Order of Book Series
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Rhys Bowen Books in Order

Rhys Bowen has written 170 books, published between 1976 and 2026. The first book is Peter Penny's Dance (1976) and the newest is Vanished in the Crowd (2026). One more title is announced: A Whiff of Scandal (2027). Publication order is the reading order below.

Rhys Bowen is the pen name of Janet Quin-Harkin.

Books
170 + 1 announced
Published
1976–2026
Confirmed
169 of 171 titles
Pages on record
22,966 in 101 of 171 books
Reading time
383–574 hours

Reading time is an estimate, not a recorded figure: 22,966 pages at 300 words a page, read at 200–300 words a minute, covering the 101 of 171 titles with a page count on record.

See all 171 books in order Printable Rhys Bowen checklistNext: A Whiff of Scandal (2027)

Rhys Bowen is the name Janet Quin-Harkin publishes adult mystery novels under; Quin-Harkin was born in Bath, Somerset, in September 1941. The catalogue gathers 171 books, opening with Peter Penny's Dance (1976) and reaching Vanished in the Crowd (2026), with A Whiff of Scandal dated 2027. Molly Murphy, Her Royal Spyness and Constable Evans are the mystery series listed, alongside teen series carrying the Janet Quin-Harkin byline such as Heartbreak Cafe, Sugar and Spice and The Boyfriend Club. Catalogue subjects run to detective and mystery stories, women private investigators, historical mystery, aristocracy and children's fiction.

Lady Georgiana Rannoch, the lead of the Her Royal Spyness series, is 34th in line to the British throne but has little money, living in 1930s England. She solves mysteries, sometimes on behalf of the Queen, while balancing her royal duties and status in society.

How many Rhys Bowen books are there?

Rhys Bowen has 170 published books, released between 1976 and 2026. They include 17 separate series. One more, A Whiff of Scandal (2027), is announced.

Rhys Bowen Books in Publication Order

The table lists all 171 Rhys Bowen books in the order they were released, with the release year, the page count where one is on record, and how many independent book listings confirm each title. Catalogue data as of September 2026.

  1. Cover of Benjamin's Balloon by Rhys Bowen, book 2 of the Rhys Bowen Picture series (1978)
  2. Cover of Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine by Rhys Bowen, book 3 of the Rhys Bowen Picture series (1980)
  3. Cover of Magic Growing Powder by Rhys Bowen, book 4 of the Rhys Bowen Picture series (1981)
  4. Cover of Tommy Loves Tina (As:Janet Quin-Harkin) by Rhys Bowen, book 1 of the Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels series (1984)
  5. Cover of The Graduates by Rhys Bowen, book 1 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  6. Cover of The Trouble with Toni by Rhys Bowen, book 2 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  7. Cover of Out of Love by Rhys Bowen, book 3 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  8. Cover of Old Friends, New Friends by Rhys Bowen, book 4 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  9. Cover of Write Every Day (As:Janet Quin-Harkin) by Rhys Bowen, book 4 of the Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels series (1986)
  10. Cover of Growing Pains by Rhys Bowen, book 5 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  11. Cover of Best Friends Forever by Rhys Bowen, book 6 of the On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1986)
  12. Cover of Flip Side by Rhys Bowen, book 1 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  13. Cover of Two Girls, One Boy by Rhys Bowen, book 2 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  14. Cover of Trading Places by Rhys Bowen, book 3 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  15. Cover of Dear Cousin by Rhys Bowen, book 5 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  16. Cover of Nothing in Common by Rhys Bowen, book 6 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  17. Cover of Tug of War by Rhys Bowen, book 7 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  18. Cover of Surf's Up by Rhys Bowen, book 8 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  19. Cover of Double Take by Rhys Bowen, book 9 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1987)
  20. Cover of Out in the Cold by Rhys Bowen, book 12 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1988)
  21. Cover of Blind Date by Rhys Bowen, book 13 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1988)
  22. Cover of It's My Turn by Rhys Bowen, book 14 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1988)
  23. Cover of Home Sweet Home by Rhys Bowen, book 15 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1988)
  24. Cover of Dream Come True by Rhys Bowen, book 16 of the Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin series (1988)
  1. 1
    Peter Penny's DanceRhys Bowen Picture #11976 · confirmed 3/4
    1976–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  2. 2
    Benjamin's BalloonRhys Bowen Picture #21978 · 41 pages · confirmed 3/4
    197841
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  3. 3
    Septimus Bean and His Amazing MachineRhys Bowen Picture #31980 · 41 pages · confirmed 3/4
    198041
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  4. 4
    Magic Growing PowderRhys Bowen Picture #41981 · confirmed 3/4
    1981–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  5. 5
    Helpful HattieRhys Bowen Picture #51983 · 58 pages · confirmed 3/4
    198358
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  6. 6
    Tommy Loves Tina (As:Janet Quin-Harkin)Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels #11984 · 160 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1984160
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  7. 7
    Winner Take All (As:Janet Quin-Harkin)Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels #21984 · confirmed 3/4
    1984–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  8. 8
    The GraduatesOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #11986 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  9. 9
    The Trouble with ToniOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #21986 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  10. 10
    Out of LoveOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #31986 · 208 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986208
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  11. 11
    Wanted: Date for Saturday Night (As:Janet Quin-Harkin)Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels #31986 · confirmed 3/4
    1986–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  12. 12
    Old Friends, New FriendsOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #41986 · 201 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986201
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  13. 13
    Write Every Day (As:Janet Quin-Harkin)Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels #41986 · confirmed 3/4
    1986–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  14. 14
    Growing PainsOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #51986 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  15. 15
    Best Friends ForeverOn Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #61986 · 180 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986180
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  16. 16
    Flip SideSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #11987 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  17. 17
    Two Girls, One BoySugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #21987 · 250 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987250
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  18. 18
    Trading PlacesSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #31987 · 185 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987185
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  19. 19
    The Last DanceSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #41987 · confirmed 3/4
    1987–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  20. 20
    Dear CousinSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #51987 · 184 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987184
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  21. 21
    Nothing in CommonSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #61987 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  22. 22
    Tug of WarSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #71987 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  23. 23
    Surf's UpSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #81987 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  24. 24
    Double TakeSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #91987 · 230 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987230
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  25. 25
    Make Me a StarSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #101987 · 183 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1987183
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  26. 26
    Big SisterSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #111988 · 184 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1988184
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  27. 27
    Out in the ColdSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #121988 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1988192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  28. 28
    Blind DateSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #131988 · confirmed 3/4
    1988–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  29. 29
    It's My TurnSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #141988 · 187 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1988187
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  30. 30
    Home Sweet HomeSugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin #151988 · confirmed 3/4
    1988–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK

