How to Read the Port Danby Series
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Port Danby Cozy Mystery series in publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final page, the overarching character dynamics, recurring town gossip, and the slow-burn romance between flower shop owner Lacey Pinkerton and Detective James Briggs develop sequentially. Reading out of order will spoil major relationship milestones and character growth.
The series is set in the fictional coastal town of Port Danby, where Lacey "Pink" Pinkerton retreats after leaving a fast-paced career in the city. Lacey is not your average amateur sleuth—she possesses a "million-dollar nose," a hyper-acute sense of smell that allows her to detect subtle scents and chemical compounds that others miss. Alongside her pet crow Kingston, her tabby cat Nevermore, and a colorful cast of small-town neighbors, Lacey regularly finds herself assisting the local police department in sniffing out killers.
Port Danby Books in Chronological Publication Order
Here is the complete list of all 21 primary novels in the Port Danby series, reflecting their original release order. Starting with Lacey's arrival in town, the books follow the seasons, holidays, and changing floral arrangements of Pink's Flowers:
- Marigolds and Murder (2017) – Lacey arrives in Port Danby, opens her flower shop, meets Detective Briggs, and solves her first case involving a poisoned neighbor.
- Carnations and Chaos (2017) – A local food fair turns deadly when a popular food blogger is murdered, and Lacey's floral display is caught in the middle.
- Mistletoe and Mayhem (2017) – Holiday cheer is disrupted when a boat owner is killed just before the annual Harbor Holiday Lights Flotilla.
- Roses and Revenge (2018) – Love is in the air for Valentine's Day, but romance is sidelined by a suspicious death at a local estate.
- Tulips and Trouble (2018) – Spring brings the annual Spring Festival, along with a high-profile art theft and a matching homicide.
- Dahlias and Death (2018) – A quiet weekend getaway turns into a classic locked-room mystery when a storm traps guests at an old manor with a killer.
- Peonies and Poison (2018) – Lacey must investigate a local health spa after a wealthy guest dies under mysterious circumstances.
- Hyacinths and Homicide (2018) – The opening of a new theater in Port Danby is marred by a stage mishap that turns out to be murder.
- Crocuses and Crime (2019) – A local history project unearths long-buried town secrets and a fresh corpse.
- Sunflowers and Sabotage (2019) – Rivalry at the county fair turns deadly when a prize-winning gardener is found dead.
- Lavender and Lies (2019) – A retreat to a local lavender farm becomes stressful when a guest is murdered, pointing the finger at the farm's owner.
- Freesias and Foul Play (2020) – An antique dealer's death leads Lacey on a treasure hunt through Port Danby's history.
- Cornflowers and Corpses (2020) – Lacey helps organize a community clean-up day, only to stumble upon a body hidden in the coastal cliffs.
- Jasmine and Jealousy (2020) – A high-society wedding in Port Danby is interrupted when a member of the bridal party is poisoned.
- Shamrocks and Shenanigans (2021) – St. Patrick's Day celebrations and a heated local mayoral race clash when one of the candidates is found dead.
- Thistles and the Unthinkable (2021) – An eccentric writer moves to town, bringing a storm of controversy and a suspicious death.
- Holly and Horror (2021) – Lacey and Briggs take a winter ski trip to the Rocky Mountains, only to cross paths with characters from London Lovett's other series and solve a snowbound murder.
- Violets and Vengeance (2022) – A mystery blogger threatening to expose the town's darkest secrets is silenced permanently.
- Daisies and Destruction (2022) – The arrival of a Hollywood film crew in Port Danby brings glamour, drama, and a real-life murder on set.
- Lilacs and Liability (2023) – A local business dispute turns fatal, forcing Lacey to untangle financial motives and neighborhood grudges.
- Poinsettias and Peril (2023) – Lacey prepares for her first Christmas as a married woman, but she gets caught in a deadly feud between local tree farmers.
The Cozy Shared Universe: Crossovers to Know
Author London Lovett has constructed a shared cozy universe where characters from her different series occasionally meet and interact. If you are a fan of completing entire story universes, there are two key crossover novels you should know about that connect Port Danby with her Firefly Junction series (which follows reporter Sunni Taylor):
- Double Trouble (Firefly Junction Book 6, published August 2019) – In this book, Lacey Pinkerton and her friend Lola Button travel away from Port Danby to the Cider Ridge Inn. While there, they meet Sunni Taylor and team up to solve a mystery. To preserve the timeline, this book should ideally be read between Sunflowers and Sabotage (Book 10) and Lavender and Lies (Book 11).
- Holly and Horror (Port Danby Book 17, published December 2021) – This is the reciprocal crossover. Lacey and Detective James Briggs go on a romantic ski weekend at Buttercup Mountain in the Rocky Mountains. They run into Sunni Taylor and her boyfriend, Detective Brady Jackson. When the men get stranded in a storm on the mountain, Lacey and Sunni are left to solve an active murder case at the resort.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Before diving into Port Danby, keep these helpful details in mind to maximize your enjoyment of this seaside escape:
The Slow-Burn Romance: The relationship between Lacey Pinkerton and Detective James Briggs is a classic slow-burn. They begin as reluctant partners, with Briggs cautious of Lacey's amateur meddling, before building a deep trust that slowly blossoms into romance, engagement, and eventually marriage by the final books.
Quirky Companions: Lacey is rarely alone. Her pet crow, Kingston, is exceptionally smart and often retrieves clues (or shiny objects), while her rescue cat, Nevermore, keeps watch at the flower shop. Human neighbors like the eccentric Elsie and Lester add a layer of humor and warmth to the small-town setting.
Bonus Sweet Treats: True to cozy mystery traditions, London Lovett includes a delicious dessert recipe at the end of each book. The treats are usually inspired by the baked goods Lacey and her friends enjoy during the story, giving readers a tangible way to bring a taste of Port Danby into their own kitchens.