C.S. Challinor
C.S. Challinor has published 14 books across 2 series. The recommended reading order starts with Christmas is Murder (2008).
C.S. Challinor writes the Rex Graves cozy mystery series, which debuted in 2008 with Christmas is Murder. This novel became a #1 Kindle Bestseller (paid sales). Challinor was raised and educated in Scotland, attending St. George's School for Girls in Edinburgh, and in England, where she studied at Lewes Priory in Sussex and the University of Kent in Canterbury, earning Joint Honours in Latin and French. She also holds a diploma in Russian from the Pushkin Institute in Moscow and a minor degree in psychology. The Rex Graves series is published by Midnight Ink and features Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister and amateur sleuth. These contemporary whodunits are generally set in Scotland but include settings in England, the Caribbean, and Key West. The novels typically feature a closed circle of suspects, with Rex Graves using his observation and deduction skills to solve the crimes. They do not need to be read in a specific order. Challinor is a member of the Authors Guild and lives in Southwest Florida.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Rex Graves Mystery Books
- Tags---DescriptionChristmas in the English countryside. A snowstorm traps guests at Swanmere Manor. Red-haired barrister Rex Graves arrives expecting holiday cheer, but finds a dead man instead. Was it illness, or poison? When more guests die, the festive season turns deadly. Trapped by the beastly snow, no one can leave. Everyone is a suspect. Rex must unravel the mystery, but a burnt manuscript offers few clues. Is the killer the handyman, the antiques dealer, the newlyweds, or the woman Rex is falling for? The holiday is ruined, and the snow keeps falling.Publication dateSeptember 8, 2008Amazon rating3.8/5Print length203LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- Tags---DescriptionWhen French actress Sabine Durand vanishes, Scottish barrister Rex Graves travels to the Caribbean island of St. Martin to find her. He discovers Sabine was staying at an exclusive nudist resort, a situation that proves challenging for Rex. As he interviews Sabine's friends, including her wealthy husband, a self-made millionaire, and a powerful developer, Rex finds that everyone has secrets. Alibis crumble and motives surface as Rex navigates this unusual setting to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.Publication dateMay 8, 2009Amazon rating3.9/5Print length216LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionThe humid Florida air hangs heavy, a stark contrast to the bracing winds of Scotland, yet barrister Rex Graves finds himself navigating both, and the baffling mystery that unfolds on a college campus. His son, Campbell, chose this sun-drenched state for his studies, a decision Rex struggles to comprehend, especially when a student is discovered dead in a locked dorm room. Was it a tragic act of despair, or something far more sinister? As Rex grapples with his son's precarious situation and the complexities of his own tangled relationships, he is drawn into an investigation that unearths a web of hidden truths within the university's hallowed, yet compromised, halls. He must untangle the secrets lurking beneath the surface, where the veneer of academic life conceals a darker reality, all while trying to protect Campbell and stay one step ahead of danger. This is a locked-room puzzle set against a balmy locale, filled with characters as vibrant as the subtropical setting, and laced with the humor that makes the pursuit of truth an irresistible endeavor.Publication dateMarch 8, 2010Amazon rating4.2/5Print length208LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- Tags---DescriptionThe rain lashed against the windows of Gleneagle Lodge, mirroring the storm brewing inside. Barrister Rex Graves had hoped for a quiet housewarming, but the unexpected arrival of an old flame, and soon after, a dead body, shattered the peace. His colleague, Alistair, had recently failed to convict a man for the notorious Moor Murders, and now, the killer walked among them. Trapped under the same roof, Rex must employ his sharp intellect and keen observation to protect Alistair's reputation and unmask the murderer before the body count rises.Publication dateMarch 8, 2011Amazon rating4.3/5Print length205LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- Tags---DescriptionThe Derbyshire countryside offers a damp, gray welcome as Scottish Barrister Rex Graves and his fiancée Helen arrive in Aston-on-Trent. They've come for the wedding of one of Helen's former students, but the somber skies and the palpable tension among the bickering families do little to ease Rex's own quiet doubts about the union. The air is thick with unspoken grievances, a stark contrast to the festive occasion. Soon, the festivities take a sinister turn. As the gloomy May rain continues its relentless descent, individuals connected to the doomed wedding begin to meet their end with alarming speed. Trapped within the confines of the estate, Rex finds himself compelled to unravel the truth. He must sift through the venomous whispers and veiled accusations of the assembled guests to identify the killer before another life is lost in this classic locked-room mystery.Publication dateMarch 8, 2012Amazon rating4.2/5Print length240LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- TagscrimemysteryDescriptionArchie, a cat of eighteen years, is dead. He was the companion of author Patricia Forsyth and the inspiration for her children’s stories. Someone in the village of Woodley ended the life of this feline muse. Scottish barrister Rex Graves investigates. The case is unconventional, focusing not on a person, but a pet. As the investigation unfolds, neighbour turns on neighbour and family members feud. Patricia’s closest collaborators fall under suspicion. The idyllic village holds its secrets.Publication dateAugust 10, 2013Amazon rating4.2/5Print length104LanguageEnglishPublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Tags---DescriptionA hit-and-run murder. A prominent cabinet minister demands answers. Resourceful barrister Rex Graves is called to London, where the victim’s entourage — her ambitious partner, her playboy fiancé, her jealous sister, even an enigmatic chauffeur — must all be probed and vetted. Behind the scenes of the haute couture firm, Graves must uncover the blood-chilling truth before the killer vanishes like a ghost.Publication dateJuly 29, 2013Amazon rating4.1/5Print length49LanguageEnglishPublisherPerfect Pages Literary Management, Inc.
