The Recommended Reading Order for Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read this series in its chronological order. Because the relationship between firefighter Stella Griffin and the resident ghost, Eric Gamlyn, develops over time, and because the mystery of Eric's death is a major overarching plotline, skipping around will spoil key elements of the story.
Here is the recommended reading path, which inserts the companion novella in its proper chronological slot:
- Book 1: That Old Flame of Mine (2013) – Stella Griffin arrives in Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, takes over the volunteer fire brigade, and meets the ghost of the former chief.
- Book 1.5: Hero’s Journey (2013) – A short holiday novella featuring a search for Stella's Dalmatian puppy, Hero, amid suspicious local fires.
- Book 2: Playing with Fire (2014) – Stella dives deeper into the mystery of Eric's death while trying to keep the peace in town.
- Book 3: In Hot Water (2015) – A series of suspicious house fires puts Stella's leadership and investigative skills to the test.
- Book 4: Sweet Pepper Hero (2016) – Tensions boil over as Stella investigates a fire at a local moonshine distillery.
Detailed Publication Order Breakdown
If you prefer to follow the books exactly as they hit the shelves, the publication order is identical to the chronological timeline. Below is the detailed breakdown of the books published under the Berkley Prime Crime imprint:
1. That Old Flame of Mine (Published March 5, 2013)
This book introduces readers to Stella Griffin, a former Chicago firefighter who moves to the small town of Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, to escape her past. She takes up the job of fire chief for the local volunteer fire department, only to discover her cabin is haunted by Eric Gamlyn, the former fire chief who died under suspicious circumstances. When Stella's friend Tory is killed in an apparent arson, Stella and Eric's ghost must team up to crack the case.
2. Hero's Journey (Published December 3, 2013)
This holiday-themed novella serves as Book 1.5. Stella is settling into her life in the Smoky Mountains when her new Dalmatian puppy, Hero, goes missing. As she searches for the pup, she is caught in a web of small-town secrets and a string of fires that threaten the town's holiday spirit. Eric's ghost is by her side to help guide her back to safety.
3. Playing with Fire (Published March 4, 2014)
In the second full-length novel, the main storyline focuses heavily on Eric's past. A retired deputy returns to Sweet Pepper with new information about the fire that killed Eric. Stella must investigate the cold case while dealing with new threats and the challenges of managing a small-town volunteer department that doesn't always welcome outsiders.
4. In Hot Water (Published March 3, 2015)
Stella finds herself in the middle of a political and personal storm. When a series of devastating house fires breaks out and local officials begin pointing fingers, Stella must work quickly to find the real arsonist. The supernatural bond between Stella and Eric deepens as they uncover layers of corruption hidden in the mountains.
5. Sweet Pepper Hero (Published March 1, 2016)
The final book in the series takes Stella into the heart of Appalachian moonshining culture. A fire at a distillery sparks a major investigation, exposing long-standing family feuds and historical rivalries. Stella has to rely on her firefighting instincts, her team, and her spectral mentor to solve her most dangerous case yet.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries, there are a few unique elements that define the series:
- The Setting: Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, is a fictional small town nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is famous for its Tennessee Teardrop peppers, which are known for being both exceptionally sweet and incredibly hot. This signature pepper features prominently in the local culture (and the recipes included in the books).
- The Ghostly Partner: Unlike traditional cozy mysteries where the sleuth works alone or with a human partner, Stella's main confidant is the ghost of Eric Gamlyn. Eric cannot interact physically with the world, but he uses his knowledge of the town, his firefighting background, and his culinary skills to help Stella.
- Overarching Continuity: While each book has a self-contained arson or murder mystery, the overarching mystery of Eric's death and Stella's integration into the Sweet Pepper community runs through all five stories. For this reason, reading them out of order is not recommended.
About the Authors: J.J. Cook
J.J. Cook was the pen name used by the prolific husband-and-wife writing team Joyce and Jim Lavene. Together, the Lavenes wrote over 80 novels across multiple genres, with a strong focus on cozy mysteries. They were known for creating warm, atmospheric Southern settings and writing engaging stories featuring strong female leads, often with a supernatural or whimsical twist. In addition to the J.J. Cook pseudonym, they also published under their own names and other aliases such as Ellie Ashley.
Spin-Offs and Companion Series
While the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series wrapped up with Sweet Pepper Hero in 2016, fans of J.J. Cook's writing style can also enjoy the Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mysteries. Also written under the J.J. Cook pseudonym, this three-book cozy mystery series features food truck owner Fiona Sands solving crimes in Mobile, Alabama. The series includes:
- Death on Eat Street (2014)
- Fry Another Day (2015)
- Gator Bowl (2016)