So you've discovered Victoria Thompson's books and now you're scratching your head wondering where to start. Been there! When I first picked up one of her Gaslight Mysteries at a used bookstore, I accidentally started with book #7. Big mistake. The characters kept referencing past events I knew nothing about, and Frank Malloy's grumpy charm made zero sense without context. That's when I realized getting Victoria Thompson books in order matters.
Whether you're diving into her Gaslight Mystery series or exploring her Counterfeit Lady books, reading them chronologically transforms the experience. You watch characters evolve, relationships deepen, and historical details build like layers of paint on an old New York brownstone. Let me save you the trouble I went through by mapping out every single Victoria Thompson book in publication order.
Why Following Victoria Thompson Books in Order Matters
Picture binge-watching a TV series starting from season 3. You'd miss inside jokes, relationship dynamics, and character backstories. Same goes for Thompson's series. Her Gaslight Mysteries feature midwife Sarah Brandt and detective Frank Malloy solving crimes in 1890s-1900s New York. Their slow-burn romance spans nearly 20 books – jump into the middle and you'll miss all the delicious tension.
Her newer Counterfeit Lady series follows con artist Elizabeth Miles in early 20th century America. The historical settings (think suffragette marches and WWI) progress realistically when read sequentially. Plus, Thompson plants subtle clues about future cases in earlier books. Miss book #3 and you might not understand a villain's revenge motive in book #12.
When I reread the Gaslight books properly ordered last year, I noticed tiny details I'd skipped before – how Sarah's nursing bag evolves with medical advancements, or how gaslights literally disappear as electric lighting spreads. Chronological reading reveals these gems.
The Complete Gaslight Mystery Series in Order
Thompson's flagship series stars Sarah Brandt, a society-turned-working-class midwife, and Frank Malloy, a gruff Irish cop. Starting in 1890s New York, these explore medicine, immigration, and class divides through murder mysteries. The romantic subplot alone demands reading Victoria Thompson books in order.
Quick tip: While each mystery solves independently, character arcs span multiple books. Skip ahead and you'll spoil relationship milestones.
| Book Title | Year | Series Position | Key Developments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder on Astor Place | 1999 | #1 | Sarah & Frank meet during society murder case |
| Murder on St. Mark's Place | 2000 | #2 | Tenement murders reveal immigrant struggles |
| Murder on Gramercy Park | 2001 | #3 | Introduction of pivotal character Mrs. Ellsworth |
| Murder on Washington Square | 2002 | #4 | Sarah's past resurfaces dramatically |
| Murder on Mulberry Bend | 2003 | #5 | Focus on Italian immigrant community |
| Murder on Marble Row | 2004 | #6 | Explosives factory mystery with labor issues |
| Murder on Lenox Hill | 2005 | #7 | High-society blackmail plot |
| Murder in Little Italy | 2006 | #8 | Baby kidnapping case tests Sarah's midwife skills |
| Murder in Chinatown | 2007 | #9 | Cultural clashes in Chinese community |
| Murder on Waverly Place | 2008 | #10 | Spiritualism craze provides backdrop |
| Murder on Lexington Avenue | 2009 | #11 | Deaf school setting highlights disability history |
| Murder on Sisters' Row | 2010 | #12 | Maternity home exposes women's healthcare gaps |
| Murder on Fifth Avenue | 2011 | #13 | High-stakes society wedding disaster |
| Murder in Chelsea | 2012 | #14 | Sarah's personal life takes dramatic turn |
| Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue | 2013 | #15 | Christmas-themed mystery with family drama |
| Murder on Amsterdam Avenue | 2014 | #16 | Poisoning case in Harlem's elite circles |
| Murder on St. Mark's Place | 2015 | #17 | Revisiting locations from earlier books |
| Murder in Morningside Heights | 2016 | #18 | Women's college setting with feminist themes |
| Murder in the Bowery | 2017 | #19 | Newsboys and newspaper wars backdrop |
| Murder on Union Square | 2018 | #20 | Theater world murder with acting rivalries |
| Murder on Millionaires' Row | 2019 | #21 | Luxury hotel setting during Gilded Age |
| Murder on Bedford Street | 2020 | #22 | Asylum investigation exposes abuses |
| Murder on Wall Street | 2021 | #23 | Financial district crime during market boom |
| Murder on Pleasant Avenue | 2022 | #24 | Italian neighborhood tensions heat up |
| Murder on Astor Place (reissue) | 2023 | - | Special anniversary edition with author notes |
Where to start: Murder on Astor Place remains the perfect entry point. Paperback editions run $7-15 used, or $9.99 digitally. What grabs you: Thompson nails the gritty yet glamorous 1890s NYC atmosphere immediately. Sarah's independence in a male-dominated world feels refreshingly modern.
Honestly? Books #8-12 dragged a bit for me. The formula felt repetitive around 2006-2010. But Murder in Chelsea (#14) revitalized everything with major status quo changes. Thompson isn't afraid to shake up her characters' lives.
Character Evolution Across the Series
Frank Malloy's journey fascinates me. He starts as a corrupt beat cop taking bribes (common practice then), gradually transforming through Sarah's influence. By book #15, he's risking his career for justice. Their romance unfolds at glacial speed – we're talking 12 books before their first real kiss. Maddening but delicious tension.
Secondary characters like Maeve the street-smart orphan and Mrs. Ellsworth the nosy neighbor grow unexpectedly. Maeve especially – she evolves from pickpocket to Sarah's apprentice to businesswoman. Watching this across 24 books feels rewarding precisely because we followed Victoria Thompson books in order.
