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Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery Books in Order

10 Books
2015 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery Series in Order

If you love small-town charm, a dash of ghostly intervention, and the scenic beauty of Tasmania, K.J. Emrick's Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery series is the perfect addition to your reading list. The series follows the adventures of Adelle "Dell" Powers and her chaotic but lovable best friend, Rosie Ryan, as they run a historic inn and stumble upon a surprising number of local secrets.

For the absolute best reading experience, you should follow the publication order. The books develop Dell’s supernatural abilities, her relationship with James, and the ongoing saga of the Pine Lake Inn sequentially. Here is the recommended reading order:

  1. Death in Room 7 (2015) – The mystery that starts it all. When Dell’s friend Jessica is found dead in Room 7, Jessica’s ghost appears to guide Dell to the clues the police are missing.
  2. Digging for Trouble (2015) – A local eccentric's bizarre behavior leads Dell to dig into a century-old murder mystery buried beneath the town's history.
  3. Murder, Wrapped Up (2015) – A festive holiday mystery where a federal officer's sudden death lands Dell behind bars, forcing her to clear her name before Christmas.
  4. Close to Home (2016) – An urgent, panicked call from Rosie brings Dell rushing back to the inn, only to find a new crisis waiting to be solved.
  5. The Getaway (2016) – Hoping for a peaceful weekend with James in Port Arthur, Dell's trip is derailed when a missing woman's ghost warns her, and James vanishes.
  6. The Chalice Thief (2017) – The theft of a famous Tasmanian artifact brings historical intrigue and personal drama straight to the doors of the Pine Lake Inn.
  7. The Fall That Kills You (2018) – An unusual request from a guest takes a dark turn when a tourist is found dead, leaving Dell to sift through local secrets.
  8. Bottled Up (2018) – Dell heads to a beautiful beachside town for what should be a relaxing visit with an old friend, only to stumble into a fresh mystery.
  9. Little Moments (2019) – A high-profile politician is murdered in his room during the busy summer season, but Dell soon realizes there is a second mystery at play.
  10. Lightning Strikes Twice (2022) – A wedding hosted at the inn is thrown into complete chaos when a guest is murdered and the bride goes missing.
  11. All That Glitters (2023) – A kitchen mishap leads to the discovery of an old chest linked to a historic train robbery, bringing treasure hunters and a new ghost to town.
  12. Banking on Murder (2024) – Holiday cheer is threatened when a Christmas-themed mystery requires Dell and Rosie's sleuthing skills to save the season.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately for readers, the publication order and the chronological order of the Pine Lake Inn series are identical. There are no prequels or complex timeline jumps to navigate. Because of this, it is highly recommended to start with the first book, Death in Room 7, and read the books in order of release. Doing so allows you to appreciate the slow-burn character development, the evolving relationship between Dell and James, and the recurring community members in Lakeshore who grow closer with each passing volume.

The Darcy Sweet Connection

Many readers discover Pine Lake Inn through K.J. Emrick's massive and highly popular Darcy Sweet Mystery series. The Pine Lake Inn series is officially a spin-off of the Darcy Sweet books, existing within the same lighthearted, paranormal cozy mystery universe created by the author. However, there is no major plot crossover or mandatory reading link between the two. You can dive straight into the Pine Lake Inn books without having read a single page of Darcy Sweet. Dell and Rosie stand perfectly on their own as independent sleuths.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you check into the Pine Lake Inn, here are a few practical tips to enhance your reading experience:

  • The Setting: Unlike many cozy mysteries set in the United States or England, this series takes place in Lakeshore, Tasmania, Australia. The Tasmanian beaches, local bush trails, and scenic coastal landscapes act as an immersive backdrop.
  • The Paranormal Element: Dell Powers has a unique sensitivity to spirits. The ghosts in these books are not terrifying or ghoulish; instead, they serve as helpful entities seeking justice or closure, acting as a fun twist on traditional cozy mystery clues.
  • The Tone: The books are quick, clean, and highly bingeable reads. The cozy atmosphere is balanced by the humorous dynamic between the level-headed Dell and her accident-prone, energetic best friend, Rosie.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery series?

You should start with the first book, Death in Room 7. Reading in publication order is best since the characters and their relationships develop linearly throughout the series.

QDo I need to read the Darcy Sweet series before starting this one?

No. While the Pine Lake Inn series is a spin-off that shares the same cozy, paranormal universe as the Darcy Sweet books, it features a separate cast and setting and can be read completely independently.

QIs there a paranormal element to these books?

Yes. The protagonist, Dell Powers, can interact with ghosts. The spirits she encounters are friendly or seeking help, and they often provide her with clues to solve their murders.

QWhere is the Pine Lake Inn series set?

The series is set in the fictional town of Lakeshore, Tasmania, Australia, which provides a unique and scenic coastal backdrop for the mysteries.

QAre the books standalones or do they have to be read in order?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, the overarching character growth and relationships progress from book to book, making it best to read them in order.

QHow many books are in the Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery series?

As of late 2024, there are 12 books in the main series, starting with Death in Room 7 (2015) and concluding its current run with Banking on Murder (2024).