Books On Board

Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Books in Order

  • 10 Books
  • 2016 – 2021 Published

Amazon links here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

The Recommended Reading Order for Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries

If you are looking for a lighthearted mystery series filled with snarky humor, close friendships, and a touch of romance, Shéa MacLeod’s Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery series is the perfect escape. The series follows Viola Roberts, a former accountant who successfully transitioned into writing romance novels, only to find that real-life murder mysteries keep landing in her lap.

We highly recommend reading the Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery series in its publication order. While each mystery is resolved by the end of its respective book, the personal lives, romantic progression, and friendships of the recurring characters develop chronologically. Starting from the beginning allows you to see Viola's relationship with fellow author Lucas Salvatore blossom and witness her best friend Cheryl's major life milestones.

  1. The Corpse in the Cabana (2016) – The series starts with a bang at a writers' conference in Florida. Viola finds a famous author dead in a cabana. When she and Cheryl become the prime suspects, she must team up with fellow writer Lucas Salvatore to find the real killer.
  2. The Stiff in the Study (2016) – Viola returns to her quaint, rainy hometown of Astoria, Oregon. When a museum director is murdered, Viola must investigate the crime to clear her friend Portia's name.
  3. The Poison in the Pudding (2016) – A festive holiday mystery. Viola’s Christmas spirit is dampened when guests are poisoned by holiday pudding, putting her reputation and safety on the line.
  4. The Body in the Bathtub (2016) – Back in Astoria, a friendly bunco night turns deadly when a guest is found murdered in Viola's bathtub. Viola has to crack the case while dodging her mother's matchmaking attempts.
  5. The Venom in the Valentine (2017) – For Valentine's Day, Viola and Lucas escape to a remote Oregon coastal resort. Instead of romance, they find venomous letters and a cold-blooded killer.
  6. The Remains in the Rectory (2017) – Viola and Lucas travel across the Atlantic to the Cotswolds in England. Stranded by a severe storm in a supposedly haunted rectory in Chipping Poggs, Viola goes ghost hunting and finds a real corpse instead.
  7. The Death in the Drink (2018) – Back in Astoria, a local costuming guild's Regency-era recreation event takes a fatal turn, forcing Viola to swap historical romance writing for actual detective work.
  8. The Victim in the Vineyard (2020) – A romantic getaway to Oregon's beautiful wine country turns sour when a party guest is murdered, placing Viola and Lucas right in the middle of a vintage crime.
  9. The Ghost in the Graveyard (2020) – Halloween wedding bells are ringing for Viola's best friend, Cheryl. However, the spooky theme becomes all too real when a dead body is discovered near the cemetery.
  10. The Larceny in the Luau (2021) – Originally published in the Passport to Murder anthology, this tropical adventure finds Viola and Cheryl in Hawaii, where a stolen priceless jewel and a murder disrupt their vacation.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately for readers, there are no confusing prequels or timeline jumps in the Viola Roberts series. The chronological storyline matches the publication order exactly. Reading the books in the order they were written ensures you will not encounter spoilers regarding Viola and Lucas’s relationship, Cheryl’s wedding, or other recurring small-town dynamics in Astoria, Oregon.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind about the series:

  • The Cozy Vibe: The books are quick, light reads, typically around 200 pages. They focus heavily on character banter, dialogue, and atmospheric settings rather than dark or graphic details.
  • Astoria Settings: Author Shéa MacLeod lives in Oregon, and her love for the Pacific Northwest shines through in the vivid descriptions of Astoria's rainy seaside charm and Oregon’s wine country.
  • The Sidekick: Viola's best friend, Cheryl, is a fan-favorite character. She is known for her boozy, wise-cracking personality, acting as the perfect humorous foil to Viola's slightly more analytical approach.
  • Omnibus Collections: If you prefer to binge-read, Shéa MacLeod has released collections grouping the books (such as Books 1–3 and Books 4–6), which are often available as affordable bundles.

Frequently Asked

Can the Viola Roberts books be read as standalones?

While the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final page, it is best to read them in order. The overarching character development, including Viola and Lucas's romance and major events in Cheryl's life, builds from book to book.

Who is the author of the Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery series?

The series is written by Shéa MacLeod, an author based in Portland, Oregon, who is known for writing both cozy mysteries and paranormal urban fantasy novels.

Where is the Viola Roberts series primarily set?

Most of the books are set in the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon. However, Viola's adventures also take her to locations like Florida, Hawaii, and the Cotswolds in England.

What is the order of the first three Viola Roberts books?

The series starts with The Corpse in the Cabana, followed by The Stiff in the Study, and then the holiday-themed The Poison in the Pudding.

Is there a romance storyline in the series?

Yes, there is a light romantic thread throughout the series featuring the chemistry and developing relationship between Viola Roberts and fellow writer Lucas Salvatore.