The Recommended Reading Order for Seacliff High Mystery
For the best reading experience, readers should follow the series in its official order. The overarching narrative of Alyson Prescott adjusting to her new life in the witness protection program, building trust with her high school friend group, and dodging the dangerous threat of a powerful gang family spans across all seven books. Skipping around will spoil character developments and the progression of the mystery surrounding her identity.
- The Secret (2015)
- The Curse (2015)
- The Relic (2015)
- The Conspiracy (2015)
- The Grudge (2015)
- The Shadow (2017)
- The Haunting (2017)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
In the Seacliff High Mystery series, the publication order matches the chronological order perfectly. Author Kathi Daley published the first five books in rapid succession in 2015, followed by the final two books in 2017. Because each book covers a sequential period in Alyson's new life at Seacliff High—from her initial arrival to school holiday celebrations, local events, and seasonal trips—there is no need to rearrange the reading list. Following the order in which they were published ensures a smooth timeline transition.
A Book-by-Book Guide to the Series
1. The Secret (2015)
The series opens with Alyson Prescott and her mother abandoning their luxurious, high-society lives to start over in Cutters Cove, Oregon. Rebranded under the witness protection program after Alyson witnesses a crime by a powerful gang family, they purchase a dilapidated mansion on a cliff. Alyson quickly discovers that the house holds a dark secret known only to the recently deceased former resident, kicking off her first amateur investigation while she attempts to fit in at Seacliff High.
2. The Curse (2015)
Set during the Halloween season, the atmosphere in Cutters Cove grows increasingly eerie. When two high school students go missing, the local adults seem quick to dismiss the incidents or sweep them under the rug. Alyson suspects a more sinister threat is active in the town and recruits her new school friends to help uncover what is really happening behind the scenes of the town's seasonal events.
3. The Relic (2015)
In this installment, the cozy mystery elements blend directly with the paranormal. Guided by a helpful spirit, Alyson is led to a mysterious treasure map. This discovery sends her and her friends on a search for a century-old relic that is rumored to possess life-sustaining properties. The investigation forces Alyson to confront her deepest fears while exploring the local Oregon caves.
4. The Conspiracy (2015)
During the annual Cutters Cove Christmas Carnival, Alyson suffers a suspicious accident that nearly costs her her life. Rather than stepping back, she and her friends double down, believing the accident was a deliberate attempt to stop them from exposing a massive cover-up. Their investigation reveals that prominent town residents may be involved in a deep conspiracy.
5. The Grudge (2015)
The mystery moves out of Cutters Cove temporarily as Alyson and her high school friend group go on a trip to a local ski resort. What was supposed to be a fun vacation turns cold when they discover a dead body in the snow. As unusual events disrupt the resort, Alyson realizes a killer is targeting individuals to settle an old grudge, prompting her to step in before the body count rises.
6. The Shadow (2017)
After a two-year publishing hiatus, the series returned with one of its highest-stakes premises. While walking along the atmospheric cliffs of Cutters Cove, Alyson witnesses a man pushing a woman to her death. However, when she alerts the local authorities, they find no trace of a body or a crime scene. Alyson must work to prove her own sanity while hunting down the shadow of a killer.
7. The Haunting (2017)
The final book in the series centers on the dilapidated cliffside mansion Alyson calls home. When mischievous spirits begin to disrupt the property, Alyson attempts to investigate the source of the ghostly activity. Instead of random hauntings, she discovers that the spirits have a direct connection to her own past and the underlying secrets of Cutters Cove, wrapping up the series with a mix of closure and paranormal intrigue.
What to Know Before You Start
The Seacliff High Mystery series is classified as a Young Adult cozy mystery. It stands out for its clean storytelling, free of coarse language or graphic elements, making it suitable for pre-teens, teenagers, and adult fans of lighthearted mysteries alike. The series frequently draws comparisons to classic teen detective novels like Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, but incorporates modern plot elements, such as the witness protection program, to add contemporary stakes. The paranormal elements—such as friendly ghosts and treasure maps—are kept light and serve as puzzle-solving aids rather than dark fantasy elements.
Daley’s Cozy Universe Connections
Kathi Daley is a prolific author known for establishing crossovers across her various cozy mystery series (such as the crossover between her Zoe Donovan series and the Sand and Sea Hawaiian mysteries). While the Seacliff High Mystery series remains a self-contained story arc with no active crossovers, Daley has previously discussed potential crossover ideas involving Alyson Prescott. Reading this complete seven-book series offers a great entry point to Daley's signature style of small-town settings, strong ensemble casts, and lighthearted intrigue.