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Jazzi Zanders Mystery Books in Order

10 Books
2018 – 2024 Published
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How to Read the Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series

The Jazzi Zanders Mystery series, written by Judi Lynn (a pen name for author Judith Post), is best read in publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the end of the novel, the overarching character arcs, family dynamics, and romantic relationships progress sequentially. Reading the books out of order will spoil major developments in Jazzi's personal life, her home renovation business, and her evolving relationship with Ansel.

The Recommended Starting Point

You should start your journey with the first book, The Body in the Attic (2018). This book establishes Jazzi's business partnership with her cousin Jerod, her deep roots in the fictional town of River Bluffs, Indiana, and her initial meeting with Ansel, the handsome contractor who becomes her partner in both flipping houses and solving crimes. It also sets the cozy, food-centric tone of the series, where major breakthroughs in their investigations are often discussed over home-cooked meals.

Jazzi Zanders Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete list of Jazzi Zanders Mystery novels in order of their release. This matches the chronological order of the events in the series:

  1. The Body in the Attic (2018) – Jazzi and Jerod buy their first flip house and discover a skeleton in an old trunk in the attic, which turns out to belong to Jazzi's long-lost aunt.
  2. The Body in the Wetlands (2019) – While helping her sister Olivia look at a property, Jazzi stumbles upon two bodies in the local wetlands.
  3. The Body in the Gravel (2019) – A concrete worker's body is discovered in a freshly poured driveway, leading Jazzi into a web of construction site secrets.
  4. The Body in the Apartment (2020) – When Jazzi and Jerod look into purchasing an apartment building, they find the landlord murdered on-site.
  5. The Body from the Past (2020) – A body discovered during a historic home renovation dredges up decade-old secrets from River Bluffs' past.
  6. The Body in the Beauty Parlor (2021) – Jazzi's sister Olivia becomes the prime suspect after a popular local hairstylist is found dead.
  7. The Body in the Trench (2021) – A worker discovers a corpse buried in a utility trench at one of Jazzi and Jerod's renovation sites.
  8. The Body in the Buick (2021) – A vintage Buick left on a property contains a gruesome surprise in the trunk.
  9. The Body in the Wheelbarrow (2022) – A dead body hidden under renovation debris and tools throws a wrench into Jazzi's project.
  10. The Body in Someone Else's Bed (2023) – Jazzi walks into a house they are staging for sale only to find an uninvited, deceased guest in the master bed.
  11. The Body in the Kitchen (2024) – A renovation project takes a deadly turn when a body is discovered in the half-finished kitchen.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Judi Lynn's cozy Indiana world, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The HGTV Element: If you enjoy home renovation shows, you will love the detailed descriptions of remodeling old homes. Lynn incorporates realistic details of drywalling, tiling, landscaping, and staging.
  • A Culinary Focus: Jazzi loves to cook, and food plays a central role in bringing the family together. Be prepared for plenty of mouth-watering descriptions of comforting Midwestern meals.
  • The Romance and Family Dynamics: Jazzi's relationship with Ansel develops slowly and sweetly over the course of the series. Additionally, her cousin Jerod, her sister Olivia, and her extended family are key players who grow and change, making the series feel like a visit to old friends.
  • Small-Town Indiana Charm: The fictional town of River Bluffs, Indiana, captures the essence of tight-knit Midwestern communities. While the town seems quiet, the secrets running underneath provide plenty of fuel for mysteries.
  • The Author’s Identity: Judi Lynn is a pseudonym for the late Judith Post, who was also known for her romance novels and fantasy work written under her real name. Her background in romance writing shines through in the warm relationships that anchor the mystery plots.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best way to read the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series?

You should read the series in publication order. While each mystery is a standalone story, Jazzi's relationship with Ansel and the lives of her family members progress continuously across the books.

QWhat is the first book in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series?

The first book is The Body in the Attic, published in 2018.

QWho writes the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series?

The series is written by Judi Lynn, which is a pen name for the late author Judith Post.

QHow many Jazzi Zanders books are there?

As of 2024, there are 11 books in the series, ending with The Body in the Kitchen.

QAre there any spin-offs or crossovers in this series?

No, there are no spin-offs or shared-universe crossovers. Judi Lynn's other series, such as the Mill Pond romances or the Karnie Cleaver mysteries, are entirely separate.

QWhere does the series take place?

The series is set in the fictional town of River Bluffs, Indiana.