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series Reading Order

Big Uneasy Books in Order

11 Books
2013 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Big Uneasy Series

For the best experience, readers should follow the Big Uneasy series in its publication order. While each novel features a standalone mystery and focuses on a different couple, the sprawling Baker family members appear throughout the series. Reading in order allows you to follow the family relationships, character developments, and running jokes without spoilers.

The Big Uneasy Reading Order

Here is the recommended reading path for the Big Uneasy series, including all main novels and short stories/novellas:

  1. Relatively Risky (Book 1, 2013) – Nell Whitby and Alex Baker's story.
  2. Family Treed (Book 1.5, 2013) – A short story that bridges the first and second novels.
  3. Dead Spaces (Book 2, 2015) – Hannah Baker and Logan Ferris's story.
  4. Louisiana Lagniappe (Book 3, 2017) – Becca Smith Poole and Zach Baker's story.
  5. Worry Beads (Book 4, 2018) – The next installment in the Baker family investigations.
  6. Fais Do Do Die (Book 5, 2020) – Sarah Burland and Calvin Baker's story.
  7. Beaucoup Fracas (Book 6, 2021) – Continues the romantic mystery saga.
  8. The Family Way (Book 6.5, 2022) – A short story centering on Nell's chaotic baby shower.
  9. Pirogue Wipe Out (Book 7, 2022) – Another high-stakes romp in New Orleans.
  10. Bourre Brouhaha (Book 8, 2022) – Adds more humor and danger to the family dynamics.
  11. Soc Au' Lait Stiff (Book 9, 2024) – NOPD Detective Ben Baker and Maia Henry's story.
  12. Gumbo Ya-Ya Exit (Book 10, 2024) – Madeline Baker's story as she tackles a cold case.
  13. Boucherie Breakdown (Book 11, 2026) – Detective Banks Fontenot investigates a storm-trapped locked-room mystery.

Understanding the Baker Family Dynamics

At the core of the Big Uneasy series is the massive, law-enforcement-oriented Baker family, sometimes referred to as the "Baker's Dozen" due to the thirteen siblings. Author Pauline Baird Jones (known to fans as "Perilous Pauline") has expressed a goal to write stories for all thirteen siblings. This recurring cast of upstanding heroes, combined with quirky civilian heroines and a vibrant, post-Katrina New Orleans backdrop, gives the series its signature cozy-yet-suspenseful vibe.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Big Uneasy series?

You should start with the first novel, Relatively Risky, to get introduced to the Baker family and the setting before moving forward.

QAre the books in the Big Uneasy series standalones?

Yes, each main novel features a self-contained romantic suspense mystery and a satisfying resolution for its primary couple, but reading them in order is recommended to follow the overarching family dynamics.

QWhat genre is the Big Uneasy series?

The series is a gumbo of genres, blending romantic suspense, cozy mystery, quirky humor, and a light touch of noir.

QWho is the author of the Big Uneasy series?

The series is written by USA Today bestselling author Pauline Baird Jones, who also writes science fiction romance and other mystery series.

QHow many Baker siblings are there?

There are thirteen siblings in the law-enforcing Baker family. The author intends to eventually write a story for each of them.

QWhat is the latest book in the series?

The latest installment is Boucherie Breakdown, which was published in early 2026 and features a locked-room mystery setup.