Helena Dixon Books In Order

Publication Order of Miss Underhay Mystery Books

About Helena Dixon
The British writer Helena Dixon is fast becoming a household name when it comes to the genre of cozy mystery novels. Always looking to keep her readers guessing at every turn of the page, she excels in combining well crafted characters alongside tightly plotted stories. This has proven to be a hugely successful formula for her over the years as well, as she reaches readers far and wide on an international level. There’s also elements of romance in her mysteries as well, giving her stories a lot of heart and soul, which her ever expanding audience has also responded well to.

Often writing under the pen-name of Nell Dixon as well, she’s more than competent when it comes to creating engaging mysteries. With an eye for period detail too, she also extremely adept when it comes to her historical settings, with many of her books being set in the past. Using many of the locations from her own life, she makes sure her stories are believable both factually and in terms of geography. This makes for even more immersive and compelling stories, as they pull the reader and keep them held there throughout.

Taking a lot of her characters and running with them, she has produced a number of enduring series over the years. Combining story and personality, she knows what it is that drives a quality mystery novel, pushing it forwards in her own style. There’s also a lot of wit there too, as she understands the necessity of humor employed at just the right time in each of her stories. With more to follow, there’s definitely further titles planned for the future, as she’s a writer who can continue indefinitely.

Early and Personal Life:
Growing up in the UK, Helena Dixon would become interested in both reading and writing from an early age. This would continue throughout the years, as she’d mainly turn her focus to the mystery novel, something which would become her primary passion. Developing her style, she’d essentially play with the genre, making it very much her own as time went on.

Carrying on throughout her education too, she was always looking for new and exciting ideas to help inspire her next story. Still writing to this day, she spends much of her time in both the Black Country and Devon in the UK, splitting her time between the two. Living with her husband and their three daughters, she will continue for a long time yet, as her writing career carries on.

Writing Career:
Starting out with ‘Murder at the Dolphin Hotel’ in 2019, Helena Dixon would begin her career as a solely mystery novelist. As time went on she would release another three murder mysteries the following year, as they’d all feature in the same series. The ‘Miss Underhay Mysteries’ would be her best known series to day, as they’d focus on the eponymous amateur sleuth.

Prior to this she would write under the name of Nell Dixon, writing romance novels, which begun in 2006 with ‘Things to Do’. She’s won a selection of awards over the years as well, beginning in 2007 with The Romance Prize, and Love Story of the Year in 2010. This has now turned to historical mystery novels, which will carry on indefinitely into the foreseeable future.

Murder at Enderley Hall
Initially released in 2020 on the 19th of March, this would come out through Bookoture, making it the second in the Miss Underhay Mystery series. Following on from the last, it’s another completely self-contained mystery for the leading protagonist of Kitty Underhay to solve. With its own narrative, it’s a historical period piece, as it also paved the way for other mysteries to follow on.

As a cozy mystery novel, this is fully aware of what it is and the many tropes of the genre, having fun with it in the process. Taking them in a different direction, it turns many of them on their head too, giving the reader an outcome that’s unexpected. This ensures that not only are they guessing every step of the way, but that the novel itself is unique and different too.

Taking place in the Summer of 1933, Kitty Underhay is off to the stately Enderley Hall with her carpet bag and chambermaid in tow. Meeting her relatives, she soon comes upon a mystery whereby Nanny Thorns is discovered murdered, with some papers that are nationally important having been stolen. With the help of Matthew Bryant the ex-army captain, she must solve the case, finding out who potentially profits from the theft of the papers. Will she be able to solve the mystery with their help? Can she find who took the papers and why? Who is behind the murder at Enderley Hall?

Murder at the Playhouse
This was, once again, published through the Bookoture publishing label, being released not long after the last in the series. Marking the third title in the Miss Underhay Mystery series, it would feature another self-contained mystery, this time coming out on 30th of June in 2020. Featuring characters from the previous titles, the relationships and arcs have already been well established, with it being a period piece too.

Making for an excellent example of the cozy murder mystery genre once again, this would also use a historical setting to full effect. Whilst it has a lot of characters from before, it has a lot of surprises which really work to keep the series feeling fresh and exciting. Regular readers of the franchise will definitely not be disappointed though, as it keeps the same pace as before, taking the intrigue up a level.

It’s late Summer 1933 this time, and Kitty Underhay has been arguing with Matthew Bryant, as she storms off leaving him to quietly nurse a brandy. That’s when the body of Pearl Bright, the aspiring actress, is discovered murdered by one of Bryant’s bootlaces, leading to him being arrested as the chief suspect. Coming to his assistance, Kitty seeks to prove his innocence, but soon finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy involving the world of theatre. Will she be able to find the real killer before it’s too late? Why would they frame Bryant? What really happened with the murder at the playhouse?

6 Responses to “Helena Dixon”

1. John Groot: 2 months ago

   Love both Lady Swift and Kitty Underhay. I am trying to read them in order to follow there adventures better. Thanks to Verity Bright and Helena Dixon (and Amazon) for making the process fairly easy.

   Reply
2. Lee Rozinski: 10 months ago

   I’ve not read the Miss Underhay mysteries yet, but have read the Verity Bright Series which is set in thr 1920s. Tightly written, Thanks for all your work.

   Reply
3. Doreen Monk: 1 year ago

   Reluctant to put these books down – am now going through them all!

   Reply
4. Margaret Martin: 1 year ago

   I love them as soon as I finish one I have to get the next one .

   Reply
5. Patricia Rutherford: 1 year ago

   Love this series of books. Can’t wait to read the next

   Reply
6. CAROLINE WATERFIELD: 1 year ago

   love love them when is the next book out

   Reply