Sunny & Shadow Mystery Books in Order

Recommended Reading Order for Sunny & Shadow Mystery

The Sunny & Shadow Mystery series, written by Bill McCay under the pseudonym Claire Donally, is a self-contained five-book cozy mystery series. Because the characters evolve, relationships develop, and the human-feline bond deepens over time, it is highly recommended to read the books in their official publication order. Below is the recommended sequence to follow Sunny and Shadow's adventures from the beginning:

1. The Big Kitty (2012) – The series opener introduces Sunny Coolidge, a former New York City reporter who has returned to her hometown of Kittery Harbor, Maine, to care for her ailing father. When a local cat lady dies under suspicious circumstances, Sunny is drawn into the investigation. Along the way, she teams up with a stray, street-smart gray tomcat she names Shadow. Together, they search for a missing million-dollar lottery ticket while navigating small-town secrets.
2. Cat Nap (2013) – In their second outing, Sunny and Shadow look into the murder of a local veterinarian. The case becomes complicated as Sunny uncovers professional rivalries, financial troubles, and unexpected connections to Russian loan sharks. Shadow’s realistic feline curiosity and instincts play a key role in tracking down clues that humans miss.
3. Last Licks (2014) – Sunny takes a job at a local rehabilitation center to help make ends meet. However, trouble follows when her notoriously cranky boss suspects someone is trying to kill him. When a suspicious death occurs at the facility, Sunny and Shadow must determine who is behind the plot before the killer strikes again.
4. Hiss and Tell (2015) – The drama moves to high society when Sunny is hired to help manage a lavish wedding in Kittery Harbor. The festivities take a dark turn when a member of the wedding party is found dead. Sunny must navigate upper-class snobbery and family feuds, with Shadow assisting by sneaking into places where human investigators cannot go.
5. Catch as Cat Can (2016) – The fifth and final book in the series takes place around a local seafood shop. When a body is discovered and connections to gangsters and federal marshals emerge, Sunny and Shadow find themselves in their most dangerous investigation yet. The novel wraps up the core storylines of the series, leaving Sunny and Shadow in a stable place in their Maine community.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

There are no prequel stories, short stories, or companion novellas in the Sunny & Shadow universe. Because of this, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. The narrative arc moves forward lineary across all five novels, tracking Sunny’s adjustment to life back in Maine, her father's health, her career transitions, and Shadow's gradual transition from a feral stray to a trusted domestic companion.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, readers should keep a few unique features in mind:

• Realistic Feline Behavior: Unlike many cozy mysteries that feature magical, talking, or telepathic animals, Shadow is a regular cat. He does not speak to Sunny or possess supernatural intelligence. Instead, his contributions to the investigations are grounded in natural cat behaviors—observing from high shelves, sneaking through open windows, scratching at hidden items, and reacting to suspicious scents. The narrative alternates between Sunny's perspective and Shadow's internal, snarky, and highly feline observations.
• The Setting: The books are set in Kittery Harbor, a fictional coastal town in Maine. The setting plays a major role in the series, capturing the atmosphere of a tight-knit New England community where everyone knows everyone else’s business, making it both easier and harder to hide secrets.
• Behind the Pen Name: Claire Donally is the pseudonym of Bill McCay, a prolific author known for writing media tie-in novels, young adult fiction, and other mystery series (such as the Sudoku Mysteries under the name Kaye Morgan). McCay's background in fast-paced storytelling keeps the plots moving quickly while maintaining the lighthearted tone characteristic of cozy mysteries.

Practical Reader Advice and Standalone Potential

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final page, reading them out of order is not recommended. The emotional core of the series relies heavily on character development. Over the course of the five books, Sunny rebuilds her life after career setbacks and personal heartbreak, while Shadow slowly learns to trust humans after a difficult life on the streets. Starting with The Big Kitty ensures you appreciate the slow-burn trust that forms between the amateur sleuth and her feline partner. The series officially concluded with Catch as Cat Can in 2016, making it a quick, satisfying read for fans looking for a completed series with no cliffhangers.