Counterfeit Lady Series Chronological List
Launched in 2017, this newer series shifts to early 1900s America following Elizabeth Miles, a skilled con artist with Robin Hood morals. Unlike Gaslight's linear timeline, these jump locations – New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. – requiring strict Victoria Thompson book order to track Elizabeth's shifting identities.
| Book Title | Year | Setting | Con Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lies | 2017 | New York | Suffragette donation scam |
| City of Secrets | 2018 | New York | Art forgery plot |
| City of Lies | 2019 | Washington D.C. | Political blackmail operation |
| City of Scoundrels | 2020 | Chicago | Rigged boxing match |
| City of Shadows | 2021 | New Orleans | Voodoo inheritance scam |
| City of Fortune | 2022 | San Francisco | Gold mine investment fraud |
| City of Deception | 2023 | Atlantic City | Casino cheating operation |
| City of Dreams (upcoming) | 2024 | Hollywood | Movie studio blackmail |
These shine with witty dialogue and elaborate cons. Elizabeth's romantic subplot with lawyer Gideon Bates develops more quickly than Sarah and Frank's – maybe too quickly. Their meet-cute in City of Lies sparks instantly, but Gideon's "noble lawyer" shtick occasionally grates. Still, the Jazz Age settings dazzle.
Best entry point: City of Lies establishes the rules of Elizabeth's world. Library copies are plentiful, or grab the Kindle version for $12.99. Standout feature: Thompson's research into period-appropriate cons (seance scams, forged documents) feels deliciously authentic.
Standalone Books and Early Works
Before hitting it big with historical mysteries, Thompson wrote western romances. These are tougher to find but offer fascinating glimpses of her evolution. Reading these before her mysteries shows how her pacing improved dramatically.
- Fortune's Lady (1990) - Gold rush era romance. Raw but energetic debut.
- Changing Fortunes (1991) - Cattle rancher meets Eastern heiress. Predictable but cozy.
- Victoria's Empire (1992) - British colonialism romance trilogy. Out of print.
- Sins of the Night (1999) - Gothic standalone mystery. Atmospheric but uneven pacing.
Thompson's short stories occasionally appear in anthologies like Murder New York Style (2012). These feature Gaslight characters between novels. Not essential to Victoria Thompson books order, but fun for completists.
Reader FAQ: Victoria Thompson Books Order Questions
Do I need to read Victoria Thompson's series in publication order?
Absolutely for Gaslight Mysteries. Character development spans decades. Counterfeit Lady books work better in order too – Elizabeth's past cons haunt later stories.
Are there crossovers between Gaslight and Counterfeit Lady series?
None so far. They exist in different timelines (Gaslight: 1890s-1900s vs Counterfeit: 1910s). Maybe someday?
Which series is better for historical accuracy?
Gaslight Mysteries win for medical/social history (midwifery, immigration). Counterfeit Lady nails early feminism and con artistry. Thompson researches meticulously – her author notes prove it.
Why does book #24 reference events from book #6?
Thompson plants subtle callbacks. In Murder on Pleasant Avenue, a character from Murder on Mulberry Bend returns seeking revenge. These payoffs only work if you've followed Victoria Thompson books in order.
Are audiobooks available in order?
Yes! Recorded Books produces Gaslight Mysteries narrated by Suzanne Toren. Her Frank Malloy growl is perfection. Counterfeit Lady books feature crisp narration by Kate Forbes.
What's the best way to collect physical copies?
Earlier Gaslight books (#1-10) fetch high prices used. Try library sales or eBay lots. Newer releases run $15-25 hardcover. Pro tip: Berkley reissues older titles periodically – follow Thompson's newsletter for announcements.
Personal Tips for Enjoying Victoria Thompson Books in Order
Okay, confession time: I cheated. After book #5, I skipped ahead to #15 because everyone raved about it. Mistake! Frank and Sarah's relationship had jumped forward years. It spoiled three books worth of tension. Lesson learned – resist temptation.
For new readers: Start with Gaslight #1 or Counterfeit #1 based on preference. Love slow-burn romance and medical history? Gaslight. Prefer fast-paced cons and Jazz Age flair? Counterfeit Lady. Libraries usually have both.
Budget hack: Sign up for ebook alerts. Thompson's first-in-series books often drop to $2.99 on Kindle. I snagged City of Lies during a sale last Thanksgiving.
One complaint: Thompson's villains sometimes feel cartoonish. The corrupt asylum director in Murder on Bedford Street practically twirled a mustache. But her protagonists more than compensate with depth.
Keeping Up with New Releases
Thompson publishes like clockwork. Gaslight Mysteries arrive every April/May, Counterfeit Lady in September/October. I mark my calendar! Watch for:
- Gaslight #25: Murder on Madison Square (Expected May 2024)
- Counterfeit Lady #8: City of Dreams (Expected October 2024)
Her website (victoriathompson.com) offers ARC giveaways. I scored an early copy of Murder on Wall Street by subscribing. Worth it for superfans.
Final Reality Check
Do you need religiously follow Victoria Thompson books in order? For standalones, no. But for series immersion? Absolutely. The magic lives in seeing telegraphs replace messenger pigeons, hemlines rise, and characters grow old enough to reference "back in book #3." Start from the beginning – your future self will thank you when that obscure callback lands perfectly ten books later.
Finding early books takes effort. Took me six months to locate Murder on Gramercy Park at a decent price. But hunting through dusty bookshops became its own adventure. Now go grab Murder on Astor Place or City of Lies – your historical mystery binge starts now!
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