Vicki Delany Books in Order: Sherlock Holmes, Tea by the Sea, Christmas Mysteries, and More

Vicki Delany is a Canadian mystery author whose books range from charming small-town murder mysteries to darker suspense and police procedurals. Some of her series revolve around bookshops, libraries, tea rooms, and Christmas-loving towns, while others take readers to British Columbia or the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.

With so many series, choosing the right reading order can be confusing. This guide organizes her books by series and publication order, includes her Eva Gates novels, and separates her standalone suspense titles and adult-literacy books. It reflects books published through October 2026 and identifies a forthcoming title separately.

1. Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries in Order

The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries are among Delany’s best-known cozy mystery series. The stories follow Gemma Doyle, an observant woman who owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in West London, Cape Cod, alongside her friend Jayne Wilson, who runs Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room.

Gemma’s knowledge of Sherlock Holmes and her talent for spotting details repeatedly draw her into murder investigations. The books combine classic detective references, bookstore atmosphere, quirky suspects, and small-town relationships.

1. Elementary, She Read (2017)

Gemma Doyle discovers a rare and valuable magazine connected to Sherlock Holmes, setting off a mystery that introduces her sharp observational skills and the bookshop’s distinctive world.

2. Body on Baker Street (2017)

Gemma and Jayne find themselves involved in another murder investigation as the bookshop and adjoining tea room continue to attract an eclectic mix of visitors.

3. The Cat of the Baskervilles (2018)

When Jayne’s mother becomes a murder suspect, Gemma must sort through the evidence and the people surrounding the case. The title plays on Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous The Hound of the Baskervilles.

4. A Scandal in Scarlet (2018)

Gemma’s powers of observation are tested by another case involving secrets, suspicious behavior, and the complicated social world surrounding the bookshop.

5. There’s a Murder Afoot (2020)

Gemma and her circle travel to London, where the familiar Sherlockian atmosphere gives way to a new mystery. The trip offers a change of setting while keeping the series’ classic-detective spirit.

6. A Curious Incident (2021)

A new case gives Gemma plenty of details to examine and possible suspects to eliminate. The title echoes one of the most recognizable phrases associated with Sherlock Holmes.

7. A Three Book Problem (2022)

Gemma and Jayne face another puzzling case as the tourist season winds down in West London, Cape Cod. Gemma’s sister, Pippa, also plays a role in this installment.

8. The Game Is a Footnote (2023)

The eighth book introduces another twist to Gemma’s world, including the arrival of her sister. Fans of the series’ Holmes references and tightly constructed puzzles will recognize its familiar appeal.

9. The Sign of Four Spirits (2024)

This installment draws on the atmosphere of Sherlock Holmes and the occult. It combines classic detective references with another murder mystery for Gemma and her companions to solve.

10. The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime (2025)

Gemma returns for another case in which the clues and motive are not immediately obvious. The book continues the series’ combination of literary references, suspicious characters, and cozy Cape Cod surroundings.

11. The Devil in the Details (2026)

Birthday celebrations for Jayne take a deadly turn, leaving Gemma with a murder to investigate. As the eleventh published mystery, it is the latest released entry in the series as of October 2026.

12. A Murder Most Irregular (2027, forthcoming)

This title is scheduled for publication in January 2027 by Crooked Lane Books. Because it has not yet been published as of October 2026, it belongs on the upcoming-books list rather than the completed reading list.

Recommended reading order: Read the series from Elementary, She Read through The Devil in the Details, then continue with A Murder Most Irregular when it is released.

2. Tea by the Sea Mysteries in Order

The Tea by the Sea series is ideal for readers who enjoy culinary cozies, charming coastal settings, and small-town mysteries. The books follow Lily Roberts, who runs a tearoom on Cape Cod with her grandmother, Rose, while family and community relationships often become tangled up in murder investigations.

1. Tea & Treachery (2020)

Lily Roberts and her grandmother operate a Cape Cod tearoom where food, family, and friendship are part of everyday life. A murder disrupts the peaceful setting and gives Lily a mystery to investigate.

2. Murder in a Teacup (2021)

Lily returns to the tearoom and finds herself surrounded by suspects and red herrings. The novel combines a scenic coastal atmosphere with tea, baked treats, and a murder that threatens the community’s calm.

