Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cat Lady Mystery Books in Order

5 Books
2018 – 2020 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Cat Lady Mystery Series

The Cat Lady Mystery series by Linda Reilly is a linear cozy mystery series that should be read in publication order. Reading the books chronologically ensures you can follow the continuous development of the characters, the growth of the High Cliff Shelter for Cats, and the unfolding mystery of Lara's spectral cat companion, Blue.

Cat Lady Mystery Books in Order

  1. Escape Claws (2017) – Lara Caphart returns to Whisker Jog to help her Aunt Fran manage her home and eleven cats. When a local property developer is found dead, Lara must clear her aunt's name with the help of a mysterious blue-eyed Ragdoll cat named Blue.
  2. Claws of Death (2018) – When a retired Hollywood actress moves to town and adopts cats from the shelter, she is quickly accused of murdering a local teacher. Lara and Blue team up to find the real killer.
  3. Claws for Celebration (2018) – Holiday preparations in Whisker Jog turn deadly when a home economics teacher is poisoned by a cookie during a local contest, prompting Lara to investigate the victim's secrets.
  4. Claws of Action (2019) – Lara and Fran's plans to open a children's reading room at the shelter are threatened by a strict health inspector. When the inspector is murdered, Lara becomes the prime suspect.
  5. The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo (2020) – While helping her best friend plan a wedding, Lara is drawn into a new investigation when a young woman with a distinctive kitten tattoo becomes embroiled in a murder case.

Why the Series is Best Read Chronologically

Each mystery in the series is self-contained, but the overarching story follows Lara's transition back to her hometown, her budding relationship with her boyfriend Gideon, and her collaboration with her best friend Sherry. Furthermore, Lara's unique bond with Blue—the spectral cat she believes is the reincarnation of her childhood pet—evolves significantly from book to book, making chronological reading the most rewarding experience.

What to Read Next

If you enjoy Linda Reilly's cozy writing style, she has authored other food-themed mystery series that make excellent next steps:

  • Grilled Cheese Mysteries: Follows Carly Hale, owner of a grilled cheese eatery in Balsam Dell, starting with Up to No Gouda (2022).
  • Deep Fried Mysteries: Follows Talia Marby as she sleuths around a fish and chips eatery, starting with Fillet of Murder (2015).

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Cat Lady Mystery series?

The recommended reading order is the publication order, starting with Escape Claws (2017) and concluding with The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo (2020).

QDo I need to read the Cat Lady Mystery books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in order. While the individual murder mysteries are resolved in each book, the character dynamics, romantic subplots, and the background details of the High Cliff Shelter develop sequentially.

QWho is the main character in the Cat Lady Mystery series?

The main protagonist is Lara Caphart, a watercolor artist who runs the High Cliff Shelter for Cats in New Hampshire alongside her Aunt Fran.

QIs Blue a real cat or a ghost?

Blue is a spectral Ragdoll cat with striking blue eyes that only Lara can see. Lara believes he is the spirit of her childhood pet, and he frequently points her toward clues to help solve crimes.

QIs the Cat Lady Mystery series complete?

Yes, the series is complete with five books. The final installment is The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo, published in 2020.

QHas Linda Reilly written other cozy mysteries?

Yes, she is also the author of the Grilled Cheese Mysteries (beginning with Up to No Gouda) and the Deep Fried Mysteries (beginning with Fillet of Murder).