The Recommended Reading Order for Memphis BBQ Mysteries
If you want to experience the full flavor of Aunt Pat's Barbeque and follow the lives of the local characters, it is highly recommended to read this series in its original publication order. Because the narrative progresses chronologically, reading the books as they were released allows you to watch relationships develop, witness the growth of Lulu's business, and enjoy the recurring cast of characters without spoilers.
- Delicious and Suspicious (2010)
- Finger Lickin' Dead (2011)
- Hickory Smoked Homicide (2011)
- Rubbed Out (2013)
The Perfect Starting Point
The best place to begin your culinary mystery journey is with the series debut, Delicious and Suspicious. This first book establishes the core setting of Memphis, Tennessee, introduces Lulu Taylor, and sets the stage for her role as an amateur sleuth. You will get to know the staff and atmosphere of Aunt Pat's Barbeque, understand Lulu's relationship with her family and friends, and get your first taste of the real Southern recipes included at the end of the text.
Memphis BBQ Mysteries: Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Delicious and Suspicious (2010)
The series kicks off with a high-stakes culinary mystery. When Rebecca Adrian, a food scout for a famous cooking channel, arrives in Memphis to scout out the city's best barbecue joints, local rivalry reaches a boiling point. Unfortunately, Rebecca is found dead, and because she was evaluating Aunt Pat's Barbeque, Lulu Taylor's restaurant becomes the prime suspect. To protect her family's legacy and save her business, Lulu must step out from behind the grill and find the real killer before her reputation is permanently ruined.
2. Finger Lickin' Dead (2011)
Tension heats up in the second installment when an anonymous, brutal food critic writing under the name "Eppie Currian" starts tearing apart Memphis's beloved restaurants, including Aunt Pat's. The local culinary community is shocked when the critic's true identity is revealed to be the unfaithful boyfriend of Lulu's close friend, Evelyn. When "Eppie" is found murdered shortly after his identity is exposed, almost every restaurant owner in town becomes a suspect. Lulu has to sift through a long list of disgruntled chefs and business owners to clear her friend's name.
3. Hickory Smoked Homicide (2011)
In the third book, Lulu finds herself caught in the drama of a local charity event. She crosses paths with Tristan Pembroke, a notoriously snobbish and mean-spirited pageant coach who has a talent for making enemies. When Lulu stumbles upon Tristan's lifeless body stuffed in a closet, the police focus their attention on her, noting that she has an uncanny habit of showing up wherever dead bodies appear. With the law looking over her shoulder, Lulu must work fast to smoke out the real culprit.
4. Rubbed Out (2013)
The final book in the series brings Lulu to the famous Rock and Ribs barbecue festival, a massive event where pit masters from all over compete for glory. The competition turns deadly when Reuben Shaw, an arrogant and widely disliked pit master who was arguing with Lulu's best friend Cherry, turns up dead. With Cherry pinned as the chief suspect, Lulu must dive into the competitive and cutthroat world of professional barbecue to find the actual killer and ensure her friend doesn't take the fall.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated timelines, prequels, or companion novellas to navigate in this series. The chronological order of events matches the publication order exactly. The books span from 2010 to 2013 and follow a straightforward timeline. While each book features a standalone mystery that is fully resolved by the final chapter, reading them out of order will reveal minor details about character relationships and past events that are best experienced sequentially.
Behind the Pen Name: Who is Riley Adams?
Cozy mystery fans might be surprised to learn that "Riley Adams" is a pen name used by the prolific author Elizabeth Spann Craig. Already known for her bestselling Myrtle Clover Mysteries and Southern Quilting Mysteries, Craig adopted the pseudonym Riley Adams at the request of her publisher, Penguin/Berkley. The name was chosen using family names, with the publisher specifically selecting "Adams" so that the books would sit at the top of bookstore shelves alphabetically, maximizing visibility. While Craig has focused primarily on her other series in recent years, the Memphis BBQ Mysteries remain a beloved highlight of her bibliography.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone, Recipes, and Setting
Before you dive in, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the series:
- Authentic Southern Recipes: One of the most popular features of these books is the inclusion of real recipes at the back of each volume. Readers can try cooking dishes inspired by Aunt Pat's Barbeque, including signature rubs, barbecue sauces, and classic Southern side dishes.
- The Cozy Mystery Formula: The series features a lighthearted tone, quirky townspeople, a strong sense of community, and no graphic violence or explicit content. It is a perfect choice for fans of clean, comforting reads.
- A Love Letter to Memphis: The setting is a character in its own right. You will experience local landmarks, the Mississippi River, the music of Beale Street, and the intense passion that Memphis residents have for their regional cuisine.