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Donut Shop Mysteries Books in Order

58 Books
2010 – 2015 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Path: Start at the Beginning

When it comes to Jessica Beck’s bestselling Donut Shop Mysteries, the path to the best reading experience is simple and sweet: read them in publication order. Because the character relationships, romantic subplots, and the evolution of the main coffee shop develop incrementally, jumping into the middle of this long-running series will spoil key character growth and plot threads.

The series begins with Glazed Murder (2010), which introduces readers to Suzanne Hart. After a messy divorce from her cheating ex-husband, Max, Suzanne decides to pursue her lifelong passion by opening her own shop, Donut Hearts, in the cozy town of April Springs, North Carolina. The very first book establishes the core formula: a body is dumped right outside her shop, making Suzanne a prime suspect and forcing her to step in as an amateur detective to clear her name. Reading the books sequentially allows you to watch Suzanne’s sleuthing skills mature alongside her shop's recipes.

Donut Shop Mysteries Publication Order

Below is the complete list of all 58 primary novels in the Donut Shop Mysteries series in their official order of publication. Chronological order matches the publication sequence, making it the definitive checklist for your reading journey:

  1. Glazed Murder (2010) - Suzanne Hart's debut investigation when a body is found outside Donut Hearts.
  2. Fatally Frosted (2010) - Suzanne must clear her name when a local busybody dies after eating a Donut Hearts pastry.
  3. Sinister Sprinkles (2010) - Suzanne's ex-husband Max becomes the prime suspect in a murder case, and she must sleuth to find the real killer.
  4. Evil Eclairs (2011)
  5. Tragic Toppings (2011)
  6. Killer Crullers (2012)
  7. Drop Dead Chocolate (2012)
  8. Powdered Peril (2012)
  9. Illegally Iced (2012)
  10. Deadly Donuts (2013)
  11. Assault and Batter (2013)
  12. Sweet Suspects (2013)
  13. Deep Fried Homicide (2014)
  14. Custard Crime (2014)
  15. Lemon Larceny (2014)
  16. Bad Bites (2014)
  17. Old Fashioned Crooks (2014)
  18. Dangerous Dough (2015)
  19. Troubled Treats (2015)
  20. Sugar Coated Sins (2015)
  21. Criminal Crumbs (2015)
  22. A Holiday Donut Steal (2015)
  23. Vanilla Vices (2015)
  24. Raspberry Revenge (2016)
  25. Fugitive Filling (2016)
  26. Devil's Food Defense (2016)
  27. Pumpkin Pleas (2016)
  28. Floured Felonies (2016)
  29. Mixed Malice (2016)
  30. Tasty Trials (2017)
  31. Baked Books (2017)
  32. Cranberry Crimes (2017)
  33. Boston Cream Bribery (2017)
  34. Cherry Filled Charges (2017)
  35. Scary Sweets (2017)
  36. Cocoa Crush (2017)
  37. Pastry Penalties (2018)
  38. Apple Stuffed Alibis (2018)
  39. Perjury Proof (2018)
  40. Caramel Canvas (2019)
  41. Dark Drizzles (2019)
  42. Counterfeit Confections (2019)
  43. Measured Mayhem (2019)
  44. Blended Bribes (2019)
  45. Sifted Sentences (2019)
  46. Dusted Discoveries (2020)
  47. Nasty Knead (2020)
  48. Rigged Rising (2020)
  49. Donut Despair (2020)
  50. Whisked Warnings (2020)
  51. Baker's Burden (2020)
  52. Battered Bluff (2020)
  53. The Hole Truth (2021)
  54. Donut Disturb (2021)
  55. Wicked Wedding Donuts (2021)
  56. Donut Hearts Homicide (2022)
  57. Jelly-Filled Justice (2022)
  58. The Last Donut (2023)

Chronological Order, Novellas, and the "59 Books" Discrepancy

For readers researching the series online, there is sometimes confusion regarding the exact number of books. While some catalog databases mention 59 books, the core novel series consists of 58 primary works. The 59th entry in various reader lists is typically a placeholder for box sets, omnibus editions, or companion collections. Following the 58 novels in order will take you seamlessly through Suzanne’s personal and professional life without missing a single beat of the plot.

Because the story flows linearly, you do not need to worry about complex prequels or chronologically shifted side stories. Jessica Beck writes in a direct, forward-moving timeline, keeping the focus on Suzanne's daily operations at the shop and the mysterious happenings of April Springs.

Cast of Characters and Small-Town Charm

April Springs, North Carolina, is a character in its own right, defined by its warmth, community, and the occasional homicide. Key residents include:

  • Suzanne Hart: The heart of the series. Energetic, resilient, and passionate about donuts, her curiosity gets her into trouble, but her deduction skills get her out of it.
  • Grace Gauge: Suzanne's bubbly and supportive best friend, who acts as the perfect sounding board and sidekick during investigations.
  • Max Hart: Suzanne's ex-husband, a somewhat vain and dramatic out-of-work actor she playfully calls "The Great Impersonator." Despite their divorce, he frequently pops up to cause minor headaches or ask for help.
  • Inspector Jake Bishop: The local law enforcement officer who frequently finds himself investigating the same crimes as Suzanne. Their chemistry and evolving romance form a central subplot of the series.
  • Chief Phillip Martin: Jake’s boss, who represents the official police department and tries to keep Suzanne from interfering in official business.
  • George: A retired local cop who adds small-town wisdom and a friendly face to Donut Hearts.

What to Know Before You Start

Pseudonyms and Recipes

Jessica Beck is actually the pen name of Tim Myers, an incredibly prolific cozy mystery author. If you love the writing style of the Donut Shop Mysteries, Myers writes under several other pseudonyms and has created other popular food-themed cozy series. Each novel in the Donut Shop Mysteries features real, mouthwatering donut recipes at the end, letting you bake the exact treats Suzanne serves in the books.

What to Read Next

If you finish all 58 books of the Donut Shop Mysteries and want to stay within the author's cozy domain, check out these companion series by the same author:

  • Classic Diner Mysteries (written as Jessica Beck) - Follows Victoria and Greg running The Charming Moose Diner in Jasper Fork, North Carolina.
  • Cast Iron Cooking Mysteries (written as Jessica Beck) - Follows twins Pat and Annie at the Cast Iron Store and Grill.
  • Ghost Cat Cozy Mysteries (written as Jessica Beck) - Features Christy Blake and her helpful ghost cat, Midnight.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Donut Shop Mysteries books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the end of the novel, the overall character relationships, romantic subplots, and Suzanne's personal life progress chronologically. It is highly recommended to read them in order, starting with Glazed Murder.

QWho is the author behind the Jessica Beck pseudonym?

Jessica Beck is the pen name of Tim Myers, a bestselling author who has also published cozy mysteries under several other names, including Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, and Casey Mayes.

QAre there real recipes in the Donut Shop Mysteries books?

Yes! Every book in the series includes real, step-by-step donut recipes that match the delicious treats Suzanne Hart bakes in her shop, Donut Hearts.

QWhat is the final book in the Donut Shop Mysteries series?

The 58th and final novel in the main series is The Last Donut, which was published in September 2023.

QWhy do some websites list 59 books in the Donut Shop Mysteries series?

Some listings count omnibus editions, short stories, or special collections as a 59th entry. The core narrative sequence consists of exactly 58 novels.