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Laura Levine Books in Order

Browse Laura Levine books in order, with Jaine Austen series lists, quick summaries, background notes, and simple guidance on where to start reading.

Last updated: July 12, 2026

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Laura Levine books in publication order

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24 books

This Pen for Hire

by Laura Levine

2002

Jaine writes a love letter for awkward Howard Murdoch, only to find his dream date murdered on Valentine's Day. With Howard the prime suspect, she starts asking questions and lands in her first comic, dangerous case.

Last Writes

by Laura Levine

2003

Jaine finally gets a sitcom writing job on a cheesy Hollywood show, and the work is bad enough before murder shows up. When the show's heartthrob dies after a poisoned doughnut, she has to clear her best friend Kandi.

Killer Blonde

by Laura Levine

2004

Hired to ghostwrite hostess tips for Beverly Hills socialite SueEllen Kingsley, Jaine expects easy money. Then she finds SueEllen dead in the tub and faces a tangle of glamorous suspects, family secrets, and very expensive hair.

Shoes to Die For

by Laura Levine

2005

A visit to a trendy shoe boutique brings Jaine new ad-copy work and front-row access to vicious staff gossip. By morning, the store's nastiest clerk is dead, stabbed with a stiletto, and Jaine is on the case.

The PMS Murder

by Laura Levine

2006

Jaine joins a margarita-fueled women's support group after helping a new friend with her resume. When one member drops dead over the hostess's famous guacamole, the gossip turns deadly and Jaine must sort through a room full of grudges.

Death by Pantyhose

by Laura Levine

2007

Short on cash, Jaine takes a job writing jokes for an unfunny comic and reconnects with an old crush. When a handsome rival comic is strangled with pantyhose and her client is arrested, Jaine chases laughs and a killer.

Killing Bridezilla

by Laura Levine

2008

Jaine is hired to write Romeo and Juliet style wedding vows for her awful high school nemesis, Patti Devane. When the bride plunges to her death during rehearsal, Jaine faces a long suspect list and a nasty trip down memory lane.

Killer Cruise

by Laura Levine

2009

A teaching job on a luxury cruise sounds perfect, especially with a buffet. Then Jaine's cat stows away, a wealthy passenger gets engaged to a shady charmer, and murder breaks out at sea.

Death of a Trophy Wife

by Laura Levine

2010

Jaine takes an ad-writing gig for mattress king Marvin Cooper after meeting his young wife Bunny at brunch. When Bunny is poisoned at a party and Lance is blamed, Jaine dives into a mansion full of motives.

The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies

by Laura Levine

2010

In this holiday novella, Jaine helps stage her parents' retirement community play, The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. When the leading man falls to his death mid-performance, she starts digging through the residents' romantic grudges.

Pampered to Death

by Laura Levine

2011

An all-expenses spa getaway turns out to be a grim diet retreat with celery juice, weigh-ins, and no carbs. When a difficult actress is strangled during a seaweed wrap, Jaine investigates before the killer strikes again.

Death of a Neighborhood Witch

by Laura Levine

2012

After Prozac terrorizes a parakeet, Jaine gets dragged into a feud with a nasty former horror actress on her block. When the woman is murdered on Halloween night and Jaine becomes a suspect, neighborhood secrets spill out.

Killing Cupid

by Laura Levine

2013

Jaine lands a copywriting job at a matchmaking service and quickly learns its glossy promises are mostly smoke and mirrors. When the boss dies at a Valentine's Day mixer, she has to untangle lies, lonely hearts, and murder.

Secret Santa

by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine & Cindy Myers

2013

This four-story Christmas collection mixes contemporary romance with a cozy murder mystery and a snowbound marital reckoning. Marie Bostwick’s contribution follows Velvet Tudmore, whose unexpected secret admirer promises to reveal himself at a Texas Christmas ball.

Death by Tiara

by Laura Levine

2015

Behind the scenes at a teen beauty pageant, Jaine is hired to write a contestant's song. When a pageant assistant is bludgeoned with a silver tiara and the girl's pushy mother is blamed, Jaine goes hunting for answers.

Murder Has Nine Lives

by Laura Levine

2016

Things look up when Jaine lands a paying ad job, a possible romance, and a commercial for her cat, Prozac. Then the pet food inventor drops dead on set, and Jaine finds herself pawing through suspects.

Death of a Bachelorette

by Laura Levine

2017

Jaine flies to a tropical island to write dialogue for a cheesy dating show about a faux royal bachelor. After one contestant dies and nobody can leave, paradise becomes a locked-down crime scene with Prozac along for the ride.

Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge

by Laura Levine

2018

House-sitting in Bel Air over Christmas should be restful, but Jaine is soon tangled up with a hateful former child star who ruins everyone's holiday. When he is killed and Jaine lands on the suspect list, she has to clear her name.

Death of a Gigolo

by Laura Levine

2019

Jaine ghosts a steamy romance novel for rich heiress Daisy Kincaid and watches a much younger gold digger charm his way into Daisy's life. When he ends up dead before the wedding, money and jealousy take center stage.

