Verity Bright Books in Order: Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series

If you’re looking for a historical cozy mystery series with country houses, glamorous destinations, eccentric suspects, and plenty of murders, Verity Bright’s Lady Eleanor Swift books are a fun rabbit hole to fall into. Eleanor isn’t exactly the sort of aristocrat who is happy to sit quietly and let the police handle everything.

The reading order is wonderfully straightforward: there is one main series, so you can simply start with A Very English Murder and work your way forward. And with more than two dozen mysteries now available, there’s plenty of Eleanor Swift to enjoy.

Verity Bright Books in Order

Verity Bright is the pen name of a husband-and-wife writing partnership. Their Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries are historical cozy mysteries set in the 1920s.

Here is the complete reading order, including the upcoming 2026 book:

The author and publisher list the same Lady Eleanor Swift sequence, with Murder Stage Left released on August 26, 2026 and Murder at the Winter Fair scheduled for December 9, 2026.

Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Books in Order

1. A Very English Murder (2020)

The series begins in 1920, when Lady Eleanor Swift returns to England after years of traveling around the world.

She has unexpectedly inherited Henley Hall and the title that comes with it. But Eleanor’s return to her new home doesn’t exactly go smoothly.

When she witnesses what appears to be a murder, she finds herself drawn into an investigation despite having little experience as a detective.

And then there’s Gladstone, her lovable bulldog, who quickly becomes one of the most memorable characters in the series.

This is the book to start with because it introduces Eleanor, Henley Hall, Gladstone, and the people who become important throughout the series.

2. Death at the Dance (2020)

Eleanor attends a glamorous dance, but the evening takes a darker turn when someone is found dead.

Rather than simply enjoying the social occasion, Eleanor finds herself investigating another suspicious death.

The second book continues developing Eleanor’s character and the world introduced in A Very English Murder.

3. A Witness to Murder (2020)

Eleanor becomes involved in another murder investigation when a death occurs at Farrington Manor.

There are secrets, suspicious characters, and conflicting stories to unravel, giving Eleanor another opportunity to put her increasingly sharp investigative instincts to work.

4. Murder in the Snow (2020)

Christmas in England should mean cozy fires, festive food, and beautiful snowy scenery.

Unfortunately for Eleanor, it also means murder.

This winter mystery brings Eleanor and Gladstone into another dangerous investigation while giving the series its first particularly strong Christmas atmosphere.

5. Mystery by the Sea (2021)

Eleanor heads to the seaside, where a beautiful hotel becomes the setting for another murder mystery.

The change of scenery is one of the pleasures of the Lady Eleanor Swift books. The series doesn’t keep Eleanor trapped in one country house; she gets to travel, and trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes.

6. Murder at the Fair (2021)

A traditional English fair should be a cheerful event, but Eleanor soon discovers that something much more sinister is happening.

The fair provides a colorful setting for another historical cozy mystery.

7. A Lesson in Murder (2021)

Eleanor returns to a place connected to her past when she is invited to her old school.

But nostalgia quickly disappears when a murder occurs.

Once again, Eleanor finds herself investigating while trying to work out which apparently respectable person might be hiding something.

8. Death on a Winter’s Day (2021)

Another winter mystery takes Eleanor into a festive setting filled with Christmas traditions, snow, and, unfortunately, another dead body.

If you particularly enjoy seasonal cozy mysteries, this is one of the books worth saving for the winter months.

9. A Royal Murder (2022)

Eleanor’s investigations become even more glamorous when she finds herself involved with royalty.

A royal event provides the backdrop for another murder, and Eleanor has to navigate a world where almost everyone has something to hide.

10. The French for Murder (2022)

Eleanor heads across the Channel to France.

The change of location brings new scenery, new suspects, and another murder for Eleanor to investigate.

It is also part of the series’ gradual expansion from traditional English country-house mysteries into international adventures.

11. Death Down the Aisle (2022)

A wedding should be one of the happiest occasions imaginable.

For Eleanor, however, it becomes another murder scene.

The wedding setting gives the book plenty of opportunities for secrets, romantic complications, suspicious guests, and, of course, murder.

12. Murder in an Irish Castle (2022)

Eleanor travels to Ireland and discovers that the trip isn’t going to be quite as peaceful as she had hoped.

She arrives at a castle during the festive season and soon encounters a body in the snow.

The Irish setting adds another atmospheric location to the growing Lady Eleanor Swift world. Bookouture dates its publication to November 28, 2022.

13. Death on Deck (2023)

Eleanor takes to the water in this installment.

But even a luxurious journey can’t keep murder away.