3. Murder Spills the Tea (2022)

A new case brings more secrets to light as Lily follows clues and tries to separate genuine evidence from misleading leads. Food and the tearoom remain central to the series’ cozy appeal.

4. Steeped in Malice (2023)

Lily becomes involved in another mystery in which personal grievances and suspicious behavior complicate the investigation. The novel continues the series’ mix of small-town relationships and culinary details.

5. Trouble Is Brewing (2024)

Lily’s world becomes unsettled by another case, requiring her to pay attention to the people around her as well as the evidence. The story continues the series’ blend of tea-room charm and murder investigation.

6. Tea with Jam & Dread (2025)

Lily and her familiar circle return for a new mystery set against the series’ Cape Cod backdrop. The title reflects the books’ characteristic mix of food-related humor and crime.

7. Bubble, Bubble, Tea & Trouble (2026)

When Lily discovers a group of women conducting a séance in her grandmother’s Victorian bed-and-breakfast, she has no idea how much trouble the gathering will create. The latest published installment brings an unusual gathering, secrets, and a new mystery into Lily’s world.

Recommended reading order: Start with Tea & Treachery and read through Bubble, Bubble, Tea & Trouble in publication order.

3. Year-Round Christmas Mysteries in Order

In the Year-Round Christmas series, the fictional town of Rudolph, New York, celebrates Christmas throughout the year. The series follows Merry Wilkinson, who runs a Christmas-themed shop and becomes involved in murder investigations despite the town’s festive spirit.

These books are a natural choice for readers who like holiday cozies but do not want to limit their Christmas reading to December.

1. Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (2015)

Merry Wilkinson owns Mrs. Claus’s Treasures in Rudolph, a town where Christmas is a year-round way of life. When a murder threatens the community’s holiday cheer, Merry finds herself drawn into the investigation.

2. We Wish You a Murderous Christmas (2016)

The town’s Christmas atmosphere is disrupted by a new crime. Merry must help untangle the suspects and motives while the community tries to preserve its festive traditions.

3. Hark the Herald Angels Slay (2017)

Santa’s summer vacation plans turn deadly in this installment. The story brings holiday humor and a murder investigation together in a town that celebrates Christmas in every season.

4. Silent Night, Deadly Night (2019)

A group of visitors threatens Rudolph’s peaceful Christmas spirit in the fourth mystery. Merry must work through the trouble surrounding the visitors while keeping her community’s traditions alive.

5. Dying in a Winter Wonderland (2020)

Christmas in Rudolph brings its usual festivities, but a murder turns the season into a mystery. Merry must look beyond the town’s cheerful surface to find the truth.

6. Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (2023)

Merry returns for another holiday-themed case in which the town’s familiar traditions cannot keep danger away. This installment continues the series’ combination of festive atmosphere and cozy crime.

7. A Slay Ride Together with You (2024)

Rudolph’s Christmas-themed community provides the backdrop for another murder mystery. Amateur theatrics and a fresh set of complications make this a natural continuation of Merry’s adventures.

8. O, Deadly Night (2025)

During the town’s December Santa Claus parade, a new murder threatens the holiday festivities. Merry must help uncover what happened while Rudolph prepares for its annual celebration.

9. ‘Tis the Season to Be Scary (2026)

The ninth book continues the series’ year-round Christmas setting and its mix of holiday charm, suspicious characters, and murder. It was published in 2026 and is the latest released entry in the series as of October 2026.

Recommended reading order: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen, We Wish You a Murderous Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Slay, Silent Night, Deadly Night, Dying in a Winter Wonderland, Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas, A Slay Ride Together with You, O, Deadly Night, and ‘Tis the Season to Be Scary.

4. Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates in Order

Vicki Delany writes the Lighthouse Library Mysteries under the pen name Eva Gates. The series is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and follows librarian Lucy McNeil, whose work at a lighthouse library repeatedly brings her into contact with murder mysteries.

These novels are especially appealing to readers who like libraries, bookish characters, coastal settings, and traditional cozy mysteries.

1. By Book or By Crook (2015)

Lucy Richardson takes a position at a library housed in a lighthouse on the Outer Banks. When a murder occurs, her new life becomes much more complicated than she expected.

2. Booked for Trouble (2015)

Lucy becomes involved in another mystery as she settles into her library role and the local community. The book continues the series’ combination of literary atmosphere and coastal coziness.

