The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, the Tory Bauer series should be read in its original publication order. The books follow a continuous timeline where characters age, relationships develop, and the small, dusty town of Delphi, South Dakota, shifts with the seasons. Reading the books out of order will spoil major developments in Tory’s personal life, particularly her evolving relationship status and her living arrangements with her roommate, Delphine.
Here is the recommended order to follow Tory's sleuthing journey:
- Funeral Food (1993) – Tory’s quiet life is disrupted when she discovers a Mormon missionary dead in the Delphi Café's mop closet. She must clear her own name and investigate the secrets simmering in her community.
- Sex and Salmonella (1996) – A local carnival worker dies, throwing Tory into a messy web of food poisoning, betrayal, and small-town politics.
- The Hotel South Dakota (1997) – During a local high-school reunion, Tory is pulled into investigating a drowning that mirrors a tragic event from 1969.
- Mourning Shift (1998) – The death of an estranged husband of the café’s owner in the restroom forces Tory back into the role of a reluctant detective.
- Cold Front (2000) – Delphi is hit by a brutal winter storm, and a frozen body reveals long-hidden local grudges.
- Foreign Body (2001) – A visiting choir's arrival coincides with a suspicious suicide and murder, marking the final entry in Tory's primary sleuthing arc.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
There is no divergence between the publication order and the internal chronology of the series. Kathleen Taylor wrote the books sequentially, with each case taking place after the events of the previous novel. The only minor point of confusion for collectors is the debut novel, Funeral Food, which was originally titled The Missionary Position during its initial drafting and legal delays before eventually being published by Avon Books in 1993.
What to Know Before You Start
Kathleen Taylor’s mysteries are often described as having the humor of Janet Evanovich mixed with a dusty, realistic prairie atmosphere. Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- An Unconventional Heroine: Unlike many glamorous or hyper-sleek cozy mystery protagonists, Tory Bauer is a relatable, forty-something, overweight widow who lives in a trailer park and slings hash at the local diner. Her sharp tongue and practical outlook make her stand out in the genre.
- The Setting as a Character: Delphi, South Dakota, is vividly drawn. Taylor captures both the harsh winters and the gossip-filled summers of rural America, making the town feel alive.
- A Realistic Tone: While the books are cozy and humorous, they contain a touch of grit. The characters are flawed, make mistakes, and face real-world struggles, which gives the series a cult following among readers who appreciate authenticity.
Spin-offs, Co-authored Books, and Other Works
The Tory Bauer series remains a self-contained six-book mystery arc. Kathleen Taylor has not written any official spin-offs or co-authored novels set in the Delphi universe. Outside of fiction, Taylor is a well-known freelance knitwear designer and has published non-fiction books focused on knitting and crafts, but these are entirely separate from her mystery writing.