Andrea Penrose Books in Order: Wrexford & Sloane, Lady Arianna, and Regency Mysteries

Andrea Penrose writes historical fiction that blends Regency-era settings with mystery, intrigue, science, romance, and political danger. Her best-known work today is the Wrexford & Sloane series, which follows an aristocratic scientist and a satirical artist investigating crimes in Regency London. The Lady Arianna Hadley mysteries offer another Regency mystery series, with a strong female investigator at the center.

Her bibliography can be confusing because Penrose has written under several names. Andrea Pickens was used for traditional Regency romances, while Cara Elliott was used for Regency romantic suspense. Some of those earlier books have since been republished, which means newer editions can make the publication history look more complicated than it originally was.

Andrea Penrose Books in Order

For readers specifically looking for books published under the name Andrea Penrose, there are two major mystery series: Lady Arianna Hadley and Wrexford & Sloane.

The series should be read individually in publication order because both have continuing characters and relationships.

Lady Arianna Hadley Mysteries

The Lady Arianna Hadley books are Regency mysteries set in the early nineteenth century. Arianna and her husband Saybrook become involved in investigations involving espionage, politics, murder, and international intrigue.

There is some inconsistent numbering across online databases because The Stolen Letters is a novella and some sources count it separately, while others treat it as a novella between the numbered novels. The publication sequence itself is clear.

Sweet Revenge

Published: 2011
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley #1

Sweet Revenge introduces Lady Arianna Hadley and establishes the Regency mystery world that Penrose develops throughout the series. The story combines historical romance with investigation and introduces the characters and relationships that continue through later books.

Because this is the beginning of Arianna’s story, it is the best place to start the series.

The Cocoa Conspiracy

Published: 2011
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley #2

Arianna becomes involved in another dangerous investigation, this time involving London’s fashionable world and a conspiracy surrounding the chocolate trade. The novel continues developing the series’ mixture of mystery, romance, historical detail, and intrigue.

Recipe for Treason

Published: 2012
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley #3

Arianna’s investigations become increasingly connected to political and national concerns. Recipe for Treason continues the character development established in the first two books while giving Arianna another complicated case to unravel.

The Stolen Letters

Published: 2017
Type: Novella

The Stolen Letters is a shorter Lady Arianna story that sits between Recipe for Treason and Smoke & Lies. Because it is a novella rather than a full-length novel, some reading-order sites label it #3.5, while others simply place it as the fourth entry.

For readers who want the complete Arianna experience, it is worth reading before Smoke & Lies.

Smoke & Lies

Published: 2018
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley

Arianna’s world becomes more dangerous as secrets, deception, and political intrigue intersect with the investigation. The book continues the ongoing development of Arianna and Saybrook while expanding the scope of the series beyond individual Regency crimes.

A Question of Numbers

Published: 2019
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley

Mathematics, intelligence, and political intrigue become part of Arianna’s latest investigation. Like the other books in the series, the mystery is wrapped around a larger picture of Regency society and the political tensions of the period.

A Tangle of Serpents

Published: 2020
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley

Arianna faces another dangerous case in which deception and hidden motives make it difficult to know whom she can trust. The novel continues the increasingly established partnership between Arianna and Saybrook.

A Swirl of Shadows

Published: 2022
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley

A Swirl of Shadows brings Arianna into another mystery while continuing the personal and emotional developments that have accumulated across the series. It is best appreciated after the earlier books because the characters’ history has become an important part of the story.

The Thunder of Stones

Published: 2024
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley #8

Arianna and Saybrook’s investigation takes them beyond England to Athens, where the ancient past becomes intertwined with a dangerous modern mystery. The book expands the geographical scope of the series while retaining its Regency setting and investigative style.

