The Recommended Reading Order for Fudge Shop Mystery
For readers looking to dive into the sweet and suspenseful world of Fishers' Harbor, the best path forward is simple: read the books in order of their publication. Because the series follows a linear timeline, the character relationships, romantic developments, and business milestones evolve chronologically from book to book.
While the murder mystery in each novel is fully resolved by the final chapter, reading the series in order ensures you won't spoil major subplots, such as the renovation of Ava's bed and breakfast or the shifting dynamics between Ava, her ex-husband Dillon Rivers, and her ex-fiancé Sam Peterson.
Fudge Shop Mystery Books in Order
Here is the complete list of the Fudge Shop Mystery novels in chronological and publication order:
1. First-Degree Fudge (2013)
The series begins with Ava Oosterling returning to her hometown of Fishers' Harbor, Wisconsin, after her screenwriting career stalls. Determined to make a fresh start, she opens a fudge counter inside her grandfather Gil's live bait shop. When a Hollywood star chokes on Ava's Cinderella Pink fudge and dies, revealing a stash of hidden diamonds, Ava becomes the prime suspect. She must find the real killer to save her new business and her freedom.
2. Hot Fudge Frame-Up (2014)
During Fishers' Harbor's annual summer festival, the town is buzzing with excitement—until a local doctor is found dead, stuffed inside a historic lighthouse. Suspicion lands on Ava's friend, and Ava is drawn back into sleuthing. To solve the crime, she must navigate small-town rivalries, secrets hidden within the local lighthouses, and a trail of clues that are as sticky as hot fudge.
3. Five-Alarm Fudge (2015)
Autumn brings the harvest festival to Door County, but the festive atmosphere is shattered when a local resident dies in a suspicious fire. As Ava tries to track down a legendary, secret divinity fudge recipe, she realizes the fire was no accident. With the help of Grandpa Gil and her loyal dog Lucky Harbor, Ava sets out to catch an arsonist who is willing to kill to protect a decades-old secret.
4. Deadly Fudge Divas (2020)
Ava is expanding her horizons by helping run a bed and breakfast, the Blue Heron Inn. Things take a chaotic turn when five former college cheerleaders—known as the "Divas"—check in for a reunion. When one of the guests is murdered and the evidence points directly to Grandpa Gil, Ava goes into overdrive to clear her grandfather's name, digging into the past secrets of the visiting divas.
5. Undercover Fudge (2021)
Ava finds herself helping her best friend, who is coordinating a massive local wedding. Ava's contribution is a set of edible fudge lighthouses for the wedding favors. However, the wedding preparations go awry when a dead body is discovered, and Ava must go undercover within the wedding party to uncover the killer before the big day turns into a total disaster.
6. Holly Jolly Fudge Folly (2023)
The most recent installment brings holiday cheer and chilling mystery to a snowy Door County. As the town prepares for Christmas celebrations, Ava must unravel a festive plot gone wrong. With the winter weather closing in, she relies on her wits, her grandfather's support, and a fresh batch of holiday fudge to track down a killer and restore peace to the lakeside village.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you take your first bite of the Fudge Shop Mystery series, here are a few key details that make this cozy world unique:
An Unusual Culinary Setting
Unlike standard cozy culinary shops, Ava's candy kitchen shares space with her grandfather's business, resulting in the wonderfully quirky name: Oosterlings' Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge. The contrast between live bait buckets and copper kettles of bubbling fudge is a source of constant humor and charm throughout the series.
Vibrant Wisconsin Culture
Author Christine DeSmet draws heavily on her own Wisconsin roots to bring Door County—often called the "Cape Cod of the Midwest"—to life. The books are rich with details of Belgian-American heritage, local lighthouses, lakeside tourist culture, and traditions like the mysterious Belgian skritek gnomes.
Real Recipes Included
If reading about Ava's confections makes you hungry, you're in luck. Every book in the series includes a selection of Ava's actual fudge recipes in the back. Readers can try their hand at making the same treats described in the stories, adding a fun, interactive element to the reading experience.
Evolving Romance
Ava's love life is a central ongoing subplot. She begins the series recovering from a complicated past involving her ex-husband, Dillon Rivers, and her ex-fiancé, Sam Peterson. Over the course of the books, these relationships shift and grow, keeping romantic-mystery fans engaged in the long-term character arcs.