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Books by the Bay Mysteries Books in Order

8 Books
2010 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Books by the Bay Mysteries

To get the most out of the series, we highly recommend reading the books in their order of publication. Olivia Limoges' personal growth, her evolving relationships, and the secrets of Oyster Bay develop continuously across the novels, making a sequential read the most rewarding path.

Publication and Recommended Reading Order

Since the chronological events follow the release dates, you can follow this simple, straightforward list to read the series in order:

  1. A Killer Plot (2010)
  2. A Deadly Cliché (2011)
  3. The Last Word (2011)
  4. Written in Stone (2012)
  5. Poisoned Prose (2013)
  6. Lethal Letters (2014)
  7. Writing All Wrongs (2015)
  8. Killer Characters (2017)

Crossovers and Connections

Although the main arc of the Books by the Bay series concludes with Killer Characters, Olivia Limoges' universe isn't entirely closed. Ellery Adams has delighted fans with crossovers into her other works:

  • The Book Retreat Mysteries: Olivia Limoges makes guest appearances in this series (which stars Jane Steward at Storyton Hall). Crucially, in the ninth installment of that series, Murder in the Book Lover's Loft, the setting moves to Oyster Bay, and Olivia plays a major role in helping solve the mystery.

Where to Start Reading

For the best experience, you should start with the first novel, A Killer Plot. Beginning here allows you to watch Olivia transition from a guarded, solitary restaurant owner into a dedicated friend and lead investigator alongside her black standard poodle, Captain Haviland, and the members of the Bayside Book Writers club.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the Books by the Bay Mysteries series about?

The series follows Olivia Limoges, a restaurant owner in the coastal town of Oyster Bay, North Carolina. Alongside her poodle, Captain Haviland, and the Bayside Book Writers club, she solves local murders that often feature literary-themed clues.

QHow many books are in the Books by the Bay Mysteries?

There are eight books in the core series, starting with A Killer Plot in 2010 and ending with Killer Characters in 2017.

QDo I need to read the Books by the Bay series in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in order. While each mystery is resolved within its own book, Olivia's personal character growth and her relationships with the townsfolk build continuously from one book to the next.

QIs the Books by the Bay series connected to other Ellery Adams books?

Yes. Olivia Limoges makes crossover appearances in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mysteries, most notably playing a significant role in the ninth book, Murder in the Book Lover's Loft, when the mystery moves to Oyster Bay.

QIs the Books by the Bay Mysteries series completed?

Yes, the main Books by the Bay story arc is completed with the eighth book, Killer Characters, though Olivia continues to exist in the author's shared universe.