How to Read the Odelia Grey Series
Sue Ann Jaffarian’s Odelia Grey series is a landmark in the cozy mystery genre. Featuring a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal sleuth who navigates life, love, and family drama alongside complex murder cases, the series is best enjoyed in publication order. Because the books follow Odelia’s personal growth, her evolving relationship with her husband Greg, and changes in her career, reading them in sequence ensures you do not spoil major character milestones.
Odelia Grey Books in Publication Order
The main series consists of twelve novels published between 2001 and 2017. Here is the complete list of Odelia Grey books in order of their release:
- Too Big to Miss (2001) — The debut novel introduces Odelia Grey, a paralegal working in Southern California. When her close friend Sophie London, a plus-sized activist, apparently commits suicide, Odelia suspects foul play and uncovers secrets involving high-society scandals and adult webcam sites.
- The Curse of the Holy Pail (2003) — Odelia is drawn into a bizarre case when a wealthy corporate tycoon is poisoned. The central clue is a cursed antique metal lunchbox known as the "Holy Pail," leading Odelia into a dangerous and eccentric scavenger hunt.
- Thugs and Kisses (2008) — Odelia tries to rescue a friend who has become entangled in the risky world of online dating. When a date leads to a brutal murder, Odelia must navigate digital trails and personal deception to find the killer.
- Booby Trap (2009) — Now newly married, Odelia gets caught up in the search for the "Blond Bomber," a serial killer targeting blond bombshells in Southern California. She investigates a prominent plastic surgeon at the request of his terrified mother.
- Corpse on the Cob (2010) — A cross-country trip to Massachusetts for a family reunion turns deadly when Odelia finds a body hidden inside a corn maze. The case forces Odelia to confront family secrets and her eccentric, estranged mother, Grace.
- Twice As Dead (2011) — Odelia attends a wedding only to discover the wedding planner, Shirley Pearson, dead in a coat closet. The investigation takes a turn when police reveal the victim was actually a man living under a false identity.
- Hide & Snoop (2012) — Workplace changes leave Odelia with an icy new boss, Erica Mayfield. When Erica vanishes after dumping her young niece on Odelia, Odelia investigates and uncovers a shocking black-market baby ring.
- Secondhand Stiff (2013) — Odelia helps her husband's cousin Ina bid on abandoned storage units. When they discover the body of Ina's estranged husband inside one of the units, Odelia must clear Ina's name.
- Hell on Wheels (2014) — Set within the wheelchair rugby community, Odelia investigates a murder at a sporting match to protect a close friend of her paraplegic husband, Greg.
- A Body to Spare (2015) — A routine day of errands takes a dark turn when the naked body of a long-missing kidnap victim is left in Odelia's car trunk with a note reading "Found Me!". Odelia and Greg must find the real killer while avoiding a hostile FBI agent.
- Rhythm & Clues (2016) — Odelia's mother, Grace, suspects foul play when Boaz Shankleman disappears from her retirement home. Boaz is revealed to be the former lead singer of Odelia's favorite college-era rock band, leading Odelia into a world of aging musicians.
- Too Big to Die (2017) — In the final series entry, Odelia and Greg become viral sensations after rescuing a dog from a locked car. When the man who helped them is murdered, they are drawn into a web of high-stakes criminal conspiracy.
The Holiday Short Stories
In addition to the twelve main novels, Sue Ann Jaffarian released a digital holiday-themed collection in 2014 titled Ho Ho Humbug: Two Odelia Grey Holiday Short Stories. This collection contains two cozy mysteries:
- "Ho Ho Homicide" — Odelia is dragged to a shopping mall by her stepmother for Christmas shopping, only for the mall Santa to die right next to her.
- "Ho Ho Hell" — Set years later at the same mall, this story follows Odelia as a simple gift pickup descends into a comedic parking space feud and mystery.
These stories can be read at any point after Odelia and Greg's marriage is established (around Book 4, Booby Trap), but they are not critical to understanding the main storyline.
What to Know Before You Start
Sue Ann Jaffarian drew heavily from her own background as a paralegal and a plus-sized woman to create Odelia Grey. Odelia is a refreshing protagonist: she is middle-aged, proudly embraces her curves, and faces everyday issues like menopause, family dysfunction, and career changes. Her husband, Greg, is a paraplegic who is active in wheelchair sports, bringing an authentic and positive portrayal of disability and adaptive sports to the cozy mystery genre. While the stories maintain the light, humorous tone of traditional cozies, they also touch on real-world issues such as fat-shaming, aging, and disability rights with empathy and wit.