Books On Board

Papa Pacelli’s Pizzeria Books in Order

  • 49 Books
  • 2016 – 2017 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start with Papa Pacelli’s Pizzeria

For the best reading experience, you should start at the very beginning of the series with Pall Bearers and Pepperoni. While each installment presents a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the overarching personal journey of the protagonist, Eleanora "Ellie" Pacelli, is highly serialized. Ellie starts the series rebuilding her life after major personal and professional setbacks, slowly restoring her grandfather's pizzeria, repairing family bonds, and developing a romance with the local sheriff, Russell Ward. Reading the books out of order will spoil these long-term relationship milestones, character developments, and town changes.

Publication Order of Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria Books

Patti Benning is an incredibly prolific author, launching this culinary cozy mystery series in 2016 and publishing dozens of books in a short span. The chronological timeline of events in Kittiport matches the publication order exactly. Here is the complete list of the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series in order:

  1. Pall Bearers and Pepperoni (2016)
  2. Bacon Cheddar Murder (2016)
  3. Very Veggie Murder (2016)
  4. Italian Wedding Murder (2016)
  5. Smoked Gouda Murder (2016)
  6. Gourmet Holiday Murder (2016)
  7. Four Cheese Murder (2017)
  8. Hand Tossed Murder (2017)
  9. Exotic Pizza Murder (2017)
  10. Fiesta Pizza Murder (2017)
  11. Garlic Artichoke Murder (2017)
  12. On the Wings of Murder (2017)
  13. Mozzarella and Murder (2017)
  14. A Thin Crust of Murder (2017)
  15. Pretzel Pizza Murder (2017)
  16. Parmesan Pizza Murder (2017)
  17. Breakfast Pizza Murder (2017)
  18. Halloween Pizza Murder (2017)
  19. Thanksgiving Pizza Murder (2017)
  20. Christmas Pizza Murder (2017)
  21. A Crispy Slice of Murder (2018)
  22. Lobster Pizza Murder (2018)
  23. Pizza, Weddings, and Murder (2018)
  24. Pizza, Paradise, and Murder (2018)
  25. Meat Lovers and Murder (2018)
  26. Classic Crust Murder (2018)
  27. Hot, Spicy Murder (2018)
  28. Pork, Pizza and Murder (2018)
  29. Chicken Alfredo Murder (2018)
  30. Jalapeno Pizza Murder (2019)
  31. Pesto Pizza Murder (2019)
  32. Sweet Chili Murder (2019)
  33. A Melted Morsel of Murder (2019)
  34. A Saucy Taste of Murder (2019)
  35. A Crunchy Crust of Murder (2019)
  36. Shrimply Sublime Murder (2019)
  37. Boldly Basil Murder (2019)
  38. Spooky Pizza Murder (2019)
  39. A Jingle of Murder (2019)
  40. Zesty Marinara Murder (2020)
  41. Oregano Meatball Murder (2020)
  42. Rosemary Lamb Murder (2020)
  43. A Fishy Little Murder (2020)
  44. A Fruity Little Murder (2020)
  45. Garlic Calzone Murder (2020)
  46. A Dash of Sage Murder (2020)
  47. Savory Sourdough Murder (2020)
  48. Peppercorn Parmesan Murder (2020)
  49. A Merry Slice of Murder (2022)

What to Know Before You Start

The Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series belongs firmly to the culinary cozy mystery genre. The stories are designed to be light, clean, and comforting, featuring minimal graphic violence, no explicit content, and plenty of focus on food. The setting of Kittiport, Maine, serves as a classic coastal cozy backdrop, featuring dense pine woods, a local marina, and distinct seasonal shifts—from snowy New England winters to crisp autumns—which frequently dictate the themes of the books (such as holiday-themed pizzas and seasonal crimes).

A recurring hallmark of the series is the incorporation of detailed pizza descriptions. Ellie's experiments with different doughs, specialty toppings, and sauce blends are described with sensory detail, and many readers note that the books are best enjoyed alongside a slice of pizza. Additionally, animal companions play a key role in the stories. Ellie's pets, including her beloved dog Bunny and Marlowe the macaw, are fan favorites who bring humor and warmth to her daily life at the shop.

Chronological Continuity and Key Story Arcs

Although the mysteries themselves are wrapped up in each individual book, the overarching subplots develop significantly across the run. The most prominent arc is the romance between Ellie and the local sheriff, Russell Ward. What begins as professional tension and mutual suspicion develops over the course of many books into a deep relationship, eventually leading to their marriage and family life. Supporting characters, including Ellie's grandmother, cousins, and the employees at the pizzeria, also experience life-altering events, career changes, and personal dramas. Reading the books chronologically allows you to watch these relationships naturally mature and experience the progression of the Kittiport community as a whole.

Frequently Asked

Can the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria books be read out of order?

While the murder mysteries in each book are resolved by the end, it is highly recommended to read the series in order. The main character, Eleanora Pacelli, undergoes significant personal growth, and her relationship and eventual marriage to Sheriff Russell Ward progress steadily across the books.

Who is the main protagonist in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series?

The main protagonist is Eleanora "Ellie" Pacelli (later Eleanora Ward), a resilient young woman who returns to the coastal town of Kittiport, Maine, to revive her grandfather's family pizzeria while solving local crimes.

Does the series contain recipes or food themes?

Yes, the series heavily features culinary themes. Each book highlights unique pizza recipes, crust experiments, and specialty ingredients cooked at the pizzeria, though formal standalone recipe cards are not always included in the back of the books.

Are there any pets in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series?

Yes, Ellie has popular pet companions who appear regularly, including a dog named Bunny and a colorful macaw named Marlowe.

How many books are in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series?

As of the latest releases, the series contains 49 books, beginning with Pall Bearers and Pepperoni in 2016 and including the special entry A Merry Slice of Murder in 2022.

Who publishes the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series?

The series is primarily published by Summer Prescott Books Publishing, an independent publisher specializing in cozy mysteries that launched Patti Benning's career.