Books On Board
series Reading Order

Dekker Cozy Mystery Books in Order

24 Books
2006 – 2021 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path for Dekker Cozy Mystery

For the best experience, readers should start at the beginning of the series with 52 Steps to Murder. This debut novel introduces the main characters, Lieutenant Cy Dekker and Sergeant Lou Murdock, setting the tone for the entire series. It establishes their close friendship, their signature humorous banter, their distinct dislike of physical exercise (highlighted by the fifty-two steps they must climb to investigate their first case), and their shared love of good food and chocolate.

Because the series follows the personal lives, relationships, aging, and career developments of Cy and Lou, reading the books in order is highly recommended. While the murder mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final page, the underlying character arcs and recurring jokes build from one installment to the next.

Dekker Cozy Mystery Books in Publication Order

The series follows a straightforward chronological path that mirrors its publication order. Below is the complete list of Steve Demaree's Dekker Cozy Mystery books in the order they were published:

  1. 52 Steps to Murder (2006)
  2. Murder in the Winter (2008)
  3. Murder in the Library (2013)
  4. Murder at Breakfast (2013)
  5. Murder at the High School Reunion (2013)
  6. Murder at the Art & Craft Fair (2013)
  7. Murder in Gatlinburg (2014)
  8. Murder at the Book Fair (2014)
  9. Murder on a Blind Date (2015)
  10. A Body on the Porch (2016)
  11. Two Bodies in the Backyard (2016)
  12. A Body Under the Christmas Tree (2017)
  13. Murder on Halloween (2017)
  14. A Valentine Murder (2018)
  15. A Body on April Fool's Day (2018)
  16. A Body in the Woods (2019)
  17. A Puzzling Murder (2020)
  18. A Body in Pigeon Forge (2020)
  19. Murder Logically Speaking (2021)
  20. The Unidentified Body (2021)
  21. Wedding Bells and Murder (2022)
  22. The Body Next Door (2023)
  23. Witness to Murder (2024)
  24. The Pink Flamingo Murder (2024)

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

There is no divergence between the publication order and the chronological storyline of the Dekker Cozy Mystery series. The events of the books follow a linear timeline. However, readers should note a small discrepancy in publication dates: the first book was originally published in 2006 and the second in 2008, followed by a gap until 2013 when the series found a steady, rapid digital publishing rhythm. Because of these later Kindle releases, some retail platforms list the first several books as all having been published in 2013. Rest assured, following the numbered list above will keep you perfectly aligned with the storyline.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the Hilldale Police Department's files, here are a few key details that shape the Dekker universe:

  • A Clean and Cozy Vibe: Demaree intentionally writes these books without graphic violence, gore, profanity, or explicit content. They are designed to be family-friendly whodunits that focus on deduction and humor.
  • Banter-Driven Pacing: The pace of these novels is deliberate and relaxed. Much of the narrative flow is driven by the daily lives of Cy and Lou, their eating habits, their domestic interactions, and their comical complaints about aging.
  • Subtle Faith Themes: The series features light Christian themes, reflecting the author's background. Cy Dekker frequently receives subtle daily messages or reminders from God, adding a gentle spiritual layer to his character without becoming overly preachy.
  • Real-World Locations: While the primary setting of Hilldale is fictional, the detectives occasionally travel to real tourist spots. For instance, Murder in Gatlinburg and A Body in Pigeon Forge take the duo to the popular Great Smoky Mountains resort towns in Tennessee.

Spin-Offs and Other Works by Steve Demaree

While the Dekker Cozy Mystery series is Steve Demaree's most prolific work, he has written other mystery and comedy series that fans might enjoy. His Off the Beaten Path Mystery series (featuring titles like Murder in the Dark and A Smoky Mountain Mystery) offers a similar clean mystery feel. For readers looking for pure lighthearted humor, his Aylesford Place series (beginning with Pink Flamingoed) delivers neighborhood comedy and antics. There are no direct crossovers between these series and the Dekker cases, meaning they can be enjoyed completely independently.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Dekker Cozy Mystery series in order?

Yes. While the individual murder mysteries are resolved in each book, the character relationships, domestic lives, and running jokes evolve linearly, making it best to read them in order.

QWhat is the very first book in the Dekker Cozy Mystery series?

The first book in the series is 52 Steps to Murder, which introduces Lieutenant Cy Dekker and Sergeant Lou Murdock.

QAre there Christian themes in these books?

Yes, the series includes light Christian themes. Lieutenant Cy Dekker often receives small, daily messages or promptings from God that guide his outlook.

QIs there any violence or gore in the Dekker Cozy Mystery series?

No. The series is known for being completely clean, with no graphic violence, gore, profanity, or explicit scenes.

QWhere does the Dekker Cozy Mystery series take place?

Most of the stories are set in the fictional town of Hilldale, though the detectives occasionally travel to real locations like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee.

QWho are the primary protagonists of the series?

The series stars Lieutenant Cy Dekker and Sergeant Lou Murdock, two aging, food-loving homicide detectives.