Tom Austen is the protagonist of Eric Hamilton Wilson’s children’s mystery series, set across Canada. A teenager with a knack for stumbling into criminal investigations, Tom travels the country with his sister Liz, solving mysteries in a different Canadian location each book.
The 22-book series ran from Murder on The Canadian (1976) through Red River Ransom (2006) and was widely read in Canadian schools and libraries. Each mystery takes the Austen siblings to a new setting — Winnipeg, Vancouver, Ottawa, the Kootenays, Quebec City — making the series both a detective story and a tour of Canadian geography. The Tom and Liz Austen Mysteries collects all the books in reading order.
Reading Order#
See the complete Tom and Liz Austen Mysteries reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tom Austen?
Tom Austen is the protagonist of Eric Hamilton Wilson’s 22-book children’s mystery series. He is a Canadian teenager with a talent for getting involved in crimes wherever he travels. Along with his sister Liz, Tom investigates mysteries in locations across Canada, from Vancouver to Quebec City to the prairies.
How many books feature Tom Austen?
Tom Austen appears in 22 novels in the Tom and Liz Austen Mysteries, published between 1976 (Murder on The Canadian) and 2006 (Red River Ransom).
Who is Liz Austen?
Liz is Tom’s sister and his partner in solving mysteries. While Tom is often the lead investigator, Liz plays a key role in the cases and the two work together throughout the series. The books are named for both siblings, reflecting their shared adventures.