The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Series at a Glance
If you love cozy mysteries with a dash of the supernatural, a dose of small-town gossip, and a highly opinionated black cat, Kirsten Weiss's Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series is a must-read. Set in the fictional California wine country town of San Benedetto, the series follows the reluctant museum manager and amateur sleuth Madelyn "Maddie" Kosloski. With its skeptic-meets-believer tone and colorful local community, this series serves up the perfect escape for mystery lovers.
Who is Maddie Kosloski?
Maddie Kosloski is not your typical paranormal investigator. After losing her high-powered international corporate job, Maddie returns to San Benedetto with bruised pride and uncertain prospects. Hoping for a quiet transition, she is instead railroaded by her close friend Adele Nakamoto into running the local paranormal museum. Skeptical by nature, Maddie does not believe in the ghosts, curses, or cryptids she is supposed to curate. However, when a dead body appears in the museum, she is forced to start investigating—not only to save the museum's reputation but also to keep herself out of handcuffs.
The Skeptic's Cast of Characters
- Maddie Kosloski: The series protagonist whose sharp wit and logical mind keep the supernatural claims grounded.
- GD (Ghost Detector): Maddie's feline companion. A black cat known for his aloof personality and his habit of staring at blank walls, GD is named for his supposed ghost-detecting abilities.
- Adele Nakamoto: Maddie's energetic best friend, a vineyard heiress and the daughter of the local mayor, who is instrumental in Maddie's museum career.
- Harper Caldarelli: Maddie's reliable friend who works as a financial advisor, providing a voice of reason.
- Laurel Hammer: Maddie's former high school bully who is now a local police detective. Laurel frequently tries to shut down Maddie's amateur sleuthing.
- Mason: The hunky, motorcycle-riding neighbor and love interest who adds a touch of romantic tension to Maddie's busy life.
Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Books in Publication Order
The series is best enjoyed in order of publication. Kirsten Weiss builds the character relationships, Maddie's growing tolerance for the weird, and the town's seasonal events sequentially. Below is the complete list of books in the series:
- The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum (2016) – The book that starts it all. Maddie returns to San Benedetto and takes over the museum, only to find a corpse on the premises and find herself accused of murder.
- Pressed to Death (2017) – Set during the local Harvest Festival, Maddie must investigate a murder linked to a haunted grape press and San Benedetto's wine-making history.
- Déjà Moo (2018) – A festive, holiday-themed mystery. When a local Christmas tradition involving a festive "Christmas Cow" goes awry, Maddie has to track down a killer archer.
- Chocolate à la Murder (2019) – Maddie dips her toes into the world of high-end artisan chocolate when a competitor is killed, leading her into a sugary web of deceit.
- Damsel in a Dress (2021) – Maddie deals with a mystery involving a haunted wedding dress, putting a damper on local nuptial celebrations.
- Going, Going, Dead (2022) – A charity auction at the museum turns deadly when a bidder is murdered, forcing Maddie to sort through a list of eccentric collectors and local suspects.
- Deadly Divination (2023) – A cozy novella in which Maddie receives a donated Yoruba divination bowl that carries a dark history and pulls her into a cold case.
- Dead End Donation (2023) – A full-length mystery where Maddie inherits a massive paranormal collection, only for a PhD student to end up dead and a valuable artifact to go missing.
- Sins of the Sarcophagus (2023) – Maddie deals with a mummy exhibit that brings ancient curses and very modern murders to San Benedetto.
- The Cannoli Caper (2024) – A delicious cozy mystery featuring Italian pastries, family secrets, and a killer on the loose.
- A Deathly Display (2026) – The eleventh installment finds Maddie organizing a new exhibition that quickly becomes a crime scene.
Should You Read in Chronological Order vs. Publication Order?
Because the chronological order of the stories matches their publication order, readers do not have to worry about complicated timelines or jumping back and forth through history. The only minor exception is the novella Deadly Divination (Book 7), which is shorter than the other entries but fits neatly between Going, Going, Dead and Dead End Donation. To fully appreciate Maddie's personal growth, the evolving romantic tension with Mason, and the shifting dynamics of her friendships, it is highly recommended that you start with the first book, The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, and read the books in order.
How Does the Museum Fit Into Kirsten Weiss's Other Series?
Kirsten Weiss has created multiple popular mystery series, including the Witches of Doyle, the Wits' End mysteries, the Riga Hayworth urban fantasy series, and the Tea and Tarot cozy mysteries. While several of her other series are connected under the "World of Doyle" umbrella—which features crossovers like Unbound—the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum is its own separate, standalone universe. You do not need to read any of Weiss's other series to understand the events in San Benedetto. This makes Maddie's adventures the perfect entry point for readers who want to try the author's work without committing to a massive, interconnected multi-series universe.
Practical Reader Advice
Can the books be read as standalones?
While each book features a self-contained mystery that is fully resolved by the final page, the character development and overarching subplots span the entire series. Reading them out of order might spoil previous plot resolutions or leave you confused about Maddie's relationships. If you must read them as standalones, the mysteries are easy to follow, but starting from the beginning offers a far more satisfying reading experience.
Are the paranormal elements scary?
Not at all. The series falls firmly within the cozy mystery genre. While the museum is filled with oddities like "haunted" grape presses, divination bowls, and cursed mummies, Maddie's skepticism keeps the story grounded. The paranormal elements serve as atmospheric flavor and potential puzzle pieces rather than genuine horror. If you enjoy lighthearted supernatural hints rather than scary ghost stories, this series is custom-made for you.