How to Read the Paradise Valley Mystery Series
If you are diving into the charming, suspenseful world of the Paradise Valley Mystery series by Debra Burroughs, the best way to experience it is by following the chronological story arc. While each book features a standalone mystery that gets resolved by the final page, the underlying relationships—particularly the slow-burn romance between amateur sleuth Emily Parker and handsome police detective Colin Andrews—develop continuously across the books. Reading them out of order will spoil major relationship milestones, character growth, and ongoing town drama.
Author Debra Burroughs has structured the series with primary novels and two strategically placed "bridge" novellas that flesh out details between the major releases. To get the complete picture without missing a beat, we recommend the following chronological reading path.
The Recommended Reading Order
- The Scent of Lies (Book 1)
- The Heart of Lies (Book 2)
- The Edge of Lies (Book 2.5)
- The Chain of Lies (Book 3)
- The Pursuit of Lies (Book 4)
- The Color of Lies (Book 4.5)
- The Betrayal of Lies (Book 5)
- The Harbor of Lies (Book 6)
- The House of Lies (Book 7)
- The Season of Lies (Book 8)
The Complete Publication Order
For readers who prefer to experience the series exactly as it was released to the public, the publication order is nearly identical to the chronological sequence. The only minor deviation involves the bridge stories, which were written and published shortly after their surrounding novels. Below is the list of books in the order they were published:
- The Scent of Lies (2012)
- The Heart of Lies (2012)
- The Chain of Lies (2012)
- The Edge of Lies (2013)
- The Betrayal of Lies (2013)
- The Pursuit of Lies (2013)
- The Color of Lies (2013)
- The Harbor of Lies (2014)
- The House of Lies (2017)
- The Season of Lies (2020)
Chronological vs. Publication Order: What is the Difference?
The main difference between publication order and chronological order lies in how you handle the two short bridge stories: The Edge of Lies and The Color of Lies.
Burroughs published The Edge of Lies in 2013, coming out shortly after the third full-length novel, The Chain of Lies. However, chronologically, the events of The Edge of Lies take place between the second and third books (earning it the Book 2.5 designation). It serves as a transition story that sets up the emotional stakes for the third book.
Similarly, The Color of Lies was published in late 2013, appearing right after The Pursuit of Lies (Book 4) and before The Betrayal of Lies (Book 5). Reading it as Book 4.5 is the perfect way to bridge the gap in Emily's life as she transitions between two major cases.
A Closer Look at the Books
1. The Scent of Lies (Book 1)
We meet Emily Parker, a young widow grieving the unsolved murder of her private investigator husband, Evan. While sorting through his belongings, Emily discovers a mysterious phone number inside a jacket pocket. Determined to find out if her marriage was built on a web of deception, she decides to take over Evan's PI agency. Her first official case involves tailing a client's unfaithful husband, which quickly spirals into a dangerous murder investigation. Along the way, she crosses paths—and clashes—with the ruggedly attractive police detective Colin Andrews.
2. The Heart of Lies (Book 2)
Emily's PI agency is officially open for business, and she's getting the hang of her new career. When her close friend Maggie falls head over heels for a man she met through an online dating site, Emily's instincts tell her something is off. She begins investigating the suitor, only to uncover a complex web of online deception and financial fraud that threatens not just Maggie, but the safety of Paradise Valley itself.
3. The Edge of Lies (Book 2.5)
This quick-paced bridge novella serves as a fun interlude. Emily takes on a seemingly simple investigation that takes a sudden turn into danger. It highlights Emily's growing detective skills and offers readers a closer look at the simmering romantic tension between Emily and Detective Colin Andrews before their relationship takes a serious step forward in the next main book.
4. The Chain of Lies (Book 3)
The mystery of Evan's death returns to the forefront. As Emily digs deeper into her late husband's secret past, she uncovers dark truths he hid from her. Her investigation leads her directly into the path of a dangerous local prostitution ring. Confronting these dark secrets forces Emily to reevaluate her past while fighting to survive a deadly conspiracy.
5. The Pursuit of Lies (Book 4)
In this installment, Emily is hired to find a missing young woman who has vanished without a trace. As she follows a trail of clues that leads from quiet neighborhoods to shady establishments, Emily must use all of her wits to track down the target before time runs out. The case tests her investigative limits and forces her to rely heavily on her network of local allies.
6. The Color of Lies (Book 4.5)
Another crucial bridge short story, The Color of Lies details the immediate aftermath of Emily's previous case and sets the stage for the dramatic events of The Betrayal of Lies. It focuses heavily on the character dynamics and the evolving romance between Emily and Colin.
7. The Betrayal of Lies (Book 5)
Trust is put to the ultimate test in this high-stakes mystery. When a close contact is accused of a crime they didn't commit, Emily throws herself into proving their innocence. The investigation reveals a trail of betrayal, corrupt officials, and hidden agendas that hit far too close to home, forcing Emily to decide who she can truly trust in Paradise Valley.
8. The Harbor of Lies (Book 6)
Wedding bells are finally ringing for Emily and Colin, but peace doesn't last long in Paradise Valley. Just days before their wedding, while staying at a local resort, Emily stumbles upon a dead body right outside her door. With the police force scrambling and her wedding day fast approaching, Emily and Colin must team up to catch the killer before they walk down the aisle.
9. The House of Lies (Book 7)
Now adjusting to married life, Emily is pulled into a dark and tricky case involving a historic local house with a sinister reputation. When a suspicious death occurs on the property, Emily's investigation uncovers decades-old family secrets, greed, and a modern-day killer willing to do anything to keep the past buried.
10. The Season of Lies (Book 8)
Set during the snowy Christmas season in Idaho, this holiday-themed cozy mystery finds Emily trying to enjoy the festive season when a local woman is discovered dead in the snow. Emily must untangle a festive knot of jealousy, hidden wealth, and small-town secrets to catch a holiday killer before Christmas is ruined.
Spin-offs, Co-authored Books, and Boxed Sets
Currently, the Paradise Valley Mystery series is written entirely by Debra Burroughs, with no co-authored books or direct spin-off series. However, fans of Burroughs' writing style can easily transition to her other popular cozy mystery series, the Jenessa Jones Mystery series. While set in a different universe, it shares the same fast-paced, clean romance, and strong female lead energy that makes Paradise Valley so enjoyable.
For readers looking to save, the series has been compiled into several digital bundles. The most popular is the Paradise Valley Mysteries Boxed Set, which compiles the first three books (including the novella The Edge of Lies), making it the perfect budget-friendly entry point for new readers.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
The Paradise Valley Mystery series is widely categorized as a cozy romantic mystery series. This means you can expect clean storytelling—the books do not feature graphic violence, explicit language, or heavy sexual content. Instead, the focus remains firmly on clever puzzle-solving, small-town charm, family relationships, and a sweet, PG-rated romance. If you enjoy a mix of light suspense, relatable heroines, and happy endings, this is the perfect binge-read for you.