M. C. Beaton Books in Order: From Agatha Raisin to Hamish Macbeth and Beyond

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

Let’s take a gentle stroll through the wonderfully twisty, ever-so-British lanes of M.C. Beaton’s world, where the tea is strong, the murders politely puzzling, and the detectives are as quirky as the village locals.

Whether you’re a devotee eager for a refresher or you’re toying with the idea of dipping into a Beaton series for the first time, I’ll be your book-loving guide to her life, legacy.

And, most importantly, the absolutely binge-worthy order of her major cozy mystery books.

Who Was M.C. Beaton? (And Why Do Readers Adore Her?)

Born Marion Chesney in Glasgow in 1936, M.C. Beaton was a force in the cozy mystery genre, delighting millions before her death in 2019.

She began her literary life as a journalist on Fleet Street, but her creative heart always wandered toward fiction.

Under the M.C. Beaton name (one of several pseudonyms), she penned hundreds of books, yes, hundreds, including historical romances and her two iconic mystery series: Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin.

Her heroines and heroes are not Holmes-level geniuses but “real” people who are eccentric, flawed, and (most importantly) good at getting tangled up in others’ business.

She became a certified hit on both sides of the Atlantic, with adaptations, translations, and enough loyal fans to fill every pew in Lochdubh’s little church twice over.

M. C. Beaton Books in Order – Agatha Raisin

If you love your sleuths with a side of sarcasm and a splash of gin, Agatha Raisin is your woman.

A former London PR shark with a soft spot for high heels and a low tolerance for fools, Agatha “retires” to the village of Carsely in the Cotswolds.

Retirement, of course, is short-lived. As soon as the local quiche contest leaves one judge dead, Agatha’s sleuthing adventures begin.

She’s spectacularly bad at minding her own business, hopelessly vain, and more likely to trip over the clues (and the local men) than to find the murder weapon.

But that’s what makes her so wonderfully fun, and why her books have become Acorn TV stars and perennial bestsellers.

With 36 books in total, you won’t want to miss any of them!

1. The Quiche of Death (1992)

2. The Vicious Vet (1993)

3. The Potted Gardener (1994)

4. The Walkers of Dembley (1995)

5. The Murderous Marriage (1996)

6. The Terrible Tourist (1997)

7. The Wellspring of Death (1998)

8. The Wizard of Evesham (1999)

9. The Witch of Wyckhadden (1999)

10. The Fairies of Fryfam (2000)

11. The Love from Hell (2001)

12. The Day the Floods Came (2002)

13. The Case of the Curious Curate (2003)

14. The Haunted House (2003)

15. The Deadly Dance (2004)

16. The Perfect Paragon (2005)

17. Love, Lies and Liquor (2006)

18. Kissing Christmas Goodbye (2007)

19. A Spoonful of Poison (2008)

20. There Goes the Bride (2009)

21. Busy Body (2010)

22. As The Pig Turns (2011)

23. Hiss and Hers (2012)

24. Something Borrowed, Someone Dead (2013)

25. The Blood of an Englishman (2014)

26. Dishing the Dirt (2015)

27. Pushing up Daisies (2016)

28. The Witches’ Tree (2017)

29. The Dead Ringer (2018)

30. Beating about the Bush (2019)

31. Hot to Trot (2020)*

32. Down the Hatch (2021)*

33. Devil’s Delight (2022)*

34. Dead on Target (2023)*

35. Killing Time (2024)*

36. Sugar and Spite (2025)*

* The list includes titles written or co-written with R.W. Green as the series continues in recent years. Sugar and Spite is set for release on October 14, 2025.

Do You Need to Read Agatha In Order?

Not strictly, but you’ll appreciate Agatha’s ongoing romantic disasters, personal growth (or lack thereof), and recurring village characters if you go by publication order.

The Hamish Macbeth Mysteries

Way up in the rugged Scottish Highlands, police constable Hamish Macbeth patrols Lochdubh like a ginger-haired Columbo.

He’s gentle, shrewd, and more interested in keeping the peace than tallying up arrests. His greatest crimes are probably to his own love life, which is as messy as a wet dog in a tartan kilt.

Hamish’s blend of laid-back wit and dogged investigation makes him a reader favorite, especially for those who enjoy their mysteries with breakfast scones and a bracing wind off a Scottish loch.

These cozies are full of quirky locals, deadpan humor, and clever plots.

1. Death of a Gossip (1985)

2. Death of a Cad (1987)

3. Death of an Outsider (1988)

4. Death of a Perfect Wife (1989)

5. Death of a Hussy (1990)

6. Death of a Snob (1992)

7. Death of a Prankster (1992)

8. Death of a Glutton (1993)

9. Death of a Travelling Man (1993)

10. Death of a Charming Man (1994)

11. Death of a Nag (1995)

12. Death of a Macho Man (1996)

13. Death of a Dentist (1997)

14. Death of a Scriptwriter (1998)

15. Death of an Addict (1999)

16. Death of a Dustman (2001)

17. Death of a Celebrity (2002)

18. Death of a Village (2003)

19. Death of a Poison Pen (2004)

20. Death of a Bore (2005)

21. Death of a Dreamer (2006)

22. Death of a Maid (2007)

23. Death of a Gentle Lady (2008)

24. Death of a Witch (2009)

25. Death of a Valentine (2010)

26. Death of a Chimney Sweep (2011)

27. Death of a Kingfisher (2012)

28. Death of Yesterday (2013)

29. Death of a Policeman (2014)

30. Death of a Liar (2015)

31. Death of a Nurse (2016)

32. Death of a Ghost (2017)

33. Death of an Honest Man (2018)

34. Death of a Green-Eyed Monster (2022)

35. Death of a Spy (2023)*

36. Death of a Whisker (2024)*

37. Death on the Edge (2025)*

*Starred titles were written or co-written by R.W. Green following M.C. Beaton’s death.

Can You Jump In Anywhere?

You can, but it’s far more enjoyable to see how Hamish’s relationships (and love triangles) develop over time.

His on-again, off-again romances, his long-standing friendship with his dog, and his ongoing battles with bureaucracy are treats for loyal readers.

Other Major Series by M.C. Beaton

While Agatha and Hamish are the headline acts, Beaton wrote several other popular historical and romantic mystery series under both her real name and pen names.

The Travelling Matchmaker: Regency romance adventures with Miss Hannah Pym, beginning with Emily Goes to Exeter (1990).

The Six Sisters: Six Regency sisters navigate love, scandal, and society.

The Daughters of Mannerling: Six daughters, six books, and the family’s beloved estate.

Edwardian Murder Mysteries: Featuring Lady Rose Summer, Edwardian England’s answer to the amateur sleuth.

Each of these series has its own distinct flavor with more romance, costume balls, and carriage rides than dead bodies, but the same warmth and wit that define Beaton’s writing.

The Secret To Success

Let’s be honest: M.C. Beaton’s books aren’t about high-octane car chases or gun-slinging cowboys.

They’re about gossip, grudges, and the art of the withering putdown. Beaton manages to poke fun at village life, skewer social pretensions, and keep us guessing (and giggling) with every twist.

Her characters feel like old friends, sometimes exasperating ones, but always worth spending an evening with.

It’s this blend of gentle mystery, sharp humor, and genuine affection for her settings that keeps readers coming back, book after book.

So brew your tea, grab a tartan throw, and settle in with Agatha, Hamish, or Hannah.

When M.C. Beaton is on your shelf, you’re never far from murder, mayhem, and a thoroughly good time.