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Cats In Trouble Mysteries Books in Order

8 Books
2009 – 2016 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with the Cats In Trouble Mysteries

For the best reading experience, you should start the Cats In Trouble Mysteries with the very first book, The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse. The series follows the life of Jillian Hart, a widowed quilter who relocates to Mercy, South Carolina, to rebuild her life. Throughout the series, Jillian builds relationships, grows her quilting business, adopts her beloved feline trio, and gets involved in local mysteries. Reading the books in order ensures you see this character development and the evolving dynamics of her pets unfold naturally.

Cats In Trouble Mysteries Publication and Chronological Order

Since the timeline of the series moves forward linearly with each book, the chronological reading order is identical to the publication order. The complete list of books in the series is as follows:

  1. The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse (2009) – Jillian relocates to Mercy, South Carolina, and finds herself investigating a murder after her Abyssinian cat, Syrah, is catnapped.
  2. The Cat, the Professor and the Poison (2010) – Jillian looks into the poisoning of a local professor, leading her to a property overrun with strays.
  3. The Cat, the Lady and the Liar (2011) – Jillian steps in to clear the name of a wealthy local heiress accused of murder.
  4. The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon (2012) – A wedding planning project leads Jillian and her cats into a dark, historical small-town secret.
  5. The Cat, the Mill and the Murder (2013) – Jillian investigates a local mill after a body is uncovered, revealing long-hidden town rivalries.
  6. The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim (2014) – A stray cat and a homeless man guide Jillian to clues surrounding a local murder.
  7. The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret (2015) – Jillian's wedding plans are complicated by a kleptomaniac cat and a mysterious locket.
  8. The Cat, the Collector and the Killer (2016) – The final mystery in the series centers on an animal hoarder and a dark conspiracy.

Spin-offs, Co-authored Books, and Other Works

The Cats In Trouble Mysteries is a standalone series written solely by Leann Sweeney, consisting of eight core novels. There are no official fictional spin-offs, crossover novels, or short story collections set in this universe. However, fans seeking a bit of extra connection can check out Leann Sweeney's contributions to the collaborative non-fiction books published under the Cozy Chicks Kitchen banner, which features recipes and anecdotes from a group of cozy mystery authors.

If you finish the Cats In Trouble series and want to read more by Leann Sweeney, she is also the author of the Yellow Rose Mysteries, a private investigator series set in Texas. Note that the two series do not share characters or storylines.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Cats In Trouble Mysteries?

You should read the series in publication order, starting with The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse. This allows you to follow Jillian's personal life, relationships, and pet dynamics in the order they develop.

QHow many books are in the Cats In Trouble series?

There are exactly eight novels in the series, beginning in 2009 and concluding with the eighth book, The Cat, the Collector and the Killer, in 2016.

QWho are Jillian Hart's helper cats?

Jillian is aided by her three beloved feline companions: Syrah (a clever Abyssinian), Chablis, and Merlot. Their behavior and instincts often help point her toward clues.

QAre there any short stories or spin-off series?

No, there are no official spin-offs or short stories featuring Jillian Hart. However, author Leann Sweeney contributed recipes and stories to the collaborative Cozy Chicks Kitchen series alongside other cozy mystery writers.

QWhat other books has Leann Sweeney written?

Aside from the Cats In Trouble series, Leann Sweeney wrote the Yellow Rose Mysteries (featuring investigator Abby Morrison) and the Abby Morrison Mysteries, which are set in Texas and are completely separate from Jillian Hart's story.