- TagsmysteryDescriptionWhat could be better for Agatha Christie whodunit fans than an old-fashioned, Scottish country house murder on New Year's Eve? Ringing in the New Year turns deadly at Rex's Hogmanay celebration. When barrister Rex Graves and his fiancée Helen d'Arcy host a New Year's Eve party at Gleneagle Lodge in the Scottish Highlands, an oncoming storm threatens to ruin the festivities. Despite the unlucky number of guests and an argument over the lost Jacobite gold, friends and colleagues alike are enjoying the evening with drinks flowing freely. But as the clock strikes midnight and the power goes out, Ken and Catriona Fraser -- the inheritors of Gleneagle Castle -- are found dead. Suspecting the Frasers were murdered for monetary gain or revenge, Rex investigates who and what killed the couple. He must use his skills of intellect and detection to catch the culprit in this traditional locked-room mystery.Publication dateAugust 8, 2014Amazon rating4.2/5Print length216LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- TagsmysteryDescriptionThe humid air of Key West hangs heavy, thick with the scent of salt and the vibrant, wild energy of Fantasy Fest. Scottish barrister Rex Graves and his fiancée Helen find themselves disembarking from their cruise, only to stumble into the gingerbread-trimmed facade of the Dolphin Inn. But this charming B & B harbors a chilling secret. The innkeepers, Merle and Taffy Dyer, have been found dead, served cold for breakfast, their clown costumes a macabre jest in their own kitchen. Rex, a man whose reputation as a world-famous sleuth is growing with every case, feels the pull of the mystery, eager to abandon their holiday for the pursuit of truth. Yet, beneath the inn's colorful exterior lie hidden horrors. He suspects nothing of the darkness lurking among the guests, family, and friends, any one of whom could be a killer in disguise. With a cast of colorful characters, a balmy locale, and a dose of humor, this well-plotted mystery invites you to settle in and unravel the truth.Publication dateAugust 1, 2014Amazon rating4.3/5Print length314LanguageEnglishPublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Tags---DescriptionA spate of murders has unsettled the quiet riverfront community of Notting Hamlet. Scottish barrister Rex Graves is called to the scene, lending his investigatory expertise. This time, however, Rex finds himself facing a danger that makes him fear for his own life. The smooth prose will keep cozy fans turning the pages.Publication dateAugust 8, 2015Amazon rating4.1/5Print length216LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- Tags---DescriptionA glamorous young couple, with everything going for them, are found dead in their Derbyshire home. Scottish barrister Rex Graves feels compelled to investigate, much to the dismay of his fiancée, Helen. He’d promised a weekend of wedding plans, not a double murder. But the case is juicy. Meanwhile, Rex is also called to London for another crime: a cabinet minister’s daughter has been killed in a hit-and-run. He must solve both murders, navigating the pressures of his personal life and the escalating dangers of his cases.Publication dateJanuary 28, 2015Amazon rating4.1/5Print length203LanguageEnglishPublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Tags---DescriptionScottish barrister Rex Graves receives news of the death of Lord Gordon Murgatroyd, known to Rex's colleagues as "Judge Murder." While Murgatroyd is said to have died of natural causes, his daughter Phoebe suspects foul play. Rex, remembering the judge's unexpected kindness, decides to investigate Phoebe's concerns. His inquiry begins with a meeting that quickly reveals a suspect. With a target now on his own back and a child abduction case dominating the region, Rex worries that the judge's death may be the first in a series of crimes.Publication dateNovember 8, 2016Amazon rating4.4/5Print length216LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionThe audience applauds the "death" on stage, mistaking the murder for part of the play. Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister and private detective, knows better. Called to Pinegrove Hall on opening night, Rex must unmask the killer among the cast and crew. The drama features five literary sleuths invited to solve a separate mystery, but when the beautiful young actress meets a sinister end, the real mystery begins. Challinor modernizes classic mystery plots by bringing the stars of those novels to the scene. Rex must use all his skills to navigate the complications waiting in the wings and unmask the true culprit before the curtain falls on another victim.Publication dateJuly 8, 2018Amazon rating4.4/5Print length240LanguageEnglishPublisherMidnight Ink
Order of Standalone Novels