3. Reading Up a Storm (2016)

A new case brings danger and suspicious characters into Lucy’s world. The lighthouse library remains central to the setting as she tries to work out what really happened.

4. The Spook in the Stacks (2018)

The fourth installment adds another murder mystery to Lucy’s life at the library. The title hints at the series’ playful relationship with books, libraries, and classic mystery tropes.

5. Something Read, Something Dead (2019)

A wedding-related mystery threatens to turn a family celebration into a tragedy. Lucy must help uncover the truth before the situation becomes even more complicated.

6. Read and Buried (2019)

Historical injustices, codebreaking, and a collection of possible suspects come together in this installment. Lucy finds that the past can be just as important to a murder investigation as the clues in front of her.

7. A Death Long Overdue (2020)

Another case challenges Lucy and the people around the lighthouse library. The novel continues the series’ emphasis on clever plotting and the eccentric characters who make up its coastal community.

8. Deadly Ever After (2021)

Lucy faces another mystery involving competing motives and unexpected turns. The book continues the series’ mix of romance, community relationships, and murder investigation.

9. Death by Beach Read (2022)

Lucy becomes involved in a new mystery in the Outer Banks, where the coastal setting and literary world remain part of the story’s appeal.

10. Death Knells and Wedding Bells (2023)

Lucy and Connor’s wedding plans should make for a happy occasion, but a missing guest and a strangled body disrupt the celebration. Lucy must find the killer while dealing with the complications surrounding her own big day.

11. A Stranger in the Library (2024)

Lucy investigates another case involving the library and its community. Art, secrets, and suspicious behavior contribute to the mystery.

12. Shot Through the Book (2025)

Lucy returns for the twelfth Lighthouse Library mystery. As the familiar cast encounters another case, the book continues the series’ blend of library life, coastal charm, and murder.

13. Whose Body in the Library (2026)

The thirteenth installment introduces a new librarian whose first day takes a terrible turn when a dead body is found on the library’s front steps. This marks a significant change for the long-running series while keeping the lighthouse library setting at its center.

Recommended reading order: Read the Eva Gates novels from By Book or By Crook through Whose Body in the Library. The series has recurring characters and relationships, so publication order is the most rewarding approach.

5. Constable Molly Smith Books in Order

The Constable Molly Smith series is a police procedural set in Trafalgar, a fictional town in the British Columbia Interior. It follows Molly Smith, a young police constable, and Detective Sergeant John Winters as they investigate crimes in a community where personal relationships often complicate police work.

These books have a more serious tone than Delany’s cozy mystery series, with greater emphasis on police procedure and the impact of crime on a community.

1. In the Shadow of the Glacier (2007)

Molly Smith begins her police career in Trafalgar, where a murder investigation draws her into a case involving the town’s past and present. The novel introduces the characters and setting that anchor the series.

2. Valley of the Lost (2009)

Molly and her colleagues investigate another crime in the British Columbia Interior. The case tests the police team’s ability to work through conflicting accounts and hidden motives.

3. Winter of Secrets (2009)

A winter setting provides the backdrop for a case that brings personal relationships and police investigation into close contact. The novel continues Molly’s development as a police officer.

4. Negative Image (2010)

Molly faces another investigation in which appearances can be misleading. The story continues the series’ interest in the private lives and complicated histories of people living in a small community.

5. Among the Departed (2011)

A new case forces Molly and the team to examine what people have concealed and why. The novel develops the series’ recurring characters while giving the police procedural a fresh mystery.

6. A Cold White Sun (2013)

Molly and John Winters confront another serious case in Trafalgar. The investigation draws on the series’ focus on police work, community tensions, and the consequences of long-held secrets.

7. Under Cold Stone (2014)

Another investigation tests Molly’s judgment and the team’s ability to separate assumptions from evidence. The book continues the series’ darker, more procedural approach.

8. Unreasonable Doubt (2016)

The eighth novel brings another case to Molly and her colleagues. It is the final book in the commonly listed eight-book Constable Molly Smith sequence.

Recommended reading order: Begin with In the Shadow of the Glacier and continue through Unreasonable Doubt.

6. Klondike Gold Rush Mysteries in Order

The Klondike Gold Rush series takes readers to Dawson City, Yukon, during the 1898 gold rush. Its central character, Fiona MacGillivray, is a determined woman with a flair for self-promotion who must navigate the dangerous, competitive world of a boomtown.

