How to Read the Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries
If you are looking for a laugh-out-loud mystery series with cozy vibes, quirky family dynamics, and a hint of romance, Gina LaManna's Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries is a perfect fit. The series follows Lacey Luzzi, an ordinary woman who discovers her grandfather is actually the head of a major Italian mafia family in the Twin Cities. Quickly roped into the family business, Lacey has to navigate ridiculous mob assignments, family drama, and murder mysteries, all while trying to stay alive and keep her sanity.
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the chronological order of the books. Although the prequel novella, Scooped, was published after the first novel, reading it first gives you the perfect introduction to Lacey's world before the main series kicks off.
Lacey Luzzi Books in Chronological Reading Order
Here is the recommended reading path for the series, placing the prequel novella at the very beginning:
- Book 0.5: Scooped (2015) – A prequel novella that sets the stage and introduces Lacey Luzzi and her chaotic family before she officially joins the family business.
- Book 1: Sprinkled (2014) – Lacey is tasked with finding $15 million in missing mob money while dodging rival Russian gangsters and dealing with rock-hard cookies.
- Book 2: Sparkled (2015) – A wedding turns deadly, forcing Lacey to investigate a murder while being assigned a handsome new bodyguard named Anthony.
- Book 3: Salted (2015) – Lacey tries to manage a high-stakes situation when family secrets and cozy mysteries clash once again.
- Book 4: Sauced (2015) – The Luzzi family gets caught up in holiday chaos and a bomb threat involving plenty of barbecue sauce.
- Book 5: S'mored (2015) – A camping trip turns into a comedic survival mission when crime follows the Luzzis into the great outdoors.
- Book 6: Spooked (2015) – Halloween brings spooky vibes, costume mishaps, and a fresh mystery for Lacey to solve.
- Book 7: Seasoned (2015) – Christmas celebrations are interrupted by mob politics and a festive murder investigation.
- Book 8: Spiced (2016) – Cozy fall vibes cannot stop the Luzzi family drama from heating up in this eighth installment.
- Book 9: Suckered (2016) – Lacey and her eccentric family travel to Milan, Italy, where they cross paths with a mysterious criminal syndicate known as the Violet Society.
- Book 10: Sugared (2017) – Back in the Twin Cities, Lacey faces sweet temptations and a dangerous new threat.
- Book 11: Sprouted (2018) – Spring brings fresh drama and new mysteries to Lacey's doorstep in St. Paul.
- Book 12: Shaved (2018) – The Luzzi clan heads to Hawaii for a destination wedding filled with coconut bras, explosions, and tropical trouble.
- Book 13: Sliced (2020) – The grand finale of the series. Lacey investigates a murder at a major Thanksgiving bake-off event in St. Paul, wrapping up her long journey with the family.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For most of the series, the publication order matches the chronological order perfectly. The only exception is the prequel novella, Scooped. While it takes place before the events of Sprinkled, it was published in 2015, after the first two main novels had already been released. If you prefer to watch the author's style develop, you can read Scooped third. However, reading it first is the smoothest way to understand the characters' initial setups.
The Shared Gina LaManna Universe and Crossovers
Fans of Gina LaManna's work will find several fun connections between her different series. Lacey Luzzi exists in the same literary universe as some of LaManna's other protagonists:
- The Detective Kate Rosetti Mysteries: Lacey Luzzi and her crew make a special crossover appearance in the Kate Rosetti book Time Is Money (published in 2017).
- The Lola Pink Mysteries: There are minor character crossovers and Easter eggs referencing Lola Pink scattered throughout the later Lacey Luzzi books.
While you do not need to read these other series to enjoy Lacey's adventures, checking them out adds extra flavor and context to the wider universe LaManna has built.
What to Know Before You Start
This is a humorous cozy mystery series, meaning it leans heavily into comedy, family antics, and light romance rather than graphic violence or grit. Even though the mafia is a core theme, the Luzzis function more like an incredibly eccentric, dysfunctional family business than a terrifying criminal syndicate. If you enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich or the cozy mystery style of cozy culinary series, you will feel right at home with Lacey's snack-obsessed, clumsy, yet incredibly resilient approach to solving crimes.