadow Charms (2023)
4. Shadow Lord (2023)
5. Shadow Moon (2023)
6. Shadow Omens (2024)
7. Shadow Curses (2024)
8. Shadow Witch (2024)
9. Shadow Legend (2024)

4. Lily & Cassie by the Sea Cozy Mysteries

A mother-daughter duo runs a coastal property while contending with local legend, resident ghosts, and a steady stream of murders.

1. Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore (2022)
2. Spirits, Tales & a Body by the Bales (2023)
3. Legends, Tea & a Ghost Named Ri (2024)
4. Maine, Moose & a Killer on the Loose (2024)
5. Journals, Lies & a Ghost in Disguise (2025)
6. Whispers, Screams & a Killer with Schemes (2026)

5. Shadow Slayers Stories

An urban fantasy / paranormal romance series about warriors who hunt dark supernatural entities.

1. In the Shadow of Darkness (prequel)
2. Shadows of the Past (2020)
3. Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul (2020)
4. Gone (2021)
5. Trouble (2022)
6. Darkness Rising (2023)
7. Hellscape (2024)

6. Middle Age is Murder Cozy Mysteries

A humorous, heartfelt paranormal cozy starring a woman starting over in her fifties. Book 1 opens with Ellie Byrne, newly divorced and broke, inheriting a bed-and-breakfast in the small town of Salem Falls — only to learn her aunt didn’t just die there, she was murdered, and the aunt’s two very opinionated pets aren’t going to let it go unsolved.

1. Fall is Murder (prequel)
2. Moving is Murder (2022) — Ellie inherits a haunted-feeling B&B in Salem Falls, talking pets included, and gets pulled into her aunt’s unsolved murder.
3. Business is Murder (2023) — Ellie’s new life in Salem Falls gets more complicated as the town’s secrets keep surfacing.
4. Weekends are Murder (2024) — A quiet weekend at the B&B turns into anything but.
5. Holidays are Murder (2025) — A holiday season in Salem Falls brings fresh trouble to Ellie’s door.
6. Vacations are Murder (2026) — Ellie’s getaway doesn’t stay peaceful for long.

7. Maggie Edwards Adventures

An Indiana-Jones-style archaeological adventure series following globe-trotting heroine Maggie Edwards as she chases historical relics, secret societies, and old enemies.

1. Cleopatra’s Tomb (2020) — Maggie is pulled into the mystery of a bejeweled golden scarab and her uncle’s sudden disappearance.
2. Secret of the Ankhs (2021) — A new lead sends Maggie deeper into a dangerous, globe-spanning hunt.
3. The Lost Treasure of Drakon (2022) — Maggie chases another legendary find, with the stakes higher than ever.
4. Greyback Gold (2023) — A tip about lost Confederate gold from Maggie’s ex draws her into secret societies and an old enemy looking for payback.

8. More Series Worth Knowing

Pearl Party Cozy Mysteries: Murder of Pearl (2022), Mayhem in the Mansion (2023), Mutiny in the Manor (2025).

Whispers of Witchcraft Cozy Mysteries: Ghostly Gossip (2024), Mysterious Murmurs (2024), Cryptic Clues (2024), Enigmatic Echoes (2025), Wicked Whispers (2025).

Great Maine Mysteries: Murder Most Eastern, Murder Most Scenic, Murder Most Quiet, Murder Most Wild (2025).

Shadow Lake Ranch Murders: Her Last Best Friend (2025), plus additional 2026 entries.

Clif & Ri on the Sea Adventures: Rise of a Pirate (prequel), A Pirate’s Life for Ri, A Pirate’s Gem for Ri.

Affair with Hair Cozy Mysteries: Mousse and Murder.

Nellie H. Steele also writes contemporary romance under her own name — including the Hearts and High Stakes and Devotion and Dynasty series — and psychological suspense as N.H. Steele, most notably the completed Shadows of Deception trilogy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nellie H. Steele’s most popular series? The Cate Kensie Mysteries. It’s widely considered her breakout work, blending traditional cozy mystery structure with Scottish castle history and light paranormal elements.

Should I read her series in order? Yes, ideally. Each book usually resolves its own central mystery, but character relationships and supernatural lore build across the series, so publication order gives the fullest experience.

Does Nellie H. Steele write romance? Yes. Under the same name, she writes contemporary romance, including billionaire romance (Hearts and High Stakes) and royal/soap-opera-style romance (Devotion and Dynasty).

What’s the difference between Nellie H. Steele and N.H. Steele? They’re the same author. “Nellie H. Steele” covers her cozy mysteries, urban fantasy, and romance. “N.H. Steele” is reserved for her psychological suspense and thriller work, such as the Shadows of Deception trilogy.

Where should I start if I like fantasy more than cozy mystery? Start with Shelving Magic. It’s a complete urban fantasy series centered on a magical library, ancient curses, and the entities that protect it.

Where should I start overall? The Secret of Dunhaven Castle, Book 1 of the Cate Kensie Mysteries. It’s her most representative work — a relatable heroine, an atmospheric setting, and a cozy-with-a-dash-of-paranormal tone that carries through most of her catalog.

Final Verdict

New to Nellie H. Steele? Start with The Secret of Dunhaven Castle. It’s the clearest showcase of what she does best — a relatable heroine, an atmospheric setting, cozy pacing, and just enough of the supernatural to hook you into the rest of her catalog.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.