The Recommended Reading Path for Sophie Kimball Mysteries
While the mysteries in the Sophie Kimball series are written as standalones—meaning each book features a self-contained case that is solved by the final page—readers will get the most enjoyment by following the publication order. Starting from the beginning allows you to watch the characters grow, track Sophie's evolving relationship with her precinct detective partner, and enjoy the recurring jokes and quirks of the retirement community. If you want to experience the full charm of the series, starting with Booked 4 Murder is highly recommended.
Sophie Kimball Mystery Books in Publication Order
Written by the prolific writing duo J.C. Eaton, the series follows Sophie "Phee" Kimball, a divorced, middle-aged accountant and precinct clerk from Minnesota, who constantly gets pulled into bizarre murder investigations in Sun City West, Arizona, by her meddling mother, Harriet Plunkett. Below is the complete list of books in publication order:
- Booked 4 Murder (2017) – Sophie travels to Arizona to help her mother, Harriet, when a librarian friend dies under suspicious circumstances tied to a supposedly cursed book.
- Ditched 4 Murder (2017) – Sophie is roped into planning Aunt Shelby's wedding, but things take a dark turn when the groom disappears and a body is found in a ditch.
- Staged 4 Murder (2018) – Harriet joins a community theater production, bringing Phee along as a stagehand, only for the director to be murdered.
- Botched 4 Murder (2018) – Harriet tries a new cosmetic routine at a local salon, but when the aesthetician is found dead, Phee must step in to clear her mother's name.
- Molded 4 Murder (2019) – A pottery class in Sun City West becomes the center of a murder investigation when a dead body is found molded into clay.
- Dressed Up 4 Murder (2020) – Harriet organizes a doggy fashion show for her Chiweenie, Streetman, but a fashion designer is murdered.
- Broadcast 4 Murder (2020) – Harriet gets a radio slot, only to discover a dead body live on the air, forcing Phee back into sleuthing action.
- Railroaded 4 Murder (2021) – A model railroad club hobbyist is murdered, and Phee is hired by the prime suspect to find the real killer.
- Saddled Up 4 Murder (2022) – Sun City West gets a new equestrian club, but a trainer's murder leaves the community rattled and Phee on the trail.
- Grilled 4 Murder (2022) – During a barbecue cook-off, the lead grill master is murdered, and Phee must sort through the smokey clues.
- Strike Out 4 Murder (2023) – A softball game ends in disaster when a spectator thinks she saw a body, leading to an attempt on her life and a missing corpse.
- Revved Up 4 Murder (2024) – Phee helps a classic car restoration garage owner clear his name when a body is found in the workshop.
- Pinned 4 Murder (2024) – A corpse turns up in the pin-return mechanism of a local bowling alley, prompting a strike-filled investigation.
- Puzzled 4 Murder (2025) – A massive 40,000-piece jigsaw puzzle at the retirement center becomes the backdrop for a murder mystery.
- Planted 4 Murder (2025) – Harriet and her friends join an agriculture club, but their gardening efforts yield a severed hand instead of fresh vegetables.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, there are a few elements that define the tone of the Sophie Kimball series. First, the books are lighthearted cozy mysteries. They feature minimal gore, focus heavily on humor, and showcase the eccentricities of active seniors. A significant source of comedy is Harriet's Chiweenie dog, Streetman, who frequently gets his own subplots and outfits.
The writing team behind the pen name J.C. Eaton consists of husband-and-wife duo Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp. They drew inspiration from their own move to a real-life Arizona retirement community, which explains why the setting feels so authentic and alive. The regional appeal of the series was recognized when the debut book, Booked 4 Murder, won the 2018 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award in the Cozy Mystery category.
Are there Spin-offs or Crossovers?
While J.C. Eaton has written several other popular mystery series—including the Wine Trail Mysteries (featuring Norrie Ellington), the Charcuterie Shop Mysteries (featuring Katie Aubrey), and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries—they exist as separate series. They do not feature direct crossovers or shared storylines with Sophie Kimball, meaning you can enjoy them independently without worrying about missing plot points. However, they share the same trademark humor and cozy vibe, making them excellent choices for readers who finish the Sophie Kimball books and want more of the authors' writing style.