Lily Bard Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Lily Bard books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Lily Bard Series

The Lily Bard series by bestselling novelist Charlaine Harris is a standout in the field of mystery literature, particularly for those captivated by a more somber, introspective take on the small-town whodunit. These books are set in the remote, atmospheric town of Shakespeare, Arkansas, and center on the life of Lily Bard—a woman with a tangled past, working to reconstruct her life quietly. Unlike many cozy mystery heroines, Lily is not fun or quirky. Instead, she is a woman who is strong, private, and deeply scarred by trauma, which makes her journey powerful and deeply relatable. By day working as a cleaning lady, she comes across the town’s secrets and crimes—audacious secrets crimes that are ordinarily shunned by the mainstream. Each book in the series offers more of Lily’s personal battles as well as the town’s intrigue-laded drama enveloped in suspicion and concealed malevolence. Harris truly brings the town to life, developing Shakespeare as a character in its own right, windowing all its charm, tension, and the intrigue one would anticipate know from a place where everyone knows everyone… or thinks they do. First started in 1996, the series with Shakespeare’s Landlord, has been extended with four other books. Each new title is not only adding to the last one with interesting puzzles but also its emotional depth. The Lily Bard series is an intensely atmospheric and unique reading experience that can be enjoyed by any Charlaine Harris fan, new or old. The series is definitely not only focused on investigating crimes, but also on the process of recovery, survival, and sourcing strength from places that were not expected.