The confined setting gives Eleanor another collection of suspects to investigate while continuing her adventures with Hugh, Clifford, and Gladstone.

14. Murder in Manhattan (2023)

Eleanor travels to New York City for another international mystery.

The contrast between the 1920s American setting and Eleanor’s usual English surroundings gives this installment a different flavor from the earlier books.

15. Murder by Invitation (2023)

Eleanor receives an invitation that leads her into another dangerous mystery.

As usual, the elegant surroundings hide secrets, and Eleanor has to work out what really happened before the killer can strike again.

16. Murder on the Cornish Cliffs (2023)

Eleanor heads to Cornwall, where dramatic coastal scenery provides the backdrop for another murder.

The isolated cliffs and beautiful surroundings make this a particularly atmospheric installment in the series.

17. A Death in Venice (2024)

Eleanor’s travels take her to Venice.

The city provides one of the series’ most distinctive settings, but Eleanor doesn’t get to simply enjoy the sights. A suspicious death gives her another mystery to solve.

18. Murder in Mayfair (2024)

Back in London, Eleanor finds herself investigating a murder in the fashionable Mayfair district.

The setting brings the story back toward the sophisticated world of 1920s London while continuing Eleanor’s development as an amateur sleuth.

19. Murder on the Nile (2024)

Eleanor’s adventures take her to Egypt and onto the Nile.

The exotic setting, confined travel environment, and large group of potential suspects make this another classic destination mystery for the series.

20. A Midwinter Murder (2024)

Eleanor finds herself surrounded by Christmas decorations, winter traditions, and another murder.

This is the twentieth Lady Eleanor Swift mystery and another seasonal entry in the series.

21. A Recipe for Murder (2025)

Eleanor encounters another mystery where food and murder come together.

As the investigation develops, she must sort through secrets and suspicious characters to determine who is responsible.

22. Death at a Paris Hotel (2025)

Paris is the next stop for Eleanor.

The elegant city provides the setting for another murder investigation, continuing the increasingly international nature of the series.

23. Murder at the Royal Palace (2025)

Eleanor receives a special royal invitation, but naturally, things don’t remain peaceful for long.

The royal setting introduces another group of important and potentially suspicious characters for Eleanor to investigate.

24. Murder on a Frosty Night (2025)

The series returns to a wintry atmosphere with another festive mystery.

As always, Eleanor’s Christmas plans are complicated by murder.

25. A Very Irish Mystery (2026)

Eleanor travels to Dublin with her husband Hugh Seldon and her loyal butler Clifford.

Part of the trip involves trying to learn more about the mysterious disappearance of Eleanor’s parents years earlier. But during a visit to a famous brewery, Eleanor discovers a body inside one of the barrels.

Published on April 10, 2026, this book adds another important piece to Eleanor’s personal story while giving readers another Irish mystery.

26. Murder Stage Left (2026)

In Murder Stage Left, Lady Eleanor Swift and Hugh visit the picturesque town associated with Shakespeare.

A production of Macbeth is underway, but the theatrical atmosphere quickly becomes much darker when valuable Shakespeare memorabilia disappears and the theater catches fire.

When leading actor Richard Ratcliffe is discovered dead backstage, Eleanor has another murder to solve.

Bookouture published Murder Stage Left on August 26, 2026.

27. Murder at the Winter Fair (2026) — Upcoming

The next Lady Eleanor Swift mystery is Murder at the Winter Fair, scheduled for December 9, 2026.

This time Eleanor and her detective agency are in the Welsh mountains, where a festive winter fair becomes the scene of a suspicious death.

The victim appears to have been poisoned, and a strange signet ring leads Eleanor and Hugh into a much older mystery. Before they can unravel it, another body turns up.

So if you’re caught up through Murder Stage Left, this is the next book to put on your reading list.

Do You Need to Read Verity Bright’s Books in Order?

Yes, I’d recommend it.

The Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries are individual murder cases, so you can generally understand the mystery in each book. However, Eleanor’s personal life develops throughout the series, and later books build on her relationships, travels, and family history.

Starting with A Very English Murder also gives you the proper introduction to Eleanor, Gladstone, Clifford, and the world of Henley Hall.

By the later books, Eleanor’s relationship with Hugh and the mystery surrounding her family become increasingly important. So while you can jump around, reading in order gives you more of the character-development experience.

Where Should You Start With Verity Bright?

If you’re completely new to Verity Bright, start with:

A Very English Murder

It’s the natural starting point because it’s Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #1 and introduces the entire premise.