The Price of Paradise

Published: May 19, 2026
Series: Lady Arianna Hadley #9

In The Price of Paradise, Arianna and Saybrook are drawn back into danger after an old friend asks for help with a political issue involving the Caribbean and the New World. A murdered recluse, a controversial scheme to create a new country, and a potentially lucrative investment bring them into a conspiracy where political ambition and murder become closely connected.

Important numbering note: Some websites currently label The Price of Paradise as #9, while others incorrectly list it as #10 or #11 because of duplicate or inconsistent records for earlier editions. Goodreads, Apple Books, and other current bibliographic records identify it as Lady Arianna Hadley #9.

Wrexford & Sloane Mysteries

The Wrexford & Sloane series is Andrea Penrose’s best-known mystery series and the strongest starting point for readers who specifically want her Regency detective fiction.

The central partnership brings together Lord Wrexford, an aristocratic scientist, and Charlotte Sloane, a widow and political cartoonist who secretly works under the name A.J. Quill. Their investigations combine murder, science, technology, politics, satire, and the social world of Regency London. Penrose’s official series description presents them as an unlikely investigative partnership whose contrasting personalities make them an effective team.

Murder on Black Swan Lane

Published: 2017
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #1

A murder draws Lord Wrexford into an investigation involving science and London’s darker networks. He eventually crosses paths with Charlotte Sloane, beginning the partnership that becomes the heart of the series.

This is the essential starting point for Wrexford & Sloane because it introduces the characters, their complicated relationship, and the Regency London setting.

Murder at Half Moon Gate

Published: 2018
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #2

Wrexford and Charlotte return for another murder investigation as their working relationship becomes more established. The second book develops the characters introduced in Murder on Black Swan Lane while presenting a new mystery.

Murder at Kensington Palace

Published: 2019
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #3

The investigation reaches one of London’s most important royal locations. Wrexford and Charlotte must work through another complicated case while the personal dynamics of their partnership continue to evolve.

Murder at Queen’s Landing

Published: 2020
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #4

Another murder pulls Wrexford and Charlotte into a dangerous investigation involving the aristocratic and political worlds of Regency London. The book continues the larger character arc rather than functioning as an entirely isolated mystery.

Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Published: 2021
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #5

The fifth mystery moves into the world of botanical science and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Science remains an important part of the series, making this a particularly fitting case for the scientifically minded Lord Wrexford.

Murder at the Serpentine Bridge

Published: 2022
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #6

Wrexford and Charlotte investigate another murder in London, with the case bringing them into another web of secrets and competing interests. By this point, the series’ continuing character relationships are just as important as the individual mysteries.

Murder at the Merton Library

Published: 2023
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #7

An urgent problem involving a troubled family leads Wrexford and Charlotte into another investigation. The seventh book continues the established balance between historical mystery, scientific curiosity, and the developing personal lives of the central characters.

Murder at King’s Crossing

Published: 2024
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #8

The eighth mystery brings another murder and another complex investigation for Wrexford and Charlotte. The series continues to broaden its picture of Regency London while keeping the investigative partnership at its center.

Murder at Somerset House

Published: 2025
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #9

A new murder sends Wrexford and Charlotte into another dangerous investigation in Regency London. By the ninth book, readers are following not only the individual mysteries but also the continuing development of their household, family, and relationships.

Murder on Threadneedle Street

Expected publication: September 29, 2026
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #10

Murder on Threadneedle Street is the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery and is scheduled for September 29, 2026. In the story, one of the young boys in Wrexford and Charlotte’s care becomes distressed after learning that his new drawing teacher has been murdered. The investigation draws them into a counterfeiting scheme involving murder and manipulation.

Because the current date is September 23, 2026, this book should be listed as upcoming, not as a currently published title.

Andrea Penrose’s Books Under Other Names

Andrea Penrose’s bibliography becomes much larger when her earlier pen names are included. Readers searching for her complete body of work may encounter books credited to Andrea Pickens, Cara Elliott, and Andrea DaRif. These are not separate authors; they are names associated with the same writer.

