Aurora Teagarden Books in Order

Charlaine Harris, a #1 New York Times bestselling author born November 25, 1951, in Tunica, Mississippi, is renowned for her Southern Vampire Mysteries (adapted into HBO’s True Blood) and her knack for blending mystery with small-town charm. A Rhodes College graduate, Harris began with poetry and plays before turning to novels, creating the Aurora Teagarden series, a cozy mystery collection featuring a librarian-turned-sleuth. Launched in 1990 with Real Murders, nominated for a 1990 Agatha Award, the series spans 10 novels, published from 1990 to 2017, and has been adapted into 21 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries films (2015–2024), starring Candace Cameron Bure and later Skyler Samuels. Set in Lawrenceton, Georgia, the series follows Aurora “Roe” Teagarden, a sharp-witted librarian and Real Murders Club member, as she solves crimes with Southern hospitality. This article lists all Aurora Teagarden books in publication order, with summaries, publication details, and reading guidance.

Why Read the Aurora Teagarden Series?

The Aurora Teagarden series offers cozy mysteries filled with quirky characters, intricate plots, and a small-town backdrop, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple or Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. Roe, a 28-year-old librarian when introduced, evolves through romance, career shifts, and personal losses, making her a relatable and enduring sleuth. The Real Murders Club, a group of true-crime enthusiasts, adds a unique hook, blending historical cases with fresh murders. Each book is a standalone mystery but follows Roe’s life arc, making publication order ideal for character development and avoiding spoilers. With 10 novels, the series is compact yet engaging, earning praise for its “delightful” pacing and Southern charm. Hallmark’s adaptations, though set in Washington and diverging in tone, have boosted its popularity.

Aurora Teagarden Books in Publication Order

The Aurora Teagarden series comprises 10 novels, published by publishers like Berkley, St. Martin’s Minotaur, and Walker, available in hardcover ($20–28), paperback, e-book, audiobook (narrated by Therese Plummer), and Kindle Unlimited. One short story, Deeply Dead (1998), appears in the anthology Murder, They Wrote. Below is the complete list in publication order, which aligns with chronological order. No new books are planned as of May 11, 2025.

