Books On Board
series Reading Order

Charlie Parker Mysteries Books in Order

23 Books
1995 – 2020 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with the Charlie Parker Mysteries

For the best experience, readers should start with the first novel in the series, Deadly Gamble (1995). Starting here introduces you to Charlotte "Charlie" Parker as a self-employed accountant who reluctantly gets pulled into detective work. Reading the series from the beginning allows you to watch her career grow, her relationship with pilot Drake Langston develop, and her bond with her dog Rusty deepen over time.

Charlie Parker Books in Order of Publication

Because the chronological timeline of Charlie's life moves forward with each book, the chronological order matches the publication order exactly. Here is the full list of books in the series:

  1. Deadly Gamble (1995)
  2. Vacations Can Be Murder (1995)
  3. Partnerships Can Be Murder (1997 - also published as Partnerships Can Kill)
  4. Small Towns Can Be Murder (1998)
  5. Memories Can Be Murder (1999)
  6. Honeymoons Can Be Murder (2001)
  7. Reunions Can Be Murder (2002)
  8. Competition Can Be Murder (2004)
  9. Balloons Can Be Murder (2005)
  10. Obsessions Can Be Murder (2006)
  11. Holidays Can Be Murder (2009)
  12. Gossip Can Be Murder (2010)
  13. Stardom Can Be Murder (2011)
  14. Phantoms Can Be Murder (2012)
  15. Buried Secrets Can Be Murder (2013)
  16. Legends Can Be Murder (2014)
  17. Weddings Can Be Murder (2016)
  18. Alibis Can Be Murder (2017)
  19. Escapes Can Be Murder (2019)
  20. Old Bones Can Be Murder (2020)
  21. Money Can Be Murder (2022)
  22. Road Trips Can Be Murder (2023)
  23. Cruises Can Be Murder (2024)

The Novella and Numbering Discrepancies

When searching for these books online, you might notice some numbering confusion. The book Old Bones Can Be Murder (2020) is a shorter, 156-page novella set in England. Author Connie Shelton originally designated this story as Book 18.5 in the sequence. However, many retailers and databases index it as Book 20, which shifts the numbers for all subsequent books (making Money Can Be Murder Book 21, and so on). Regardless of the numbering system you see, the reading sequence remains the same.

Spin-Offs and Other Series Connections

Connie Shelton's fictional universe has a few notable connections and spin-offs:

  • Samantha Sweet Mysteries: The protagonist of this supernatural-tinged cozy series, Samantha Sweet, was first introduced in the Charlie Parker novel Gossip Can Be Murder before launching her own series with Sweet Masterpiece in 2010.
  • Ben Pecos Mysteries: While the Charlie Parker books are written entirely by Connie Shelton, she co-authored the Native American themed Ben Pecos mystery series with the late author Susan Slater.
  • A Quick Warning: Do not confuse Connie Shelton's cozy Charlie Parker Mysteries with the famous Charlie Parker thriller series by John Connolly. Connolly's series features a male detective, is set in Maine, and has a much darker, supernatural tone.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Charlie Parker Mysteries?

You should start with the first book, Deadly Gamble (1995), to see Charlie's origin story as an accountant transitioning into PI work.

QIs there a difference between the publication and chronological order?

No, there is no difference. The series timeline progresses chronologically in the exact order the books were published.

QIs Old Bones Can Be Murder a novel or a novella?

It is a shorter, 156-page novella set in England. The author designates it as Book 18.5, though some stores number it as Book 20.

QHow does the Samantha Sweet series connect to Charlie Parker?

Samantha Sweet is introduced in the Charlie Parker novel Gossip Can Be Murder before starting her own cozy spin-off series.

QDid Connie Shelton write any Charlie Parker books with co-authors?

No, Shelton is the sole author of the Charlie Parker series. She has only co-authored books for the Ben Pecos Mysteries series with Susan Slater.

QAre Connie Shelton's and John Connolly's Charlie Parker series related?

No. Connie Shelton writes cozy Southwest mysteries featuring Charlotte "Charlie" Parker. John Connolly writes dark, gritty thrillers featuring a male detective named Charlie Parker.