The historical setting makes this series quite different from Delany’s contemporary cozy mysteries.

1. Gold Digger (2009)

Fiona MacGillivray arrives in the rough-and-tumble world of Dawson City during the Klondike Gold Rush. Her ambitions and quick thinking help her navigate a place filled with fortune seekers and danger.

2. Gold Fever (2010)

Fiona’s life in the Yukon continues as the gold rush brings new opportunities and complications. The story explores the risks and ambitions that shape life in the fast-growing town.

3. Gold Mountain (2012)

The series returns to the world of Dawson City, where Fiona faces another set of challenges. The historical setting remains central to the story’s mix of adventure, crime, and personal ambition.

4. Gold Web (2014)

Fiona’s story continues in the final novel of the commonly listed four-book sequence. The book completes this chapter of Delany’s historical mystery series.

Recommended reading order: Gold Digger, Gold Fever, Gold Mountain, and Gold Web.

7. Catskill Summer Resort Mysteries in Order

This historical mystery series takes place in the Catskills during the 1950s. It follows Elizabeth Grady, a resort manager who must handle the demands of running a summer destination while dealing with murder and suspicious guests.

1. Deadly Summer Nights (2021)

The summer of 1953 at a Catskills resort takes a dark turn when a guest is murdered. Elizabeth Grady must investigate the crime while managing the resort and its collection of guests.

2. Deadly Director’s Cut (2022)

Elizabeth returns for another case in the nostalgic world of Catskills resorts. A murder brings new complications, and she must think quickly to identify the killer.

Recommended reading order: Read Deadly Summer Nights before Deadly Director’s Cut.

8. Ashley Grant Mysteries in Order

The Ashley Grant books are short mysteries published through Orca’s Rapid Reads program, which creates accessible books for adults who prefer shorter reading experiences. The stories are set in the Caribbean and follow Ashley Grant in a world of crime and local intrigue.

1. White Sand Blues (2017)

This book introduces the Ashley Grant mystery sequence and its Caribbean setting. It is a short, accessible entry point into Delany’s crime fiction.

2. Blue Water Hues (2018)

The next installment continues Ashley Grant’s adventures, with another mystery in the series’ coastal setting.

3. Coral Reef Views (2020)

The third book adds another case to the Ashley Grant sequence. Like the earlier titles, it is designed as a shorter, accessible mystery.

Recommended reading order: White Sand Blues, Blue Water Hues, and Coral Reef Views.

9. Ray Robertson Books in Order

These shorter works were published as part of the adult-literacy collection associated with Orca’s Rapid Reads program. They are sometimes grouped under Ray Robertson in bibliographic listings, although the titles are not a conventional long-form mystery series in the same sense as Delany’s other novels.

1. Juba Good (2014)

A short work designed for adult readers who prefer accessible, concise fiction.

2. Haitian Graves (2015)

The next title in this group continues the accessible-reading approach with another crime-focused story.

3. Blood and Belonging (2017)

This later title rounds out the commonly listed Ray Robertson sequence.

Reading order: Juba Good, Haitian Graves, and Blood and Belonging.

10. Vicki Delany Standalone Novels in Order

Delany’s standalone fiction includes psychological suspense and domestic thrillers, a change of pace from her cozier mystery series. These books can be read independently and do not require knowledge of her recurring characters.

1. Whiteout (2000)

An early standalone title listed in Delany’s bibliography. Readers exploring her full career may wish to include it when compiling her older suspense work.

2. Scare the Light Away (2005)

Rebecca McKenzie returns to her hometown after her mother’s death, expecting a short visit. Her mother’s diaries and the disappearance of a young girl force Rebecca to revisit painful family history while trying to understand what has happened.

3. Burden of Memory (2006)

Elaine Benson, a novelist whose career and personal life have taken difficult turns, accepts a job helping a wealthy older woman document her life. The project becomes more dangerous when Elaine discovers that the previous writer hired for the task died under suspicious circumstances.

4. Murder at Lost Dog Lake (2011)

This title appears in Delany’s standalone bibliography. Readers looking for her early crime fiction can include it alongside her other separately listed novels.

5. More Than Sorrow (2012; republished 2025)

Hannah Manning, a former war correspondent living with a traumatic brain injury, retreats to her sister’s farm in Ontario. Old letters, disturbing visions, and a connection to the area’s history lead her into a mystery that blurs the line between memory and reality.

