Colleen Cambridge Books In Order

Publication Order of An American in Paris Books

Publication Order of Phyllida Bright Mystery Books

Colleen Cambridge
Colleen Cambridge is a pen name for a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than eight languages.

From a young age, Colleen has loved reading mysteries and couldn’t be any happier that she is able to also write them.

All of her books feature strong heroines that experience fast paced adventures, mystery, danger, and, of course, romance. However at the core of each of her stories is the belief that every woman deserves to have a partner that accepts her for her strengths as well as her weaknesses, and vice versa.

“Murder at Mallowan Hall” is the first novel in the “Phyllida Bright Mystery” series and was released in 2021. Phyllida Bright is a fictional housekeeper for none other than Agatha Christie, the famed mystery novelist. When a dead body is discovered during a house party at her home and her husband Max Mallowan, it’s up to Phyllida Bright, famous author’s head of household, to investigate.

Tucked away among Devon’s rolling green hills, Mallowan Hall combines the very best of English tradition with all the modern conveniences of 1930. Housekeeper Phyllida Bright, who’s as efficient as she is personable, manages the huge household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, though, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses.

She’s both protective and loyal to the crime writer, who’s just as much of a friend as employer. An aficionado of detective fiction, she’s yet to find a gentleman in real life that is half as fascinating as Hercule Poirot, Mrs. Agatha’s Belgian hero. However even though she’s accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation, she’s unprepared for the sight of a very real and very dead body on the library floor.

Phyllida was an Army nurse, and reacts with practical common sense, as well as a great deal of curiosity. It quickly becomes clear that the victim showed up at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now, she not only has got a houseful of demanding guests on her hands, along with an anxious and distracted staff, however hordes of reporters are camping outside.

When there’s another corpse discovered, this time, one of her housemaids, Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot’s footsteps to figure out which of the Mallowans’ guests the killer is. With help from Dr. Bhatt (the village’s handsome physician), Mr. Dobble (the butler), as well as other household staff, she puts the clues together. But she’s much too aware that this killer has to still be close at hand and poised to strike again. And just her wits are going to prevent her own story from coming to an abrupt end.

“A Trace of Poison” is the second novel in the “Phyllida Bright Mystery” series and was released in 2022. In England’s stately manor houses, murder’s not generally a topic for polite conversation. Mallowan Hall is the exception, since it’s home to Agatha Christie and her husband. And Phyllida Bright, housekeeper, delights in discussing gory plot details with her employer and friend.

The neighboring village of Listleigh has also become a hub of grisly goings on, thanks to this Murder Fete which was organized to benefit a local orphanage. Members of The Detection Club, this group of celebrated authors such as Dorothy L. Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, and Agatha herself, are going to congregate for charitable events, including this writing contest for aspiring authors. The winner is to get an international publishing contract, and entrants have gathered together for a cocktail party, managed by Phyllida, when murder strikes far too close even for her own comfort.

It’s a mystery much to intriguing for Phyllida to resist, however one that’s fraught with danger and duplicity, for each and every single guest is an expert in murder. As well as how to get away with it.

This book is entertaining, funny, thrilling, and getting all of the clues together was a ton of fun.

“Mastering the Art of French Murder” is the first novel in the “American in Paris Mystery” series and was released in 2023. While Postwar Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, Tabitha Knight, who just recently arrived from Detroit for an extended stay with her French grandpa, is on a journey of of discovery all her own. Paris is not just the City of Light; it’s also the city of romance, history, stunning architecture, and food. Thanks to her friend and neighbor Julia Child, another ex-pat that has fallen head over heels for Paris, Tabitha’s learning how to cook for her Grandpere and Oncle Rafe.

Between visiting the market, tutoring Americans in French, and eagerly sampling the results of Julia’s studies at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, her sojourn is proving to be thoroughly delightful. That is, up until the cold December day that they return to Julia’s building and learn that a corpse has been discovered in the cellar. Tabitha recognizes the victim as a woman that she had met just the previous night, at this party given by Dort, Julia’s sister. The murder weapon found nearby is recognizable too, since it’s a knife out of Julia’s kitchen.

Tabitha is eager to help the investigation out however is stunned when Inspector Merveille reveals that a note, which is in Tabitha’s handwriting, was found in the dead woman’s pocket. Could this murder be a case of international intrigue, or something much more personal? From the shadows of the Tour Eiffel at midnight to the grungy streets of Montmarte, to the small third floor Child kitchen, Tabitha navigates through this city hoping to track the real killer down before she or one of her friends winds up in prison. Or worse.

This is a great cozy that blends the traditional plot points of a traditional cozy murder mystery with historical fiction, and some fun characters. Adding Julia Child to this fictional narrative along with Tabitha is so very creative to this, and having it set in Paris was the cherry on top. Readers were fully entertained and engaged with this one.

One Response to “Colleen Cambridge”

1. Louise Jarvis: 3 weeks ago

   Hello

   Loved the Mallowan Hall mysteries, loved listening to 1st 2 books on audible, are books 3 & 4 going to be on Audible?

   Thanks

   Louise

   Reply