If you’re already familiar with the series but want a particular type of setting, you can also choose based on your mood:

• Classic English setting: A Very English Murder
• Christmas/winter: Murder in the Snow or Death on a Winter’s Day
• International travel: The French for Murder, Murder in Manhattan, A Death in Venice, or Murder on the Nile
• Ireland: Murder in an Irish Castle or A Very Irish Mystery
• Paris: Death at a Paris Hotel
• Theater: Murder Stage Left
• Upcoming Christmas mystery: Murder at the Winter Fair

But if you haven’t read any of them, I’d still start at Book 1.

Are the Verity Bright Books Connected?

Yes. All of the books listed by the author and publisher belong to the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.

The books follow Eleanor’s continuing adventures rather than functioning as completely unrelated standalone mysteries.

One of the most noticeable developments is Eleanor’s personal life. As the series progresses, Hugh Seldon becomes increasingly important, while Clifford and Gladstone remain familiar companions.

The locations also change considerably. What begins as a very English historical cozy mystery gradually takes Eleanor to France, Ireland, America, Italy, Egypt, Paris, and other locations.

How Many Verity Bright Books Are There?

As of September 2026, there are 26 published Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery books.

The 26th book, Murder Stage Left, was published on August 26, 2026. The 27th book, Murder at the Winter Fair, is scheduled for December 9, 2026.

So if you’re searching for the complete Verity Bright books in order, the current list extends to 27 books when the upcoming title is included.

Verity Bright Books at a Glance

Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery

1. A Very English Murder — 2020
2. Death at the Dance — 2020
3. A Witness to Murder — 2020
4. Murder in the Snow — 2020
5. Mystery by the Sea — 2021
6. Murder at the Fair — 2021
7. A Lesson in Murder — 2021
8. Death on a Winter’s Day — 2021
9. A Royal Murder — 2022
10. The French for Murder — 2022
11. Death Down the Aisle — 2022
12. Murder in an Irish Castle — 2022
13. Death on Deck — 2023
14. Murder in Manhattan — 2023
15. Murder by Invitation — 2023
16. Murder on the Cornish Cliffs — 2023
17. A Death in Venice — 2024
18. Murder in Mayfair — 2024
19. Murder on the Nile — 2024
20. A Midwinter Murder — 2024
21. A Recipe for Murder — 2025
22. Death at a Paris Hotel — 2025
23. Murder at the Royal Palace — 2025
24. Murder on a Frosty Night — 2025
25. A Very Irish Mystery — 2026
26. Murder Stage Left — 2026
27. Murder at the Winter Fair — December 9, 2026 — upcoming

The author and Bookouture currently list these books under the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first Verity Bright book?

The first Verity Bright book is A Very English Murder, published in 2020. It is also Book 1 of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.

How many Lady Eleanor Swift books are there?

There are 26 published books as of September 2026, with Book 27, Murder at the Winter Fair, scheduled for December 9, 2026.

What is the latest Verity Bright book?

The latest published book is Murder Stage Left, which was released on August 26, 2026.

What is the next Verity Bright book?

The next book is Murder at the Winter Fair, scheduled for December 9, 2026. It will be Book 27 in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.

Is Verity Bright a real person?

Verity Bright is a pseudonym used by a husband-and-wife writing partnership. According to Bookouture, the couple have worked together for more than 25 years and previously wrote travel, self-improvement, and humor books before creating the Verity Bright name.

What genre are Verity Bright books?

The Lady Eleanor Swift books are historical cozy mysteries, set primarily in the 1920s.

Do you have to read Lady Eleanor Swift books in order?

You can read individual mysteries on their own, but reading them in order is recommended because Eleanor’s relationships, family history, and personal story develop throughout the series.

Who is Lady Eleanor Swift?

Lady Eleanor Swift is the central amateur sleuth of the series. She is an adventurous aristocrat who becomes involved in murder investigations while traveling around England and abroad. Her bulldog Gladstone is one of her most recognizable companions.

What should I read after A Very English Murder?

The next book is Death at the Dance, followed by A Witness to Murder and Murder in the Snow. Those first four books establish the series before Eleanor’s adventures become increasingly international.

Final Thoughts

The nice thing about Verity Bright’s bibliography is that you don’t need to spend time figuring out which series comes first—the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery books are one continuous series.

So, if you’ve been staring at a list of more than two dozen titles wondering where to begin, simply start with A Very English Murder and follow the numbered order. From Henley Hall to Paris, Venice, New York, Ireland, Egypt, and beyond, Eleanor’s adventures become increasingly wide-ranging without losing the cozy historical-mystery feel that makes the series work.

And if you’re already caught up, Murder at the Winter Fair is the next one to watch for on December 9, 2026.

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.