For Whimsy Read, it is useful to keep these books in a separate section rather than mixing them into the Andrea Penrose mystery order.

Andrea Pickens Books in Order

Andrea Pickens was used primarily for traditional Regency romance and related historical adventures. Her bibliography includes several series.

Lessons in Love

1. The Defiant Governess (1997)
2. Second Chances (2000)
3. The Storybook Hero (2002)

These are traditional Regency romances and are independent enough to be read separately, although publication order is the simplest sequence.

Intrepid Heroines

1. Code of Honor (1998)
2. The Hired Hero (1999)
3. A Stroke of Luck (2003)
4. Pistols at Dawn (2014)

The series centers on adventurous women and combines historical romance with mystery and adventure.

Some of these older novels have been republished in updated editions, which can create newer publication dates in online bookstores. The original publication chronology is the more useful order for a reading guide.

Dangerous Liaisons

1. A Diamond in the Rough (2001)
2. Sweeter Than Sin (2014)
3. Devil May Care (2015)

This is another Regency romance series published under the Andrea Pickens name.

Merlin’s Maidens

1. The Spy Wore Silk (2007)
2. Seduced by a Spy (2008)
3. The Scarlet Spy (2008)
4. To Love a Spy (2025)

The series was originally published years apart from the later reissues, and To Love a Spy was released in 2025 as part of the revived series.

Scandalous Secrets

1. The Major’s Mistake (2000)
2. A Lady of Letters (2000)
3. The Banished Bride (2002)

These earlier Regency romances are now frequently catalogued as Andrea Pickens books and have also received newer editions.

Cara Elliott Books in Order

Cara Elliott is another pen name associated with Andrea Pickens and was primarily used for Regency historical romance. Her three major series are:

Circle of Sin

1. To Sin with a Scoundrel (2010)
2. To Surrender to a Rogue (2010)
3. To Tempt a Rake (2011)

The three books form a connected Regency romance series involving strong heroines, intrigue, and dangerous men.

Lords of Midnight

1. Too Wicked to Wed (2011)
2. Too Tempting to Resist (2012)
3. Too Dangerous to Desire (2012)

These Regency romances were also published under the Cara Elliott name.

Hellions of High Street

1. Scandalously Yours (2014)
2. Sinfully Yours (2014)
3. Passionately Yours (2014)

The series follows the Sloane sisters and combines romance, adventure, and intrigue in Regency London.

Andrea DaRif Books

Andrea DaRif is another name associated with Penrose’s earlier historical romance work.

Two standalone novels commonly listed under this name are:

1. The Tiger’s Mistress (2003)
2. A Kiss of Spice (2004)

These are not part of the Wrexford & Sloane or Lady Arianna mysteries.

Other Andrea Penrose Books and Collections

Penrose’s broader bibliography also includes shorter works and anthology appearances.

Christmas by Candlelight

Christmas by Candlelight is a collection of two Regency holiday novellas and was originally published in 2016. It is better treated as a holiday collection than as another Andrea Penrose mystery series.

The Diamond of London

Published: 2024

The Diamond of London is a standalone historical novel and is not part of the Wrexford & Sloane or Lady Arianna Hadley series. It can therefore be read independently.

Should You Read Andrea Penrose’s Books in Order?

It depends on which series you choose.

For Wrexford & Sloane, reading in order is strongly recommended because Lord Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane’s relationship develops throughout the series. Each book has its own murder investigation, but the characters’ family, friendships, and personal relationships carry from one novel to the next.

The same approach works for the Lady Arianna Hadley mysteries. Start with Sweet Revenge and continue through The Price of Paradise. The novella The Stolen Letters can be inserted between Recipe for Treason and Smoke & Lies if you want the complete series chronology.

The older romance series under Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott can generally be read one series at a time. There is no reason to alternate between the different pen names unless you are trying to follow Penrose’s entire publishing career.

Where Should You Start With Andrea Penrose?

