The Recommended Reading Order for Pawsitively Organic Mysteries
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series in its official publication order. Because the books follow the personal growth of protagonist Kristan 'Stan' Connor, the evolution of her business (Pawsitively Organic Pet Food), and her ongoing relationships, reading them chronologically ensures you do not spoil key character milestones or romantic subplots. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly, beginning with the Agatha Award-nominated debut novel in 2013 and concluding with the seventh installment in 2019.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Kneading to Die (2013)
- A Biscuit, a Casket (2014)
- The Icing on the Corpse (2015)
- Murder Most Finicky (2015)
- Custom Baked Murder (2016)
- Purring Around the Christmas Tree (2017)
- Murder, She Meowed (2019)
Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Kneading to Die (2013)
In this debut novel, we meet Kristan 'Stan' Connor, a former public relations executive from Boston who has suffered from severe corporate burnout. Seeking a fresh start, she relocates to the picturesque town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut. When she begins baking healthy, organic treats for her Maine Coon cat, Nutty, she realizes she might have a viable new business venture. However, tragedy strikes when the local veterinarian is found murdered, and Stan is quickly pinned as the primary suspect. To clear her name, she must team up with local allies and hunt down the real killer while launching her new brand.
2. A Biscuit, a Casket (2014)
With her organic pet treat business starting to pick up steam, Stan is hired to cater a high-profile doggie costume party at a local dairy farm. What should be a lighthearted, festive event turns dark when she discovers the body of a local farmer hidden inside a corn maze. As small-town secrets begin to unravel, Stan is drawn back into the world of amateur sleuthing to find the culprit before her business's reputation is ruined.
3. The Icing on the Corpse (2015)
Winter arrives in Frog Ledge, and the town is busy celebrating its annual Groundhog Day festivities. Stan is busy baking winter treats, but she finds herself distracted when a cold-case murder from the past begins to resurface. Between local town gossip, a potential ghost haunting a historic home, and a very real, modern-day threat, Stan must sort through historical town mysteries to prevent another murder from occurring in the present.
4. Murder Most Finicky (2015)
Looking to expand her culinary horizons, Stan travels to Newport, Rhode Island, for a gourmet getaway. The trip is intended to be a relaxing break from the routine of Frog Ledge, but the peace is shattered when a famous local chef is found dead. Plunged into the competitive and cutthroat world of high-end cuisine, Stan has to apply her investigative skills to a brand-new setting to catch a killer who is ready to dish out more violence.
5. Custom Baked Murder (2016)
Back in Connecticut, Stan receives a massive opportunity when she is asked to bake custom pet treats for a major local event. The stakes are incredibly high for Pawsitively Organic Pet Food, but the pressure reaches a boiling point when a prominent resident is found dead. As Stan digs deeper into the victim's life, she discovers a tangled web of greed and jealousy that points directly to some of the town's most respected citizens.
6. Purring Around the Christmas Tree (2017)
The holiday season in New England brings snow, decorations, and festive cheer, but Frog Ledge's celebrations are cut short when a dead body is found near a decorated Christmas tree. Stan must navigate holiday stress, local family drama, and the cold winter air to solve the mystery before Christmas Day. Her trusty feline sidekick, Nutty, plays a crucial role in keeping her grounded as she tracks down a holiday killer.
7. Murder, She Meowed (2019)
The seventh installment in the series finds Stan deeply embedded in her community, but old grudges and new rivalries continue to stir up trouble. When another murder occurs, Stan has to rely on her years of experience, her sharp PR instincts, and her supportive circle of friends to crack her most challenging case yet. This novel serves as the final book in the main series run, wrapping up key storylines for Stan and her business.
What to Know Before You Start
If you are planning to dive into the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series, here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your enjoyment:
- Recipes Included: One of the signature features of Liz Mugavero's series is the inclusion of actual recipes. At the back of the books, you will find instructions for baking healthy, organic treats for your own cats and dogs. These recipes mirror the ones Stan creates in the stories.
- Standalone vs. Continuity: While each mystery is fully resolved by the end of each book, the overarching subplots—such as Stan's personal growth, her business expansion, and her romantic life—develop sequentially. If you skip around, you will miss out on the rich character progression.
- Fictional Setting: The town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, is fictional, but it is heavily inspired by real-world coastal and rural New England towns. The cozy atmosphere, complete with historic Victorian homes and tight-knit community dynamics, is a major highlight of the series.
Author Pen Names and Companion Reading
Liz Mugavero is a lifelong animal lover, and her passion for pets shines through all of her work. For readers who finish the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series and want more stories with a similar tone, it is worth looking into the author's alternative pen name, Cate Conte. Under this pseudonym, she has written the Cat Café Mysteries (beginning with Cat About Town) and the Full Moon Mysteries (beginning with Witch Hunt). These series feature similar cozy mystery themes, strong independent female leads, and a heavy focus on animals and charming New England backdrops.