1. Real Murders (December 1990, Walker, ISBN: 0-8027-5769-3)
   Aurora “Roe” Teagarden, a 28-year-old librarian in Lawrenceton, Georgia, hosts the Real Murders Club, a group of 12 true-crime enthusiasts. When a member is killed in a staged scene mimicking the club’s discussion topic, Roe suspects a copycat killer within the group. With detective Arthur Smith and writer Robin Crusoe, she races to unmask the murderer before more club members die. Nominated for the 1990 Agatha Award (3.69/5, 36,556 Goodreads ratings).
2. A Bone to Pick (October 1992, Walker, ISBN: 0-8027-1245-2)
   Roe inherits a fortune, jewelry, and a house from deceased Real Murders Club member Jane Engle, but finds a skull hidden in a window seat. Suspecting Jane left her a murder to solve, Roe investigates the victim’s identity and Lawrenceton’s secrets, unaware the killer is watching. A cozy shift to Roe’s independence (3.76/5, 25,405 Goodreads ratings).
3. Three Bedrooms, One Corpse (June 1994, Worldwide, ISBN: 0-373-26136-5)
   Roe tries real estate with her mother, Aida, but her first house showing reveals a naked corpse. When a second body appears in another property, Roe realizes a cunning killer targets the real estate scene, possibly her. She digs into clients and colleagues to stop the murders. A darker mystery (3.82/5, 21,471 Goodreads ratings).
4. The Julius House (October 1994, Scribner, ISBN: 0-684-19686-7)
   Newlywed to wealthy Martin Bartell, Roe buys the Julius House, where a family vanished years ago. Her curiosity leads her to investigate the disappearance, but an ax-wielding attacker threatens her life, hinting at secrets tied to Martin’s past. A blend of romance and suspense (3.85/5, 19,308 Goodreads ratings).
5. Dead Over Heels (October 1996, Scribner, ISBN: 0-684-80429-8)
   Roe’s nemesis, Detective Jack Burns, is found dead in her yard, dropped from a plane. As strange incidents target her friends, Roe investigates her inner circle, uncovering grudges and hidden motives. A quirky, fast-paced whodunit (3.79/5, 17,548 Goodreads ratings).
6. A Fool and His Honey (February 1999, St. Martin’s Minotaur, ISBN: 0-312-20036-6)
   Martin’s niece, Regina, arrives unannounced with a baby and her husband, Craig, who’s soon found ax-murdered outside Roe’s home. Regina vanishes, leaving the baby. Roe and Martin travel to snowy Corinth, Ohio, to trace Regina’s past, risking their lives to uncover the truth. A chilling adventure (3.78/5, 16,297 Goodreads ratings).
7. Last Scene Alive (August 2002, St. Martin’s Minotaur, ISBN: 0-312-26246-9)
   A film crew arrives in Lawrenceton to adapt Roe and Robin Crusoe’s past murder case, stirring tension with Roe’s stepson and an actress playing her. When bodies drop, Roe investigates, facing a vicious killer amid movie-set chaos. A meta-mystery (3.83/5, 15,478 Goodreads ratings).
8. Poppy Done to Death (August 2003, St. Martin’s Minotaur, ISBN: 0-312-27246-9)
   Roe’s sister-in-law, Poppy, is murdered on the day she’s set to join the Uppity Women Book Club. With Poppy’s infidelity fueling suspects, Roe digs into her secrets, balancing her romance with Arthur Smith and dodging a killer. A heartfelt finale to the original run (3.89/5, 16,207 Goodreads ratings).
9. All the Little Liars (October 2016, Minotaur Books, ISBN: 978-1-250-09006-5)
   After a 13-year hiatus, Roe, now married to Robin Crusoe, faces a crisis when her 15-year-old brother, Phillip, and three other teens vanish from a soccer field. A dead body surfaces, and Roe and Robin investigate, uncovering Lawrenceton’s dark secrets. A thrilling return (3.83/5, 10,245 Goodreads ratings).
10. Sleep Like a Baby (September 2017, Minotaur Books, ISBN: 978-1-250-09006-5)
    Roe, now a mother, wakes during a storm to find her nanny, Virginia, missing and a stranger’s body outside. With her baby, Sophie, in danger, Roe probes Virginia’s disappearance and the murder, racing to protect her family. The series’ final novel (3.89/5, 9,258 Goodreads ratings).

Short Story

11. Deeply Dead (October 1998, Murder, They Wrote anthology, Boulevard, ISBN: 1-57297-332-3)
    Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote) visits Roe’s library for a reading, but a murder in the stacks forces Roe and Jessica to team up. A standalone crossover, best read after Dead Over Heels (5) for Roe’s context (3.75/5 anthology Goodreads rating).

Omnibus Editions

• The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 1 (2010, Gollancz, ISBN: 978-0-575-09473-4)
  Collects Real Murders (1), A Bone to Pick (2), Three Bedrooms, One Corpse (3), and The Julius House (4).
• The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 2 (2011, Gollancz, ISBN: 978-0-575-09474-1)
  Collects Dead Over Heels (5), A Fool and His Honey (6), Last Scene Alive (7), and Poppy Done to Death (8).
• The Dawn of Aurora Teagarden (2012, Gollancz, ISBN: 978-0-575-09475-8)
  Collects Real Murders (1), A Bone to Pick (2), and Three Bedrooms, One Corpse (3).