Start with Wrexford & Sloane

If you are primarily interested in historical mysteries, begin with Murder on Black Swan Lane. It introduces the central partnership and the Regency London setting that define Penrose’s most prominent mystery series.

Start with Lady Arianna Hadley

If you prefer a female-led Regency mystery, begin with Sweet Revenge. The series follows Arianna and Saybrook through investigations that gradually expand into espionage and international political intrigue.

Start with Regency Romance

For Penrose’s earlier romance writing, choose a series based on the type of story you prefer. The Defiant Governess begins the Lessons in Love books under Andrea Pickens, while To Sin with a Scoundrel begins Cara Elliott’s Circle of Sin series.

Andrea Penrose Books by Genre

Regency Historical Mysteries

• Lady Arianna Hadley series
• Wrexford & Sloane series

Regency Romance

• Lessons in Love
• Intrepid Heroines
• Dangerous Liaisons
• Scandalous Secrets
• Merlin’s Maidens
• Circle of Sin
• Lords of Midnight
• Hellions of High Street

Standalone Historical Fiction

• The Tiger’s Mistress
• A Kiss of Spice
• The Diamond of London

Short Fiction and Collections

• The Stolen Letters
• Christmas by Candlelight
• Other short stories and anthology contributions published under her various names

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Andrea Penrose written?

The exact number depends on whether the bibliography includes only books published as Andrea Penrose or also her earlier books published under Andrea Pickens, Cara Elliott, and Andrea DaRif. Current bibliographic databases therefore give substantially different totals. The two principal Andrea Penrose mystery series alone comprise nine published Lady Arianna Hadley novels plus the novella The Stolen Letters, and nine published Wrexford & Sloane books as of September 2026, with Murder on Threadneedle Street scheduled as the tenth Wrexford & Sloane book.

What is Andrea Penrose’s newest book?

As of September 23, 2026, Andrea Penrose’s newest published book is The Price of Paradise, released May 19, 2026. It is the ninth Lady Arianna Hadley mystery according to current Goodreads and Apple Books records.

What is the next Andrea Penrose book?

Murder on Threadneedle Street, Wrexford & Sloane #10, is scheduled for September 29, 2026. Penguin Random House currently lists that publication date and identifies it as Book 10 of the series.

What is the first Wrexford & Sloane book?

The first Wrexford & Sloane mystery is Murder on Black Swan Lane, published in 2017.

Do you need to read Wrexford & Sloane in order?

Yes, publication order is the best way to read the series. Each mystery has its own case, but the relationship between Wrexford and Charlotte and the development of their household continue from book to book.

Is Andrea Penrose the same author as Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott?

Yes. Andrea Penrose is associated with the earlier pen names Andrea Pickens, Cara Elliott, and Andrea DaRif. The different names were used for different types of Regency fiction, which is why her complete bibliography can appear under several author names.

Is Lady Arianna Hadley connected to Wrexford & Sloane?

They are separate Andrea Penrose mystery series. Both are set in the Regency period and share Penrose’s interest in historical intrigue, but readers should treat them as separate series rather than one continuous storyline.

What genre is Andrea Penrose known for?

Penrose is primarily known for Regency-era historical fiction, particularly historical mystery and Regency romance. Her Wrexford & Sloane and Lady Arianna Hadley books emphasize mystery and intrigue, while her earlier books under Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott are primarily Regency romances.

Final Thoughts

Andrea Penrose’s bibliography is much broader than the Wrexford & Sloane books that first bring many readers to her work. Her current mystery career is built around two Regency series, Wrexford & Sloane and Lady Arianna Hadley, while her earlier romance novels appeared under several different names.

For a new reader interested in mystery, Murder on Black Swan Lane is the clearest starting point. For readers who prefer a female-led Regency investigation, Sweet Revenge opens the Lady Arianna Hadley series. And for anyone interested in Penrose’s full career, the Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott books provide a much larger body of historical romance to explore.

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.