🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Gayle Trent
After stepping out of the long daily commutes of her previous jobs, that took her away from her family, she has found the space to combine great ‘cosy mystery’ story writing with the hobbies that she gets so much joy out of. Each of her well thought out novels consists of a strong female character that is usually involved in something normal when a crime strikes in such a way that they have to get involved. These characters have been expertly brought to life using thoughtful back stories, conversations that show their emotional sides and their genius thought processes to solve the various mysteries. The Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series Take for example the first book of the series ‘Murder Takes the Cake’ where Daphne has just opened her Cake business.
All Book Series by Gayle Trent
Hightail It to Kinsey Falls
Series opener · book 1 of 3 · published 2012 Pen name · Gayle Leeson
Putting Down Roots in Kinsey Falls
Book 2 of 3 · published 2018 Pen name · Gayle Leeson
Sleighing It in Kinsey Falls
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 2018 Pen name · Gayle Leeson
A Crafty Killing
Series opener · book 1 of 10 · published 2010 Anthology · Lorraine Bartlett
Dead, Bath, and Beyond
Book 4 of 10 · published 2016 Anthology · Laurie Cass,Lorraine Bartlett
Yule Be Dead
Book 5 of 10 · published 2018 Pen name · Gayle Leeson, With: Lorraine Bartlett
Murder Ink
Book 6 of 10 · published 2019 Pen name · Gayle Leeson, With: Lorraine Bartlett
A Murderous Misconception
Book 7 of 10 · published 2020 Pen name · Gayle Leeson, With: Lorraine Bartlett
Dead Man's Hand
Book 8 of 10 · published 2021 Pen name · Gayle Leeson, With: Lorraine Bartlett
A Lethal Lake Effect
Book 9 of 10 · published 2024 Anthology · Lorraine Bartlett
A Fatal Exhibition
Latest in the series · book 10 of 10 · published 2026 Anthology · Lorraine Bartlett
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gayle Trent?
After stepping out of the long daily commutes of her previous jobs, that took her away from her family, she has found the space to combine great 'cosy mystery’ story writing with the hobbies that she gets so much joy out of. Each of her well thought out novels consists of a strong female character that is usually involved in something normal when a crime strikes in such a way that they have to get involved. These characters have been expertly brought to life using thoughtful back stories, conversations that show their emotional sides and their genius thought processes to solve the various mysteries.
Which Gayle Trent series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Myrtle Crumb series, the earliest of Gayle Trent's multi-book series: it opens with Between a Clutch and a Hard Place (2004) and runs to 6 books across 2004–2015, ending with The Party Line (2015). Gayle Trent's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has Gayle Trent written?
Gayle Trent has 73 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1999 and 2026. 64 of them belong to 10 named series — the largest being the Embroidery Mysteries series with 10 books — and 9 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Gayle Trent's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Gayle Trent's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Myrtle Crumb (2004–2015, 6 books), Daphne Martin Mystery (2008–2015, 5 books) and Embroidery Mysteries (2010–2016, 10 books), plus 6 more.
How are Gayle Trent's books organised into series?
This guide splits Gayle Trent's 73 books into 10 named series and 9 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Embroidery Mysteries (10 books, 2010–2016); Victoria Square Mystery (10 books, 2010–2026); Down South Café Mystery (9 books, 2016–2026); Ghostly Fashionista Mystery (7 books, 2019–2026); Myrtle Crumb (6 books, 2004–2015), plus 5 further series.