The Best Way to Read the Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries
The Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries, written by Cynthia Baxter, is a classic cozy mystery series featuring Dr. Jessica "Jessie" Popper, a dedicated mobile veterinarian based on Long Island, New York. To get the most out of this delightful series, readers should follow the publication order. Because the books trace Jessica’s evolving personal life, professional challenges, and her long-term relationship with private investigator Nick Burby, reading them in order ensures you won't spoil major milestones—such as their engagement, wedding, and life as newlyweds.
Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries in Publication Order
The series consists of nine novels published between 2004 and 2010. Here is the complete list in the recommended reading order:
- Dead Canaries Don't Sing (2004): Jessica Popper’s amateur sleuthing career begins when her dogs discover a partially buried body in the woods. When her Westie uncovers a dead canary near the corpse, Jessica realizes the victim was killed to keep from "singing." Finding the local police unhelpful, she decides to investigate.
- Putting on the Dog (2004): Jessica stands in for a fellow veterinarian at a charity dog show on Long Island's elite "Bromptons" estates (a play on the Hamptons), only to find herself investigating the suspicious death of a celebrity photographer.
- Lead a Horse to Murder (2005): Called to a posh estate to treat an ailing Arabian horse, Jessica witnesses the sudden death of a talented polo player. What looks like an accident is revealed to be a poisoning, and Jessica is back on the case.
- Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow (2006): Set in Long Island’s scenic wine country during harvest season, Jessica must clear her close friend’s name when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a winery heir. The only clue is a stuffed toy rabbit. Meanwhile, Jessica adjusts to Nick moving into her cozy cottage.
- Right from the Gecko (2007): Jessica and Nick escape Long Island for Maui, Hawaii, to attend a veterinary conference. The vacation takes a dark turn when Jessica befriends an ambitious reporter who is murdered shortly after, drawing Jessica into a tropical web of suspects.
- Who's Kitten Who? (2007): Back on Long Island, Jessica goes undercover in a community theater production after a playwright is found murdered in a trunk. Her investigation is complicated by her future in-laws visiting, along with their high-maintenance Maltese.
- Monkey See, Monkey Die (2008): An old veterinary school friend asks to meet Jessica, but is murdered right before their appointment. As Jessica digs into the victim's past, she also deals with the stress of planning her upcoming wedding to Nick.
- Murder Had a Little Lamb (2009): Jessica and Nick's highly anticipated wedding day is interrupted by the murder of Nick's estranged cousin, Cousin Nathaniel. Instead of a relaxing honeymoon, Jessica dives into the secrets of an exclusive private school to find the killer.
- Crossing the Lion (2010): In the final installment of the series, Jessica and Nick investigate the suspicious death of a millionaire on the isolated Solitude Island. Trapped by a storm in a Clue-like mansion with a butler and secret passages, the newlyweds must solve the crime before the killer strikes again.
What to Know Before You Start
Cynthia Baxter (who also writes under the pseudonym Cynthia Blair) designed the series to be a lighthearted, animal-centric experience. Dr. Jessica Popper operates a mobile clinic on wheels, allowing the setting to shift effortlessly across different parts of Long Island, from posh beachfront properties to local farms and wineries. Jessica is accompanied by a beloved personal menagerie of pets that play active roles in her life and cases. These include Max, a rambunctious, tailless West Highland White Terrier; Lou, a shy, one-eyed Dalmatian; and Catherine the Great, a dignified, aging cat. The animals are not just background decoration; their behaviors and discoveries often guide Jessica toward crucial clues, making this series a must-read for pet lovers.
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final chapter, reading them out of order is not recommended. The emotional core of the series lies in the slow-burn romance between Jessica and Nick Burby. Over the course of the nine books, their relationship goes from a casual on-again, off-again status to cohabitation, engagement, and eventually marriage. Reading out of sequence will disrupt this natural character progression and spoil key romantic developments.