How to Read the Witch City Mystery Series
If you want to experience the optimal progression of Lee Barrett's psychic abilities, her evolving career at WICH-TV, and her relationships with detective Pete Mondello and her aunt Ibby, you should read the series in publication order. Because the books follow a linear chronological timeline, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. Reading the books in order ensures you do not encounter spoilers regarding major character milestones, such as marriages, career changes, or the evolving powers of O'Ryan the cat.
Witch City Mystery Publication Order
The core series spans 15 full-length novels, beginning in 2014 and continuing with regular updates. Below is the complete list of books in their recommended reading order:
- Caught Dead Handed (2014) – Lee Barrett returns to Salem, loses a teaching job, and winds up hosting a psychic show on local television, discovering her own scrying abilities.
- Tails, You Lose (2015) – Lee volunteers at a local arts academy housed in a former department store, only to find a body in the building.
- Look Both Ways (2015) – A hit-and-run accident leads Lee and O'Ryan into a mystery involving a historic Salem home.
- Murder Go Round (2017) – The restoration of a historic Salem carousel is halted by a murder, and Lee must investigate the clues left behind.
- Grave Errors (2017) – Lee's television class explores Day of the Dead traditions, leading to a grim discovery in a local graveyard.
- It Takes a Coven (2018) – When a friend is accused of murder, Lee plunges into Salem's modern-day coven culture to clear their name.
- Bells, Spells, and Murders (2018) – A festive Christmas wedding is threatened by a series of chilling crimes and suspicious bells.
- Final Exam (2019) – A WICH-TV internship program takes a deadly turn, forcing Lee to track down a killer among the students.
- Late Checkout (2019) – Lee helps manage a local bed-and-breakfast, only to find one of the guests dead in their room.
- Murder, Take Two (2020) – A commercial shoot in Salem becomes a crime scene when a prop weapon is replaced with a real one.
- See Something (2021) – O'Ryan the cat plays a crucial role when Lee investigates a murder tied to a historic Salem museum.
- 'Til Death (2022) – Pete and Lee’s wedding plans are put on hold when a murder investigation interrupts their big day.
- Now You See It (2023) – A magic show at a local theater becomes the backdrop for a baffling crime that Lee must solve.
- Death Scene (2024) – A Hollywood film crew arrives in Salem to shoot a movie, but a real-life poison plot halts production.
- Sugar and Spite (2025) – A pregnant Lee profiles Salem's sweet shops, only to find a chocolatier's husband murdered, triggering the return of her psychic visions.
Witch City Mystery Chronological Caveats & Continuity
While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final chapter, reading them out of order is not recommended for readers who enjoy character growth. The relationships between Lee, Pete, and Aunt Ibby shift significantly across the series. Major life events—such as Lee and Pete's wedding in 'Til Death and Lee's pregnancy in Sugar and Spite—will be spoiled if read out of sequence. Additionally, Lee’s understanding and control of her scrying powers (which she accesses by looking into reflective surfaces like obsidian balls) develop gradually over time.
The Wicked Salem Mystery Spin-Off
In 2026, Carol J. Perry expanded the Witch City universe with a direct spin-off series titled the Wicked Salem Mysteries. This series shifts the protagonist spotlight from Lee Barrett to her beloved Aunt Ibby, who takes on a more prominent role in amateur sleuthing. The setting remains in Salem, and familiar faces from the original series make regular appearances.
- It's About Time (2026) – The first installment in the Wicked Salem series, focusing on Aunt Ibby's adventures and local mysteries.
Companion Series: Haunted Haven Mysteries
If you enjoy Carol J. Perry's blend of cozy mystery, quirky animals, and light paranormal elements, you may also want to read her Haunted Haven Mystery series. Set in Haven, Florida, this series follows Maureen Doherty as she inherits a historic, ghost-filled inn. While it is not a direct spin-off of the Witch City series, it shares the same friendly, supernatural-cozy tone.
- Be My Ghost (2021)
- High Spirits (2022)
- Haunting License (2024)
- The Spirit Moves (2025)
- Double Knot Untied (2026)
What to Know Before You Start
The Witch City Mystery series is deeply rooted in the real-world history and seasonal atmosphere of Salem, Massachusetts. Carol J. Perry was born and raised in Salem, and her familiarity with the city's cobblestone streets, historical landmarks, and Halloween celebrations shines through the narratives. The books do not feature dark or graphic violence; instead, they focus on puzzles, community interactions, and light supernatural aid from O'Ryan, a red tabby cat with a knack for spotting clues. The magic in the series is subtle, focusing on Lee's psychic flashes rather than spellcasting, making it highly accessible to readers who prefer traditional cozy mysteries with just a touch of the paranormal.