The Recommended Ellen McKenzie Reading Order
For the best reading experience, the Ellen McKenzie series by Kathleen Delaney should be read in order of publication. Because the series relies heavily on character growth, particularly the developing romance between Ellen and Police Chief Dan Dunham, reading the books chronologically ensures you do not miss key relationship milestones and community changes in the fictional town of Santa Louisa.
- Dying for a Change (2002)
- Give First Place to Murder (2004)
- And Murder for Dessert (2007)
- Murder Half-Baked (2011)
- Murder by Syllabub (2013)
The Ellen McKenzie Books in Detail
1. Dying for a Change (2002)
The series begins with Dying for a Change, introducing readers to Ellen McKenzie, a recently divorced forty-something woman who has returned to her quaint hometown of Santa Louisa on California's Central Coast. Seeking a fresh start, Ellen resumes her career as a real estate broker. However, her first property showing turns into a nightmare when she discovers a dead body inside a historic Victorian house. The murder investigation quickly becomes entangled with a heated local controversy involving a proposed big-box store development. As Ellen uses her local knowledge and sharp wits to clear her own name, she crosses paths with Santa Louisa's handsome Police Chief, Dan Dunham, establishing a spark that defines the rest of the series.
2. Give First Place to Murder (2004)
In the second installment, Ellen is pulled away from her real estate listings and thrust into the high-stakes, competitive world of equestrian competitions. When a groom is found dead, pinned beneath a heavy hay bale at a local horse show, the death is quickly deemed suspicious. Ellen begins investigating the tight-knit horse community, uncovering deep rivalries, valuable show horses, and hidden greed. Delaney draws directly on her own personal experience breeding Arabian horses to deliver an authentic, detailed look at the equestrian world, making this a fan favorite for animal lovers and cozy mystery enthusiasts alike.
3. And Murder for Dessert (2007)
The third book shifts the action to California's lush wine country during a major regional festival. When a prominent gourmet chef is found murdered, drowned inside a winery's fermenting tank, the local community is shocked. The situation hits home for Ellen when her niece becomes the prime suspect. To protect her family, Ellen dives into the competitive culinary and wine industry, uncovering a web of professional jealousy, secret recipes, and long-held grudges. And Murder for Dessert blends rich descriptions of local vineyards with a complex, satisfying puzzle.
4. Murder Half-Baked (2011)
With her wedding to Chief Dan Dunham rapidly approaching, Ellen is overwhelmed by planning the perfect ceremony. However, her wedding preparations are interrupted by the discovery of two bodies: one in a local bakery and another in the cemetery, where a prominent doctor has been crushed by the marble arm of a heavy angel statue. Simultaneously, Ellen is helping Grace House, a local transitional shelter for women, find a new home. When the shelter is burned to the ground in an apparent arson, Ellen takes the displaced women and a newborn baby into her own home, leading to a crowded house and a race against time to catch a killer before she walks down the aisle.
5. Murder by Syllabub (2013)
The final book in the series takes Ellen and her eccentric Aunt Mary away from their familiar California setting to a historic plantation house in Virginia. Elizabeth Smithwood, Aunt Mary's lifelong friend, owns the estate and believes it is haunted by a ghost dressed in colonial-era attire. The situation becomes deadly when the "ghost"—revealed to be Monty, Elizabeth's estranged stepson—is found dead from a poisoned glass of syllabub, a traditional cream-based beverage. With Elizabeth accused of the crime, Ellen must navigate Southern history, secret passages, and deep family feuds to uncover the truth.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Because the Ellen McKenzie series follows a strict internal timeline, the chronological reading order is identical to the publication order. The main characters age, relationships evolve, and major life events—such as Ellen and Dan's wedding planning and eventual marriage—occur in sequence. Reading the books out of order will result in major spoilers regarding Ellen's personal life and the fates of recurring supporting characters in Santa Louisa.
What to Know Before You Start
Kathleen Delaney's writing is characterized by its authentic settings and warm, community-driven plots. Having worked as a real estate broker and spent years breeding Arabian horses, Delaney infuses her novels with realistic details about property deals and equestrian culture. The series is classified as a classic cozy mystery, meaning it features minimal graphic violence, clean language, and a strong focus on relationships, local gossip, and puzzle-solving. Readers who enjoy small-town atmospheres, light romance, and smart, independent heroines will find the Ellen McKenzie series to be a delightful weekend read.
Beyond Ellen McKenzie: Kathleen Delaney's Other Mysteries
For readers who finish the Ellen McKenzie series and want to explore more of Kathleen Delaney's work, the author also penned the Mary McGill Dog Mystery series. This series offers a similar cozy tone, featuring an active community volunteer and her loyal canine companion solving mysteries in a small-town environment. The Mary McGill books are excellent companion reads for fans who appreciate Delaney's trademark blend of humor, warmth, and clever whodunits.