Soup Lover’s Mysteries Books in Order

How to Read the Soup Lover’s Mysteries in Order

If you love cozy mysteries filled with small-town charm, snowy winter aesthetics, and mouthwatering food, Connie Archer’s Soup Lover’s Mysteries is a series you need on your radar. Set in the fictional ski resort town of Snowflake, Vermont, the story follows Lucky Jamieson, who unexpectedly inherits her parents' specialty soup shop, By the Spoonful, and becomes a reluctant sleuth when murder arrives in town.

Because character relationships and the overarching story of Lucky’s adjustment to her new life develop from book to book, the best way to read this series is in publication order (which matches the chronological order). Here is the recommended reading path for the five-book series:

1. A Spoonful of Murder (2012) – The debut novel that introduces us to Lucky, the town of Snowflake, and the staff at By the Spoonful.
2. A Broth of Betrayal (2013) – A mystery involving historical secrets and a modern-day murder that deepens Lucky's connection to the town.
3. A Roux of Revenge (2014) – Set during Snowflake's busy autumn Harvest Festival, where Lucky must navigate suspicion falling on a group of travelers.
4. Ladle to the Grave (2015) – A chilly mystery surrounding Snowflake's winter pagan festival, which takes a deadly turn.
5. A Clue in the Stew (2016) – The final entry in the series, featuring a high-profile author's visit to the soup shop that ends in tragedy.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Snowflake, Vermont, there are a few useful details to keep in mind to enhance your reading experience:

• The Culinary Twist: Every book in the series includes real, delicious soup recipes at the back. Ranging from pumpkin rice soup to chilled asparagus cream, these recipes allow you to bring the flavors of By the Spoonful into your own kitchen.
• Pen Name and Identity: Connie Archer is a pen name used by author Connie di Marco. After the publication of the fifth book, the publisher brought the Soup Lover's Mysteries to a close. Di Marco then transitioned to writing her Zodiac Mysteries series, which features San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti. While the two series do not cross over, they share the author's signature talent for engaging puzzles and amateur sleuthing.
• Continuity Matters: While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the personal lives of the characters—especially Lucky's relationship with her grandfather Jack, her chef Sage DuBois, and her best friend Sophie—develop sequentially. We highly recommend starting from the beginning.

Key Characters to Know

One of the strongest elements of the series is its cast of characters, who quickly begin to feel like old friends. Here are the key players in the By the Spoonful circle:

• Lucky Jamieson: The protagonist and amateur sleuth. Lucky is resilient, practical, and fiercely loyal to her loved ones. Navigating the sudden responsibility of running a business while dealing with personal grief makes her an incredibly relatable heroine.
• Jack Jamieson: Lucky’s grandfather. Jack is eccentric, loving, and a constant source of support for Lucky as she adjusts to life in Snowflake.
• Sage DuBois: The professional chef at By the Spoonful. Sage is passionate about culinary arts and incredibly protective of the shop. His character growth from a murder suspect in the first book to a cornerstone of Lucky's life is a highlight of the series.
• Sophie Colgan: Lucky’s supportive best friend, who helps anchor Lucky in the community and provides a sounding board for her amateur investigations.

The Cozy Appeal of Snowflake, Vermont

Snowflake, Vermont, serves as more than just a setting; it is practically a character in its own right. Connie Archer uses her New England roots to paint an evocative picture of a small town tucked away in the mountains. From the chilly ski slopes to the bustling harvest festival, the town shifts beautifully with the seasons. By the Spoonful, with its warm hearth, rich aromas of simmering broths, and tight-knit staff, acts as the ultimate refuge from the freezing winter cold. This contrast between the freezing outdoor elements and the warm, comforting interior of the soup shop is a classic cozy mystery trope that Archer executes flawlessly.

Deep Dive: The Soup Lover’s Mysteries Book-by-Book

1. A Spoonful of Murder (2012)

The series opens with Lucky Jamieson returning to Snowflake, Vermont, following the tragic death of her parents. She is tasked with running their restaurant, By the Spoonful, which specializes in comforting, hot soups. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a tourist is found dead behind the shop. Worse, the primary suspect is the shop's talented professional chef, Sage DuBois. To save her new business and clear her chef's name, Lucky must dive into the town’s secrets, finding herself in the crosshairs of a killer.

2. A Broth of Betrayal (2013)

In the second installment, Snowflake is gearing up for the winter season when construction crews unearth a historical skeleton. The discovery stirs up old gossip, but the stakes rise when a fresh body is discovered soon after. As Lucky tries to keep the soup shop running smoothly for visiting skiers, she is drawn into a dual mystery that connects the town’s past with its present-day residents.

3. A Roux of Revenge (2014)

Set during the vibrant autumn Harvest Festival, this book changes up the usual snowy Vermont backdrop for crisp fall foliage. When a group of seasonal workers arrives to help with the festival, a stranger begins stalking one of Lucky's young waitresses, Janie. The tension boils over when a body is discovered in a van along the road. Lucky must work alongside the travelers to identify the killer and protect her staff.

4. Ladle to the Grave (2015)

Winter returns in full force as Snowflake hosts its traditional pagan winter festival. The cozy atmosphere is shattered when a local resident is killed during the celebrations. Lucky is once again pulled into the investigation, navigating small-town grudges and suspicious winter activities while serving up warm bowls of soup to keep the cold at bay.

5. A Clue in the Stew (2016)

In the final book of the series, a famous mystery author visits Snowflake and holds an event at By the Spoonful. The evening turns sour when the author is found murdered, and several locals have motives. Lucky must use all her sleuthing skills to crack the case, bringing a satisfying close to the community arcs established since the first book.

Practical Reading Advice and Standalone Potential

Can you read these books out of order? Yes, you can. Connie Archer does an excellent job of providing the necessary background information in each installment so that new readers will not feel lost. However, doing so means you will spoil major milestones in the characters' lives, such as the evolving romance and business dynamics of the soup shop. For the most rewarding experience, begin with A Spoonful of Murder and read them in sequence.