Rhys Bowen series and characters in order

Each link below opens a reading-order page with every book in publication order.

Rhys Bowen books grouped by series

Each title below is a row in the publication-order table above. None of these groups has a reading-order page of its own on this site.

Rhys Bowen Standalone Novels

23 books

23 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Sugar and Spice Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

20 books
  1. 1. Flip Side
  2. 2. Two Girls, One Boy
  3. 3. Trading Places
  4. 4. The Last Dance
  5. 5. Dear Cousin
  6. 6. Nothing in Common
  7. 7. Tug of War
  8. 8. Surf's Up
  9. 9. Double Take
  10. 10. Make Me a Star
  11. 11. Big Sister
  12. 12. Out in the Cold
  13. and 8 more in the table above

Boyfriend Club Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

12 books
  1. 1. Ginger's First Kiss
  2. 2. Roni's Dream Boy
  3. 3. Karen's Perfect Match
  4. 4. Queen Justine
  5. 5. Ginger's New Crush
  6. 6. Roni's Two-Boy Trouble
  7. 7. No More Boys
  8. 8. Karen's Lessons in Love
  9. 9. Roni's Sweet Fifteen
  10. 10. Justine's Baby-Sitting Nightmare
  11. 11. The Boyfriend Wars
  12. 12. Dear Karen

Constable Evans in order

10 books
  1. 1. Evans Above
  2. 2. Evan Help Us
  3. 3. Evanly Choirs
  4. 4. Evan and Elle
  5. 5. Evan Can Wait
  6. 6. Evans to Betsy
  7. 7. Evan Only Knows
  8. 8. Evan's Gate
  9. 9. Evan Blessed
  10. 10. Evanly Bodies

Sister, Sister Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

8 books
  1. 1. Cool in School
  2. 2. You Read My Mind
  3. 3. One Crazy Christmas
  4. 4. Homegirl on the Range
  5. 5. He's All That
  6. 6. Summer Daze
  7. 7. Star Quality
  8. 8. All Rapped Up

Rhys Bowen Picture in order

6 books
  1. 1. Peter Penny's Dance
  2. 2. Benjamin's Balloon
  3. 3. Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine
  4. 4. Magic Growing Powder
  5. 5. Helpful Hattie
  6. 6. Billy and Ben

