Step aboard the sun-soaked decks of the Hetta Coffey series, where a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht sails into mystery, adventure, and a whole lot of trouble! Jinx Schwartz’s award-winning mystery novels follow Hetta Coffey, a globe-trotting civil engineer whose sharp wit and fearless spirit turn every job into a wild ride. From the shimmering Sea of Cortez to the canals of France, Hetta’s escapades blend humor, intrigue, and a dash of romance, making her a heroine you can’t help but root for.
With her knack for stumbling into shady projects and her unapologetic love for champagne and fish tacos, Hetta proves that life begins at forty—especially when you’re steering your own yacht through a sea of chaos. Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or just craving a fun escape, Hetta’s world is your ticket to adventure.
How Hetta Coffey Began
A ninth-generation Texan, Jinx Schwartz drew inspiration from her own life on the water to create Hetta Coffey. Having lived on boats in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez for nearly three decades, Schwartz infused her heroine with her own bold spirit and love for the sea. The series kicked off in 2004 with Just Add Water, born from Schwartz’s whimsical decision to buy a yacht despite zero sailing experience—a choice Hetta mirrors with her own leap into nautical life. Schwartz’s global travels as an engineer also shaped Hetta’s career, making her a relatable yet larger-than-life character who tackles challenges with grit and humor.
The Heart of Hetta Coffey
The Hetta Coffey series spans 15 books, each plunging readers into a new adventure. Just Add Water, the opener, introduces Hetta as a single, forty-ish engineer who buys a yacht to reinvent her love life, only to find herself dodging stalkers and dead bodies. In Just Add Salt, Hetta sails to Mexico for a shady engineering gig, battling hurricanes and corrupt officials alongside her best friend, Jan. Just the Pits sees her uncovering fraud in a Baja mining project, while Just for the Birds tackles exotic animal smuggling with her dog, Po Thang, and parrot, Trouble, in tow.
The series thrives on its vibrant settings, from the turquoise waters of Baja to the chic canals of France, each painted with Schwartz’s vivid prose. Themes of independence, friendship, and vigilante justice run deep, as Hetta and her quirky crew take on cartels, smugglers, and dogfighting rings. Schwartz’s humor—think Mae West meets Sam Spade—keeps the tone light, even as the stakes soar. Readers love Hetta’s brassy voice, her loyalty to friends, and her knack for turning chaos into triumph.
Why Hetta Coffey Resonates
Hetta Coffey has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, winning fans with her unapologetic attitude and knack for righting wrongs. The series’ blend of humor, adventure, and exotic locales offers a perfect escape, while Hetta’s flaws—her shaky detective skills and penchant for trouble—make her relatable. Awards like the National EPPIE for Best Mystery for Just Add Water and a loyal fanbase on platforms like Goodreads underscore its appeal. For readers craving strong female leads and a taste of the nautical life, Hetta’s adventures are a breath of fresh sea air.
- First Book: Just Add Water (2004)
- Number of Books: 15
- Awards: National EPPIE Award for Best Mystery (Just Add Water)
- Key Settings: Sea of Cortez, Baja, France
Ready to sail into a world of mystery and mischief? Grab Just Add Water and join Hetta Coffey on a thrilling ride that’s equal parts laughter and danger!