Murder Gets a Makeover

by Laura Levine

2021

At Lance's urging, Jaine agrees to a glamorous before-and-after makeover with celebrity stylist Bebe Braddock. When Bebe is strangled and Jaine's prints are on the hanger, she must solve the case before her new look includes prison orange.

Death by Smoothie

by Laura Levine

2022

Jaine takes script-doctor work on a stage version of the old cult sitcom I Married a Zombie. When the production's diva actress dies after drinking a poisoned smoothie, rehearsals turn into a murder investigation.

Nightmare on Elf Street

by Laura Levine

2023

In this holiday mystery, Jaine takes a humiliating job as a mall elf and gets paired with a truly awful Santa. When he is murdered at work and suspicion falls on her, she has to save her Christmas fast.

The Dangers of Candy Canes

by Laura Levine

2023

In this holiday entry, a roofing contractor asks Jaine to investigate after a wealthy homeowner falls from his roof while hanging a giant candy cane. The trail leads straight into vicious neighborhood decorating wars and buried secrets.

Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket

by Laura Levine

2024

Jaine's new ghostwriting gig starts with a private train trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara and a tyrannical client named Chip Miller. When Chip ends up dead in his cabin and Jaine's DNA is on the weapon, she has no choice but to investigate.

Where to start with Laura Levine

If you want the true starting point: This Pen for HireLast WritesKiller Blonde
If you like Hollywood and behind-the-scenes chaos: Last WritesDeath by TiaraDeath by Smoothie
If you want travel and vacation disasters: Killer CruiseDeath of a BacheloretteMurder Buys a One-Way Ticket
If you want holiday mysteries: The Dangers of Gingerbread CookiesNightmare on Elf StreetThe Dangers of Candy Canes

Laura Levine sub-series and character series

Jaine Austen books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "This Pen for Hire"

    This Pen for Hire

    by Laura Levine

    2002Jaine Austen, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Last Writes"

    Last Writes

    by Laura Levine

    2003Jaine Austen, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "Killer Blonde"

    Killer Blonde

    by Laura Levine

    2004Jaine Austen, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "Shoes to Die For"

    Shoes to Die For

    by Laura Levine

    2005Jaine Austen, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "The PMS Murder"

    The PMS Murder

    by Laura Levine

    2006Jaine Austen, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "Death by Pantyhose"

    Death by Pantyhose

    by Laura Levine

    2007Jaine Austen, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "Killing Bridezilla"

    Killing Bridezilla

    by Laura Levine

    2008Jaine Austen, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Killer Cruise"

    Killer Cruise

    by Laura Levine

    2009Jaine Austen, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Death of a Trophy Wife"

    Death of a Trophy Wife

    by Laura Levine

    2010Jaine Austen, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies"

    The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies

    by Laura Levine

    2010Jaine Austen, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "Pampered to Death"

    Pampered to Death

    by Laura Levine

    2011Jaine Austen, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "Death of a Neighborhood Witch"

    Death of a Neighborhood Witch

    by Laura Levine

    2012Jaine Austen, Book 12
  13. Book cover for "Killing Cupid"

    Killing Cupid

    by Laura Levine

    2013Jaine Austen, Book 13
  14. Book cover for "Death by Tiara"

    Death by Tiara

    by Laura Levine

    2015Jaine Austen, Book 14
  15. Book cover for "Murder Has Nine Lives"

    Murder Has Nine Lives

    by Laura Levine

    2016Jaine Austen, Book 15
  16. Book cover for "Death of a Bachelorette"

    Death of a Bachelorette

    by Laura Levine

    2017Jaine Austen, Book 16
  17. Book cover for "Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge"

    Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge

    by Laura Levine

    2018Jaine Austen, Book 17
  18. Book cover for "Death of a Gigolo"

    Death of a Gigolo

    by Laura Levine

    2019Jaine Austen, Book 18
  19. Book cover for "Murder Gets a Makeover"

    Murder Gets a Makeover

    by Laura Levine

    2021Jaine Austen, Book 19
  20. Book cover for "Death by Smoothie"

    Death by Smoothie

    by Laura Levine

    2022Jaine Austen, Book 20
  21. Book cover for "Nightmare on Elf Street"

    Nightmare on Elf Street

    by Laura Levine

    2023Jaine Austen, Book 21
  22. Book cover for "The Dangers of Candy Canes"

    The Dangers of Candy Canes

    by Laura Levine

    2023Jaine Austen, Book 22
  23. Book cover for "Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket"

    Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket

    by Laura Levine

    2024Jaine Austen, Book 23

Jaine Austen books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "This Pen for Hire"

    This Pen for Hire

    by Laura Levine

    2002Jaine Austen, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Last Writes"

    Last Writes

    by Laura Levine

    2003Jaine Austen, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "Killer Blonde"

    Killer Blonde

    by Laura Levine

    2004Jaine Austen, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "Shoes to Die For"

    Shoes to Die For

    by Laura Levine

    2005Jaine Austen, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "The PMS Murder"

