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series Reading Order

Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Books in Order

24 Books
2014 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Cedar Bay Cozy Mysteries

For the best experience, readers should follow the series in its publication order. The main character, Kelly Conner, undergoes significant life developments—including starting a coffee shop, getting married, adopting new pets, and moving through key life milestones—which build upon each other from book to book. Each installment contains a standalone mystery, but the overarching character relationships and town dynamics are best enjoyed chronologically.

Start your journey with Kelly's Koffee Shop (2014) to meet Kelly, her boxer Rebel, and the local sheriff Mike, before following the town's secrets and Kelly's culinary adventures through the rest of the series.

Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Books in Publication and Chronological Order

Because the chronological timeline aligns directly with publication dates, you can read the books in the exact order they were released:

  1. Kelly's Koffee Shop (2014) - The introduction to Kelly, Rebel, and the coastal town of Cedar Bay.
  2. Murder at Jade Cove (2014) - Kelly investigates the suspicious death of a local spa developer.
  3. White Cloud Retreat (2015) - A mystery set at a serene local Zen-style retreat and vineyard.
  4. Marriage & Murder (2015) - Kelly and Sheriff Mike tie the knot, but murder threatens their wedding bells.
  5. Murder in the Pearl District (2015) - The couple's honeymoon in Portland's trendy district turns deadly.
  6. Murder in Calico Gold (2015) - Sleuthing takes a historical turn when old gold country secrets surface.
  7. Murder at the Cooking School (2015) - Kelly takes cooking lessons, only to find a recipe for murder.
  8. Murder in Cuba (2016) - An international fly-fishing trip leads Kelly and Mike to a foreign mystery.
  9. Trouble at the Kennel (2016) - Kelly must solve a crime that hits close to home at a local dog kennel.
  10. Murder on the East Coast (2016) - A travel mystery where East Coast high society collides with murder.
  11. Trouble at the Animal Shelter (2017) - Kelly works to clear the name of a local shelter worker.
  12. Murder and the Movie Star (2017) - Hollywood drama arrives in Cedar Bay with fatal consequences.
  13. Murdered by Wine (2017) - A vintage mystery set amidst Oregon's beautiful wine country.
  14. Murder at the Gearhart (2018) - A coastal hotel getaway turns into a search for a killer.
  15. Wine Country Killer (2018) - A return to the vineyards where a deadly grudge is harvested.
  16. Murder at the Truck Stop (2019) - Roadside secrets and local suspects keep Kelly guessing.
  17. Death in the Bay (2019) - A waterbound mystery threatening the peace of the local marina.
  18. The War Hero's Welcome (2020) - A celebratory homecoming is shattered by a shocking crime.
  19. Kelly & the Dog Park (2020) - A community dispute at the new dog park escalates to murder.
  20. Murdered Mentor (2020) - Kelly investigates the death of a respected local guide and mentor.
  21. Murder at the Spa (2021) - Pampering turns dangerous when a guest is found dead at a local resort.
  22. The Murder Verdict (2022) - A courtroom drama and a race against time to find the true culprit.
  23. The Confession (2023) - A sudden confession raises more questions than answers for Kelly and Mike.
  24. Ransom (2024) - High-stakes kidnapping and secrets push Kelly's sleuthing to the limit.

Key Subseries and Setting Changes

While the series takes place primarily in the fictional, foggy seaside town of Cedar Bay, Oregon, several books act as mini-vacations or subseries shifts. For example, Murder in the Pearl District moves the action to Portland, Murder in Cuba takes the protagonists abroad, and books like Murdered by Wine and Wine Country Killer shift the scenery to regional vineyards. Regardless of the setting, Dianne Harman maintains her signature style, featuring mouthwatering recipes at the end of every book.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series?

You should start with the very first book, Kelly's Koffee Shop, to get introduced to Kelly, Rebel, and the community of Cedar Bay.

QCan the Cedar Bay books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, reading them in order is recommended to follow the ongoing character arcs and relationships.

QAre there recipes included in the Cedar Bay series?

Yes, one of the signature features of Dianne Harman's cozy mysteries is the inclusion of several kitchen-tested recipes at the end of each book.

QWho is the main character in the series?

The main character is Kelly Conner (later Kelly Conner-Smith), a warm coffee shop owner who solves crimes with the help of her boxer dog Rebel and her husband, Sheriff Mike.

QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?

No. The publication order perfectly mirrors the chronological progression of Kelly's life, starting from her opening the shop, getting married, and expanding her family.

QDoes the series take place entirely in Oregon?

While the home base is the coastal town of Cedar Bay, Oregon, Kelly and Mike occasionally travel to other locations such as Portland, Cuba, and regional wine country.