Two Sisters and a Journalist Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Two Sisters and a Journalist

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read Maddie Cochere's Two Sisters and a Journalist series in its original publication order. While each book features a self-contained amateur sleuthing mystery, the personal lives, romantic interests, and career progressions of the main trio evolve significantly across the books. Reading them sequentially allows you to appreciate Jo's transformation from a struggling divorcee into a licensed private investigator, as well as the developing dynamics of her eccentric family.

Here is the complete chronological and publication sequence for the series:

1. Murder Under Construction (2014) – The book that starts it all. At 32 years old, newly divorced Jo Ravens is stuck in a dead-end job when she discovers a body at a construction site. With the help of her sister Pepper and local journalist Jackie, Jo follows a series of bizarre dreams to crack her very first murder case.
2. Murder Is Where the Heart Is (2015) – Jo finds herself on the wrong side of the law when she becomes the prime suspect in a triple homicide and kidnapping. She must race against the clock to clear her name while managing her family's hilarious antics.
3. Murder Welcomes You to Buxley (2015) – When a new weight loss center opens in Buxley, it brings drama, a dumpster murder, and a special crossover appearance from Maddie Cochere's other famous series protagonist, Susan Hunter.
4. Murder Wins the Game (2015) – A chaotic lottery win sends Buxley into a frenzy. Jo is forced to navigate a high-stakes, out-of-control situation where a missing winning ticket leads to deadly consequences.
5. Murder Between the Covers (2015) – Jo continues to build her reputation as a private investigator, dealing with complex cases involving missing persons and infidelity while trying to manage a growing caseload with local help.
6. Murder - A Chummy Affair (2016) – Legal trouble strikes closer to home than ever. Jo is accused of attempted murder, and Pepper is wanted for a separate murder. Pepper is forced to go on the run and hide while Jo frantically searches for the true culprit.
7. Murder Wears a Veil (2017) – During a family vacation to Hawaii, Jo witnesses a murder. To avoid a disruptive subpoena that would keep her in Hawaii, she tries to solve the mystery from her home in Ohio, leading to a complex web of lies.
8. Murder Breaks the Bank (2018) – Jo takes on a surveillance job to protect a client at a bank, but a sudden and deadly twist puts both her client and her own career in extreme jeopardy.
9. Murder Runs Amok (2022) – Jo Wheeler (now married) has her hands full when mysterious bodies begin appearing on her front lawn. Amidst surveillance jobs, her partner Pepper hiring new staff, and her mother auditioning for a national talent show, Jo must keep herself from being kidnapped by a dangerous local.

The Susan Hunter Crossover and the Shared Universe

Maddie Cochere's writing career began with another beloved cozy series: the Susan Hunter Mysteries. Spanning seven books, that series follows Susan Hunter, an energetic manager of a weight loss center and a passionate racquetball player. The books in the Susan Hunter series include:

• Sunshine Hunter (2012)
• Big Apple Hunter (2012)
• Sin City Hunter (2012)
• Big Easy Hunter (2012)
• Windy City Hunter (2012)
• Maple Leaf Hunter (2013)
• Buckeye Hunter (2015)

The two series officially collide in the third book of the main series, Murder Welcomes You to Buxley. Jo Ravens and her sister Pepper visit the new 'Slimmers Weight Loss' center in Buxley and meet Susan Hunter herself. When a murder occurs at the center, the characters from both series combine their unique investigative talents to solve the crime. Reading the first few Susan Hunter books before this crossover is not mandatory, but it adds delightful context and depth to Susan's guest appearance.

Chronology, Character Development, and Reading Caveats

One of the most notable changes for readers tracking the series is the evolution of the main character's name. Jo begins the series as Jo Ravens, a divorcee trying to rebuild her life. As the books progress, she develops a relationship with Buxley police officer Glenn Wheeler. By the time of Murder Breaks the Bank and Murder Runs Amok, she is known as Jo Wheeler, and the two run the Baranski and Wheeler Investigations agency together. Pepper, Jo's sister, remains her loyal business partner and co-investigator throughout the series.

While the publication order is very straightforward, there are occasional source disagreements regarding the exact release year of the debut novel, Murder Under Construction. Some retail sites and early reviews mark its release in late 2013, while most bibliography databases list the official publication date as 2014. Regardless of the copyright date, it remains the essential starting point for the series.

What to Know Before You Start

The Two Sisters and a Journalist series is celebrated for its breezy, humorous, and sometimes coarse tone. It focuses heavily on family dynamics, particularly the sisters' relationship with their eccentric, whoopee-cushion-loving 85-year-old mother (Mama), whose comedic antics and quest for fame provide constant comic relief. If you enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries with relatable heroines, small-town Ohio settings, clean puzzles, and a strong dash of family humor, this series is a perfect fit for your reading list.