How to Read the Liz Talbot Mystery Series in Order
For the best experience, the Liz Talbot Mystery series should be read in order of publication. Because Susan M. Boyer builds the characters' relationships, personal lives, and the overarching mystery surrounding Liz's resident ghost, Colleen, in real-time, jumping in mid-series will spoil major character developments. Below is the recommended reading order for the mainline series:
- Lowcountry Boil (2012): The award-winning debut that introduces Liz Talbot, her partner Nate Andrews, her golden retriever Rhett, and her late best friend turned protective ghost, Colleen. Liz returns to her hometown of Stella Maris to solve her grandmother's murder.
- Lowcountry Bombshell (2013): Liz is hired by a Marilyn Monroe lookalike who is convinced someone is trying to kill her. The investigation plunges Liz deep into the quirky, sometimes dangerous underbelly of the local entertainment scene.
- Lowcountry Boneyard (2014): Hired to find a missing girl from a wealthy Charleston family, Liz must navigate the historic city's high society, ancient family secrets, and the dark marshes surrounding it.
- Lowcountry Bordello (2015): A historic Charleston home with a colorful past becomes the center of a murder investigation. Liz must sift through centuries-old family feuds and modern greed.
- Lowcountry Book Club (2016): Liz finds herself investigating the suspicious death of a local book club member. The case gets complicated as secrets within the tight-knit club begin to surface.
- Lowcountry Bonfire (2017): When a local veterinarian is found murdered, Liz is called in to investigate. The case takes a fiery turn as Liz discovers the victim had plenty of enemies.
- Lowcountry Bookshop (2018): Liz is hired to investigate a series of strange occurrences and a murder centered around a local independent bookstore in the heart of Charleston.
- Lowcountry Boomerang (2019): A cold case comes back to haunt Stella Maris when a man previously acquitted of murder returns to town and is promptly found dead. Liz is tasked with solving both the old and new crimes.
- Lowcountry Boondoggle (2020): Liz and Nate tackle a case involving a wealthy developer and local opposition that turns deadly. The investigation tests their partnership and their safety.
- Lowcountry Boughs of Holly (2020): The series' festive holiday mystery. Liz Talbot is looking forward to a quiet Southern Christmas, but a murder at a local tree lot forces her back to work.
- Postcards From Stella Maris (2022): Officially designated as Book 10.5, this is a companion collection of short stories and vignettes detailing the lives of Liz, Nate, and the eccentric residents of Stella Maris.
- Lowcountry Getaway (2022): Liz and Nate attempt to take a much-needed vacation, but trouble follows them, leading to a high-stakes mystery that threatens their peace and safety.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Fortunately for readers, the chronological story timeline matches the publication order of the books exactly. The only exception is the short story collection, Postcards From Stella Maris, which functions as a series of companion vignettes. While it was published in 2022, the stories within it span various points in the series' timeline. However, it is best read between Lowcountry Boughs of Holly and Lowcountry Getaway to avoid early spoilers regarding Liz and Nate’s relationship milestones.
The Carolina Tales Spin-off Connection
In 2023, Susan M. Boyer launched a brand-new spin-off series called Carolina Tales (also known as the Sullivan's Island Supper Club series). While these books feature a new protagonist, Hadley Cooper, they are set in the same South Carolina Lowcountry universe and feature frequent crossovers. Liz Talbot, her husband Nate Andrews, and other members of the Talbot family make regular guest appearances. Readers who finish the mainline Liz Talbot books should transition directly into this spin-off series to keep up with the characters. The current order for the spin-off is:
- Big Trouble on Sullivan's Island (2023): Introduces Hadley Cooper as she gets wrapped up in a local mystery on Sullivan's Island.
- Beginnings – The Sullivan's Island Supper Club (Book 1.5): A companion novella detailing the origin of the Supper Club.
- The Sullivan's Island Supper Club (2024): Hadley's next major case involving the members of her local dining group.
- Trouble's Turn to Lose (2026): The latest installment featuring a major Easter feast hosted by Liz Talbot's mother (Mamma), solidifying the crossover connection.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Liz Talbot’s world, readers should know that the series occupies a unique space in the cozy mystery genre. While it features classic cozy elements—such as a tight-knit Southern community, mouthwatering descriptions of Southern food, and a lovable golden retriever—it also features elements of hard-boiled private investigator fiction. Liz uses actual P.I. investigative techniques, carries a Sig 9, and deals with realistic criminal elements. The supernatural element of Liz's ghost friend, Colleen, is treated with a light, humorous touch, serving as a sounding board and a protector rather than a gothic horror element.