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Hemlock Falls Mysteries Books in Order

19 Books
1994 – 2013 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, you should read the Hemlock Falls Mysteries in publication order. Although each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the underlying story arc, the evolution of the Inn at Hemlock Falls, the changing relationships among the quirky townsfolk, and the personal growth of the Quilliam sisters develop sequentially. Starting with the debut novel allows you to appreciate the growth of the characters and the community from the very beginning.

Hemlock Falls Mysteries Publication Order

Written by Claudia Bishop (the pen name of Mary Stanton), the series officially spans 18 novels published between 1994 and 2013. Below is the chronological publication sequence:

  1. A Taste for Murder (1994)
  2. A Dash of Death (1995)
  3. A Pinch of Poison (1995)
  4. Murder Well-Done (1996)
  5. Death Dines Out (1997)
  6. A Touch of the Grape (1998)
  7. A Steak in Murder (1999)
  8. Marinade for Murder (2000)
  9. Just Desserts (2002)
  10. Fried by Jury (2003)
  11. A Puree of Poison (2003)
  12. Buried by Breakfast (2004)
  13. A Dinner to Die For (2006)
  14. Ground to a Halt (2007)
  15. A Carol for a Corpse (2007)
  16. Toast Mortem (2010)
  17. Dread on Arrival (2012)
  18. A Fete Worse Than Death (2013)

Understanding the 18 vs. 19 Book Count Discrepancy

When searching for the series, you might run across bibliographies listing 19 books instead of 18. This discrepancy is caused by the volume A Plateful of Murder (published in 2009). Some retailers and databases mistakenly index it as the 16th novel in the series. In reality, it is a two-in-one omnibus edition containing the first two novels: A Taste for Murder and A Dash of Death. There are 18 standalone novels in total.

Chronological Caveats and Omnibus Editions

Since the chronological order matches the publication order, readers have a straightforward path. If you are looking to collect the books or want a cost-effective way to start, keep an eye out for these official omnibus releases:

  • A Plateful of Murder (2009) – Collects Book 1 (A Taste for Murder) and Book 2 (A Dash of Death).
  • Death in Two Courses (2010) – Collects Book 3 (A Pinch of Poison) and Book 4 (Murder Well-Done).

What to Know Before You Start

The series is set in the fictional historic town of Hemlock Falls in upstate New York. The two main protagonists, Sarah “Quill” Quilliam (the business-minded manager of the local inn) and Meg Quilliam (the fiery gourmet chef), balance their chaotic professional lives with solving bizarre crimes that regularly shake their small town. A hallmark of the series is the culinary theme: each book features delicious menus and mouthwatering descriptions, and Bishop includes actual recipes at the back of the books for readers to try at home.

Spin-offs and Related Mystery Series

While there are no direct spin-offs sharing characters from Hemlock Falls, fans of Claudia Bishop's style can explore her other work:

The Casebooks of Dr. McKenzie

Also written under the Claudia Bishop pseudonym, this cozy mystery series features Austin McKenzie, a veterinarian, and his wife, Madeline, solving crimes in Trumansburg, New York. The series includes:

  • The Case of the Roasted Onion (2006)
  • The Case of the Tough-Talking Turkey (2007)
  • The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat (2008)

Beaufort & Company Mysteries

Writing under her real name, Mary Stanton, the author penned the Beaufort & Company series. Set in Savannah, Georgia, this cozy series adds a fun paranormal twist as the main character handles legal issues involving ghosts and the supernatural. For younger readers, Stanton is also the creator of the popular children's fantasy series The Unicorns of Balinor.

Frequently Asked

QDo you need to read the Hemlock Falls Mysteries in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in order of publication. While each book features a standalone mystery, the personal lives of sisters Sarah and Meg Quilliam, the state of their inn, and character relationships develop continuously from book to book.

QWho is the author of the Hemlock Falls Mysteries?

The series is written by Claudia Bishop, which is a pseudonym used by the American mystery and fantasy author Mary Stanton.

QIs A Plateful of Murder a new book in the series?

No. A Plateful of Murder (2009) is an omnibus collection containing the first two novels in the series, A Taste for Murder and A Dash of Death. It is not a standalone 19th novel.

QAre there recipes included in the Hemlock Falls books?

Yes, the series is a culinary cozy mystery, and each volume contains actual recipes for the dishes and gourmet meals prepared by chef Meg Quilliam in the story.

QWhat other series did Claudia Bishop write?

Under the Claudia Bishop pen name, the author wrote The Casebooks of Dr. McKenzie, a three-book cozy mystery series about a crime-solving veterinarian. Under her real name, Mary Stanton, she wrote the paranormal cozy series Beaufort & Company.

QWhat is the name of the final book in the Hemlock Falls series?

The 18th and final novel in the series is A Fete Worse Than Death, which was published in 2013.