The Cleopatra Fox Series in Order

About the Cleopatra Fox series

Series Premise

Cleopatra “Cleo” Fox, newly arrived in Chicago after a family tragedy, takes a job at the luxurious Mayfair Hotel, where she repeatedly becomes entangled in suspicious deaths and crimes among guests, staff, and the city’s elite. With the help of the hotel’s enigmatic detective and a small circle of allies, she uncovers motives rooted in greed, jealousy, family secrets, or hidden identities, all while navigating her own complicated past and growing attraction to the man who both assists and frustrates her investigations.

The series should be read in publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery with its own investigation, suspects, and resolution, significant continuity exists: Cleo’s personal backstory, her evolving relationship with Detective Harry Armitage, her deepening ties to the hotel staff, and subtle references to prior cases build progressively across the volumes. Order matters for emotional depth, romantic progression, and avoiding spoilers on major character developments—though the individual mysteries are strong enough to be enjoyed somewhat independently if read out of sequence.

Main Characters

Cleopatra “Cleo” Fox — The protagonist, a bright, resourceful young woman with a sharp eye for detail and a deep love of puzzles. Independent, quick-witted, and kind-hearted, she is determined to make her own way while uncovering the truth behind each crime.

- Harry Armitage — The hotel’s charming, enigmatic detective (and Cleo’s reluctant partner/rival-turned-love-interest). Skilled, observant, and guarded, he hides his own past while gradually opening up to Cleo, creating a slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they dynamic.

- Supporting hotel staff and friends — A warm ensemble of recurring characters: the kind-hearted housekeeper, the gossipy bellboy, the stern but loyal manager, and other employees who provide humor, information, and a strong sense of found family.

- Suspects and victims — A rotating cast of hotel guests, wealthy patrons, and local figures whose motives are typically rooted in greed, jealousy, family secrets, or personal scandal—keeping the mysteries intimate and believable.

Setting

The series is primarily set in early 1920s Chicago, with the luxurious Mayfair Hotel as the central hub—a grand, opulent building filled with marble lobbies, elegant ballrooms, private suites, rooftop gardens, and hidden service corridors where secrets are easily overheard. Mysteries often unfold within the hotel (guest rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, staff quarters) or extend into the vibrant, bustling city—speakeasies, theaters, wealthy mansions, and foggy streets—capturing the glamour and grit of Prohibition-era America. The hotel itself feels like a character: a glittering microcosm of society where the rich, famous, and infamous cross paths, and nothing stays hidden for long.

Tone & Themes

The tone is light-hearted yet suspenseful, with a classic cozy mystery feel that emphasizes clever deduction, witty banter, and warm character moments over graphic violence or grim darkness. The stories are engaging and entertaining—murders are treated seriously but handled with a gentle touch, and the focus remains on puzzle-solving, friendship, and slow-burn romance. Humor is dry and character-driven (Cleo’s quick wit, Harry’s dry sarcasm, hotel staff quirks), while the romance is tender, teasing, and emotionally satisfying. The overall mood is cozy, optimistic, and immersive: justice is served, relationships deepen, and even the most tangled cases end with hope and connection.

C.J. Archer’s Cleopatra Fox series offers delightful, atmospheric cozy mysteries that combine clever sleuthing, slow-burn romance, and the cozy charm of a grand hotel filled with secrets. Through Cleo’s sharp mind and growing bond with Harry, the books explore friendship, loyalty, truth, and the quiet courage it takes to uncover hidden darkness in a glittering world. The series remains a warm, engaging favorite—perfect for readers who love traditional whodunits with humor, heart, and a strong sense of place. It leaves the happy assurance that in a place like the Mayfair Hotel, no mystery is too clever, no secret too well-hidden, and no heart too guarded to be won by persistence and kindness.