- TagscrimemysteryDescriptionWhen Florida Realtor Angelica Lane takes on a new client, the debonair Brit Peter Bedford, she believes it's a dream listing. But Bedford's intentions are far from honorable, and when his beachfront condo becomes a murder scene, Angelica finds herself the prime suspect. Her problems escalate when a colleague disappears, forcing Angelica to play sleuth while navigating legal troubles and her tyrannical boss, Broker Bob. Only when she teams up with an unlikely private investigator does she begin to unravel the mysteries of the high-profile killing and discover a few things about love along the way. Set against the backdrops of Southwest Florida and the exotic island of Kauai, BREATHTAKING offers a satirical escape into romantic suspense. Will Angelica clear her name and find the killer before she becomes the next victim?Publication dateOctober 15, 2012Amazon rating4.3/5Print length258LanguageEnglishPublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Frequently Asked Questions about C.S. Challinor
The Rex Graves mysteries do not need to be read in a specific order. While they feature the same central character, Rex Graves, each novel presents a self-contained plot. Readers can begin with any book in the series and follow the mysteries without feeling lost. This approach allows for flexibility in choosing which installment to experience first, whether it's the first published or one that catches a reader's eye due to its setting or title. The series is designed for accessibility, so picking up any title will provide a complete narrative experience.
A good starting point for C.S. Challinor's work is her debut novel, Christmas is Murder, published in 2008. This book introduced Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister and amateur sleuth, and established the tone and style of the Rex Graves mystery series. It became a #1 Kindle Bestseller (paid sales), indicating its early appeal. Beginning with the first book allows readers to follow the evolution of the character and the series from its inception. However, as the books are designed to be read in any order, Christmas is Murder is simply one of many accessible entry points.
No, readers do not have to read C.S. Challinor's books in a specific order. The Rex Graves mystery series is structured so that each novel functions as a standalone story. While Rex Graves is the recurring protagonist, the mysteries are independent of one another. This means a reader can pick up any book in the series and understand and enjoy the plot without prior knowledge of previous installments. The author has structured the series to offer this flexibility, making it easy for new readers to engage with the books.
C.S. Challinor writes series fiction. She is known for the Rex Graves cozy mystery series, which features a recurring character, Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister who solves crimes. While each book in the series presents a self-contained mystery, they are all part of this larger series. Challinor has not published standalone novels as part of her known work; her primary focus has been on developing the Rex Graves character and the mysteries surrounding him within this ongoing series structure.
C.S. Challinor has written at least eight books in the Rex Graves mystery series. The series began in 2008 with Christmas is Murder. Subsequent titles include Murder at the Feast, Murder on the Riviera, Murder in the Tropics, Murder on the Boardwalk, Murder in the Dark, Murder in the Library, and Murder in the Mews. These contemporary whodunits are published by Midnight Ink and are set in various locations, often featuring Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister and amateur sleuth, as he investigates crimes.
The first book C.S. Challinor wrote is Christmas is Murder. This novel, published in 2008, launched the Rex Graves cozy mystery series. It introduced readers to Rex Graves, a Scottish barrister who uses his observational and deductive skills to solve crimes. The book is set in Scotland and features a closed circle of suspects, a common element in the series. Christmas is Murder achieved success by becoming a #1 Kindle Bestseller (paid sales), establishing the foundation for the subsequent books in the series.
Information regarding C.S. Challinor's most recent book is not available in the provided data. The Rex Graves series has had multiple installments, with the latest known titles including Murder in the Mews. However, without specific publication dates for all books in the series, it is not possible to definitively identify the most recent release. The series is known for its contemporary whodunit style, featuring Rex Graves solving mysteries in various settings.
C.S. Challinor writes cozy mysteries. Her primary body of work is the Rex Graves series, which are contemporary whodunits. These novels typically feature a Scottish barrister named Rex Graves who acts as an amateur sleuth. The mysteries often involve a closed circle of suspects and are characterized by Rex's reliance on observation and deduction to solve the crimes. While the settings vary, including Scotland, England, the Caribbean, and Key West, the genre remains consistent within the cozy mystery framework.
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We verified the reading order for C.S. Challinor's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “C.S. Challinor Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/cs-challinor