Reading the Aurora Teagarden Series: Tips and Guidance

• Reading Order: Read the 10 novels in publication order (1–10) for Roe’s evolving life—single librarian to married mother—and to avoid spoilers about relationships (e.g., Martin, Robin) and plot twists. Each mystery is self-contained, but personal arcs progress chronologically. The short story Deeply Dead (11) is optional, best read after Dead Over Heels (5) for context.
• Omnibus Editions: Use Omnibus 1 and 2 for cost-effective reading of books 1–8, or The Dawn of Aurora Teagarden for the first three. These are reprints, not new stories.
• Content: Cozy mysteries with moderate violence (murders, stabbings), light romance (2/5 spice per romance.io), and themes of community, betrayal, and resilience. Suitable for ages 14+. Trigger warnings for infidelity (Poppy Done to Death), child abduction (All the Little Liars), and pregnancy complications (Sleep Like a Baby).
• Starting Point: Begin with Real Murders (1) for Roe’s introduction and the Real Murders Club’s charm (36,000+ Goodreads ratings). A Bone to Pick (2) is a lighter entry, and All the Little Liars (9) suits fans of intense stakes.
• Hallmark Adaptations: The 21 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries films (2015–2024) adapt select books but shift settings (Lawrenceton, Washington), tone (cheerier), and plots. Start with A Bone to Pick (2015, based on book 2) or Real Murders (2015, book 1). Watch in release order for character arcs, noting Candace Cameron Bure stars in 18 films, with Skyler Samuels in the final three (ScreenRant). Read books first to avoid spoilers, as films reorder events.
• Compared to Other Harris Series: Unlike the darker Sookie Stackhouse (vampires) or Lily Bard (trauma-heavy), Aurora Teagarden is light and “straight-laced,” ideal for cozy mystery fans.
• Availability: All books are widely available, but early editions (Real Murders, A Bone to Pick) may be pricier in print. E-books and audiobooks are accessible via Kindle, Audible, and libraries (ThriftBooks).

Where to Find Aurora Teagarden Books

Available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, audiobook, and large print through:

• Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, World of Books.
• Libraries: Most stock Real Murders, A Bone to Pick, and Sleep Like a Baby via Libby or OverDrive (OverDrive).
• Digital Platforms: Kindle, Audible, Kobo. Many on Kindle Unlimited (Amazon.com). Audiobooks by Recorded Books, Inc., feature Therese Plummer (Speechify).
• Official Website: charlaineharris.com for book lists, news, and signed copies. Harris’ Facebook (@CharlaineHarrisAuthor) and X (@CharlaineHarris) share updates (CharlaineHarris.com).
• Secondhand: ThriftBooks, World of Books for used copies ($3–10). Free U.S. shipping on orders over $15 (ThriftBooks). Rare hardcovers on eBay (WorldOfBooks).

Why the Aurora Teagarden Series Resonates

The Aurora Teagarden series, with Real Murders earning 3.69/5 from 36,000+ Goodreads ratings and Sleep Like a Baby at 3.89/5, captivates for its “charming” protagonist and “intriguing” puzzles. Harris’ Southern roots—raised in the Mississippi Delta—infuse Lawrenceton’s authenticity, while Roe’s wit and curiosity mirror readers’ sleuthing desires. Fans on X praise the series’ cozy vibe and Roe’s growth, though some note repetitive romantic subplots. Harris, a mother of three living in Arkansas, also wrote Sookie Stackhouse and Lily Bard, but Aurora remains her lightest, earning an Agatha nomination and Hallmark’s enduring adaptations.

Final Thoughts

Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden series, from Real Murders (1990) to Sleep Like a Baby (2017), delivers 10 cozy mysteries brimming with small-town intrigue and Roe’s amateur sleuthing. Read in publication order (1–10) for Roe’s journey from librarian to mother, with Deeply Dead (11) as a fun crossover. Start with Real Murders for the Real Murders Club’s debut or A Bone to Pick for a standalone vibe. Pair with Hallmark’s 21 films for a visual treat, but prioritize books for Harris’ original vision. Available widely, the series’ “wonderfully cozy” charm invites readers into Lawrenceton’s secrets. For fans of light mysteries, Roe’s adventures are a perfect escape.