    The PMS Murder

    by Laura Levine

    2006Jaine Austen, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "Death by Pantyhose"

    Death by Pantyhose

    by Laura Levine

    2007Jaine Austen, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "Killing Bridezilla"

    Killing Bridezilla

    by Laura Levine

    2008Jaine Austen, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Killer Cruise"

    Killer Cruise

    by Laura Levine

    2009Jaine Austen, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Death of a Trophy Wife"

    Death of a Trophy Wife

    by Laura Levine

    2010Jaine Austen, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies"

    The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies

    by Laura Levine

    2010Jaine Austen, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "Pampered to Death"

    Pampered to Death

    by Laura Levine

    2011Jaine Austen, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "Death of a Neighborhood Witch"

    Death of a Neighborhood Witch

    by Laura Levine

    2012Jaine Austen, Book 12
  13. Book cover for "Killing Cupid"

    Killing Cupid

    by Laura Levine

    2013Jaine Austen, Book 13
  14. Book cover for "Death by Tiara"

    Death by Tiara

    by Laura Levine

    2015Jaine Austen, Book 14
  15. Book cover for "Murder Has Nine Lives"

    Murder Has Nine Lives

    by Laura Levine

    2016Jaine Austen, Book 15
  16. Book cover for "Death of a Bachelorette"

    Death of a Bachelorette

    by Laura Levine

    2017Jaine Austen, Book 16
  17. Book cover for "Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge"

    Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge

    by Laura Levine

    2018Jaine Austen, Book 17
  18. Book cover for "Death of a Gigolo"

    Death of a Gigolo

    by Laura Levine

    2019Jaine Austen, Book 18
  19. Book cover for "Murder Gets a Makeover"

    Murder Gets a Makeover

    by Laura Levine

    2021Jaine Austen, Book 19
  20. Book cover for "Death by Smoothie"

    Death by Smoothie

    by Laura Levine

    2022Jaine Austen, Book 20
  21. Book cover for "Nightmare on Elf Street"

    Nightmare on Elf Street

    by Laura Levine

    2023Jaine Austen, Book 21
  22. Book cover for "The Dangers of Candy Canes"

    The Dangers of Candy Canes

    by Laura Levine

    2023Jaine Austen, Book 22
  23. Book cover for "Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket"

    Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket

    by Laura Levine

    2024Jaine Austen, Book 23

Standalone Laura Levine books

  1. Book cover for "Secret Santa"

    Secret Santa

    by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine & Cindy Myers

    2013

Author bio

Laura Levine was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1943 and grew up there. She later studied at Barnard College, a path that led toward writing, even if the route to novels turned out to be anything but straight. Long before she published mysteries, she was already learning how to watch people closely and turn what she saw into clean, funny, useful prose.

Her first job after college was at a very small newspaper, where she worked as both reporter and photographer. She has joked that it was so small the staff had to get photos developed at a local camera shop. That mix of reporting, hustling, and taking whatever assignment came next feels like a good early clue to the working world she would later build for her fictional sleuth, Jaine Austen.

Then came breakfast cereal.

Levine moved into advertising and, as a copywriter for General Mills, helped create Count Chocula and Franken Berry. From there she went into television comedy, writing for shows such as The Bob Newhart Show, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Three's Company, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She also published work in The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Years in comedy rooms clearly taught her pace, dialogue, and how to end a scene on a strong line.

The mystery novels came later, after a real career pivot. In an interview, Levine said her sitcom career had come to a stop when she was around 50, and she decided it was finally time to write the murder mystery she had long wanted to try. She was already a seasoned writer by then, which helped her sell that first novel, but the change in form still gave her a fresh start.

That first mystery was This Pen for Hire in 2002. It introduced freelance writer Jaine Austen, a Los Angeles wordsmith who takes whatever job pays the bills and keeps stumbling into homicide. The book won the Romantic Times award for Most Humorous Mystery and opened the door to a long-running series that includes Last Writes, Killer Cruise, Death of a Neighborhood Witch, Death by Smoothie, and Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket.

The cat matters too.

Part of the appeal of Levine's books is how comfortably they mix cozy mystery structure with sitcom timing. Her sleuth is funny, frazzled, underpaid, and usually one bad client away from disaster. Add in Jaine's cat Prozac, a parade of terrible gigs, and a Los Angeles backdrop full of vanity, ambition, and oddballs, and the books land in a sweet spot between puzzle and comedy. Levine has said the first mysteries she devoured were the Nancy Drew books, and that Agatha Christie remains her mystery idol. You can feel both influences in the work, bright curiosity on the surface, careful plotting underneath.

Off the page, Levine has shared that she enjoys reading, swimming, gardening, and long walks. She lives in Los Angeles and has built a career unlike almost anyone else's, newspaper reporter, cereal creator, sitcom writer, and finally mystery novelist. It makes sense that her books feel so lived-in. They come from someone who has spent a long time listening to how people talk, flirt, scheme, complain, and make a mess of things.

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Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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