On Our Own Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

6 books
  1. 1. The Graduates
  2. 2. The Trouble with Toni
  3. 3. Out of Love
  4. 4. Old Friends, New Friends
  5. 5. Growing Pains
  6. 6. Best Friends Forever

Heartbreak Cafe Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

6 books
  1. 1. No Experience Required
  2. 2. Just Desserts
  3. 3. The Main Attraction
  4. 4. Catch of the Day
  5. 5. At Your Service
  6. 6. Love to Go

TGIF Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

5 books
  1. 1. Sleepover Madness
  2. 2. Four's a Crowd
  3. 3. Forever Friday
  4. 4. Toe-Shoe Trouble
  5. 5. Secret Valentine

Senior Year Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

4 books
  1. 1. Homecoming Dance
  2. 2. New Year's Eve
  3. 3. Night of the Prom
  4. 4. Graduation Day

Friends Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

4 books
  1. 1. Starring Tess and Ali
  2. 2. Boy Trouble for Tess and Ali
  3. 3. Tess and Ali and the Teeny Bikini
  4. 4. Tess and Ali, Going on Fifteen

Rhys Bowen Short Stories/Novellas

4 books

4 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Love Stories For Young Adults in order

3 books
  1. 5. The Boy Next Door
  2. 13. Who Do You Love?
  3. 39. Torn Apart

Changes in order

2 books
  1. 1. My Phantom Love (As: Janet Quin-Harkin)
  2. 10. On My Own (As: Janet Quin-Harkin)

NBC Great Escapes Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Secrets of Lake Success
  2. 2. Trade Winds

Full House: Club Stephanie in order

2 books
  1. 1. Flamingo Revenge
  2. 2. Fun, Sun, and Flamingoes

True Love Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

2 books
  1. 1. Kiss and Lie
  2. 2. Secrets

Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler in order

2 books
  1. 17. Cozy Case Files Volume 17
  2. 20. Cozy Case Files, Volume 20

Portraits Collection

1 book

1 title published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

TGIF Series as Janet Quin-Harkin in order

1 book
  1. 1. Friday Night Fright

Red Dragon Academy Series in order

1 book
  1. 1. Dreamwalker

Rhys Bowen Books in Chronological Order

By publication date, the Rhys Bowen books run from Peter Penny's Dance (1976) to Vanished in the Crowd (2026), the sequence in the table above. No separate story order is recorded for Rhys Bowen in the book listings this catalogue merges, so publication order is the only order on record.

Do you have to read Rhys Bowen books in order?

You only need to read Rhys Bowen books in order within each series: the books listed here span 17 separate series, and each series has its own publication order.

Where to start with Rhys Bowen

Start with the first book of the Rhys Bowen series you want to read: Her Royal Spyness starts with Her Royal Spyness (2007), Molly Murphy starts with Murphy's Law (2001) and Royal Spyness starts with Her Royal Spyness (2007). The earliest catalogued title overall is Peter Penny's Dance (1976).

What is the newest Rhys Bowen book?

Vanished in the Crowd (2026) is the newest Rhys Bowen book released so far.

Is there a new Rhys Bowen book coming?

Yes. A Whiff of Scandal (2027) is the next Rhys Bowen book announced in the catalogue. A publication year announced this far ahead moves, so it is worth rechecking: every announced title dated after 2026 sits on the upcoming book releases page.

Awards Rhys Bowen has won

Wikidata records 3 awards for Rhys Bowen. Each row states whether the title won or was shortlisted, and the year the award was given.

  • Macavity Awards2007Won
  • Anthony Award2004Wonfor For the Love of Mike
  • Agatha Award for Best Novel2001Won

Rhys Bowen at a glance

Still publishing
Rhys Bowen is still publishing. A Whiff of Scandal is announced for 2027.
Release pace
Rhys Bowen books have appeared more than one a year on average.
Length
22,966 pages across the 101 of 171 books with a recorded length, a median of 192 pages each.
Busiest decade
Most Rhys Bowen books, 56 of 171, were published in the 1990s.
Corroboration
38 of the 171 titles appear in all four independent book listings, and 169 in at least three.

What the Rhys Bowen books are about

107 of the 171 Rhys Bowen books carry subject tags in Open Library's catalogue. The subjects below are the ones that recur across them, most frequent first: children's fiction is tagged on 32 of 107. The subjects are cataloguers’ headings, not a plot summary.