Recommended reading order: These novels are independent, so publication order is a convenient way to explore Delany’s earlier suspense fiction.

11. A Winter Kill and Other Shorter Works

Delany has also written shorter fiction and contributed to anthologies. These works are worth noting for readers who want to explore more than her major series.

A Winter Kill (2012)

A Winter Kill is a novella associated with Delany’s adult-literacy fiction. It is a shorter reading option for readers who want to sample her work without starting a full-length novel.

Anthologies

Some bibliographies list the following anthology titles among Delany’s contributions or associated publications:

• 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror (2012)
• The Whole She-Bang (2012)
• Bound by Mystery (2017)

Anthology listings can refer to a collection rather than a solo-authored novel. Check the contents and author credits before treating one of these books as a standalone Vicki Delany title.

12. Vicki Delany Books in Publication Order: Where to Start

Because Delany writes several distinct types of mystery, there is no single reading order that works for every reader. The easiest approach is to pick a series and follow its publication sequence.

If you want to explore her most current cozy mystery work, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Tea by the Sea series are good places to begin. Readers interested in her full range should also try the Constable Molly Smith novels and the standalone suspense books.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vicki Delany Books

How many books has Vicki Delany written?

Vicki Delany’s official biography says she has written more than 60 books. The exact total depends on whether a bibliography counts novellas, short stories, anthology contributions, and books published under her Eva Gates pen name.

What is Vicki Delany’s most popular series?

Her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Tea by the Sea Mysteries, and Year-Round Christmas Mysteries are among her best-known cozy mystery series. Her Constable Molly Smith books are a good choice for readers who prefer police procedurals.

Should I read Vicki Delany’s books in order?

Read each series in publication order if you want to follow recurring characters and their relationships. Most individual mysteries have their own central case, but returning characters and earlier events can add context.

Is Eva Gates the same author as Vicki Delany?

Yes. Eva Gates is the pen name Vicki Delany uses for the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. Those books belong in a complete Delany bibliography even though the author name on the covers differs.

What is the first Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery?

Elementary, She Read, published in 2017, is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries. It introduces Gemma Doyle and the bookshop that becomes the center of the series.

What is the first Tea by the Sea book?

Tea & Treachery, published in 2020, is the first Tea by the Sea mystery. It introduces Lily Roberts and the Cape Cod tearoom setting.

What is the first Year-Round Christmas Mystery?

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen, published in 2015, opens the series set in Rudolph, New York, where Christmas is celebrated throughout the year.

What is Vicki Delany’s latest published book?

As of October 2026, ‘Tis the Season to Be Scary is the latest released Year-Round Christmas mystery, Bubble, Bubble, Tea & Trouble is the latest Tea by the Sea novel, and Whose Body in the Library is the latest Lighthouse Library mystery. A Murder Most Irregular is scheduled for January 2027.

Does Vicki Delany write historical mysteries?

Yes. The Klondike Gold Rush series follows Fiona MacGillivray in Dawson City during the 1898 gold rush, while the Catskill Summer Resort Mysteries are set in the 1950s. Both series differ in setting and atmosphere from her contemporary cozy mysteries.

Are the Ashley Grant books part of the same series as the Constable Molly Smith novels?

No. The Ashley Grant books are a separate short-fiction sequence associated with Orca’s Rapid Reads program. The Constable Molly Smith novels are a longer police procedural series set in British Columbia.

About Vicki Delany

Vicki Delany is a Canadian crime writer known for cozy mysteries, police procedurals, psychological suspense, historical mysteries, and accessible fiction for adult readers. She has written more than 60 books and is the author behind several continuing mystery series.

Her best-known work includes the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Tea by the Sea, Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, and Constable Molly Smith novels. Under the pen name Eva Gates, she writes the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. Her stories often combine distinctive settings with memorable recurring characters and carefully constructed mysteries.

Final Note

For a book-centered cozy mystery, start with Elementary, She Read. If you prefer a tearoom setting, begin with Tea & Treachery; for Christmas all year long, choose Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. Readers who want something more serious can begin with In the Shadow of the Glacier or Scare the Light Away.

The best way to explore Vicki Delany’s large bibliography is to choose the setting and tone you enjoy most, then follow that series in publication order. Remember to include the Eva Gates books if you want a fuller picture of her work.

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.