Books On Board
series Reading Order

Candy Holliday Mysteries Books in Order

8 Books
2010 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order

To experience the full charm of Cape Willington and follow Candy Holliday's personal growth, we highly recommend reading the series in its original publication order. The timeline progresses chronologically, carrying characters and subplots from one festival to the next.

  1. Town in a Blueberry Jam (2010)
  2. Town in a Lobster Stew (2011)
  3. Town in a Wild Moose Chase (2012)
  4. Town in a Pumpkin Bash (2013)
  5. Town in a Strawberry Swirl (2014)
  6. Town in a Sweet Pickle (2015)
  7. Town in a Cinnamon Toast (2016)
  8. Town in a Maple Madness (2017)

Chronological Timeline & Reading Caveats

The chronological order of the Candy Holliday Mysteries perfectly aligns with the publication order. There are no prequels, side stories, or complex timeline jumps. Each book centers around a specific seasonal celebration or local harvest in the fictional town of Cape Willington, Maine, ranging from summer blueberry festivals to autumn pumpkin bashes and winter-to-spring maple syrup events.

While the mystery in each book is fully resolved, the relationships between Candy, her father (Doc), and the local residents evolve continuously. Skipping around will spoil these relationship arcs.

Behind the Pen Name

B.B. Haywood is the joint pseudonym of the husband-and-wife writing duo Beth and Robert Freeman. In library catalogs and official copyright registries, their name is frequently spelled as "Feeman." The couple drew inspiration for the fictional Cape Willington from their road trips and explorations of coastal Maine.

Beyond the eight main novels, the duo contributed several recipes to the multi-author compilation The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today's Bestselling Mystery Authors (2015), representing their only other publishing credit under the B.B. Haywood name.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best book to start with in the Candy Holliday series?

You should start with the first novel, Town in a Blueberry Jam, to introduce yourself to Candy, her father Doc, and the town dynamics from the very beginning.

QAre the Candy Holliday mysteries written by a single author?

No. B.B. Haywood is a pen name for the co-authoring husband-and-wife team of Beth and Robert Freeman (often cataloged as Feeman).

QIs Cape Willington, Maine, a real place?

No, Cape Willington is a fictional town. However, the authors based its coastal geography, blueberry fields, and small-town atmosphere on real locations across Maine.

QDo you need to read the Candy Holliday series in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended. While the individual murder investigations are self-contained, the personal lives and relationships of the recurring characters progress chronologically.

QAre there recipes included in the books?

Yes! Each installment features themed New England and seasonal recipes at the back of the book, matching the culinary focus of the mystery.

QIs the Candy Holliday series complete?

Yes, the series concluded with the eighth book, Town in a Maple Madness, which was published in 2017.