Zoe Donovan Mysteries Books in Order

How to Start the Zoe Donovan Mysteries

For readers looking to dive into Kathi Daley’s popular cozy-lite series, the best path forward is simple: read the books in publication order. While each installment features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the underlying character relationships, personal milestones, and small-town dynamics of Ashton Falls evolve significantly from book to book. Starting from the beginning allows you to watch Zoe Donovan’s journey from a free-spirited animal control officer to a seasoned amateur sleuth, alongside the development of her romance with Zak Zimmerman.

If you prefer to sample the series before committing, the first three books—set during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas respectively—serve as the perfect introduction to the town’s seasonal charm and core cast of characters, including Zoe’s trusty dog Charlie.

Complete Publication Order of Zoe Donovan Mysteries

Below is the complete list of books in the Zoe Donovan Mysteries series based on publication order. Note that the series contains both full-length novels and holiday-themed novellas, as well as a companion cookbook:

1. Halloween Hijinks (2013) – Zoe stumbles upon a dead body in a haunted house basement, kicking off the series.
2. The Trouble with Turkeys (2013) – A Thanksgiving mystery involving a missing local and plenty of holiday prep.
3. Christmas Crazy (2013) – The murder of a stand-in Santa threatens Ashton Falls’ Hometown Christmas celebration.
4. Cupid's Curse (2014) – Valentine's Day turns deadly when a romantic getaway leads to a murder investigation.
5. Zoe's Treasure Hunt (2014) – A spring-themed adventure involving a town-wide treasure hunt and a real-life crime.
6. Big Bunny Bump Off (2014) – Easter festivities are interrupted by a suspicious death in the community.
7. Beach Blanket Barbie (2014) – Zoe takes her sleuthing skills to the lakeside beach during the summer season.
8. Maui Madness (2014) – A tropical getaway turns into a search for clues when a crime occurs in Hawaii.
9. Derby Divas (2014) – Ashton Falls hosts a local derby event, bringing competitive spirits and a new mystery.
10. Haunted Hamlet (2014) – Autumn returns to Ashton Falls with a spooky mystery in an old, supposedly haunted hamlet.
11. Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies (2014) – Zoe tackles the death of the town's cat lady while managing dozens of stray felines.
12. Christmas Cozy (2014) – A snowy sleigh ride and the murder of a secretive local schoolteacher, Mrs. Jolly.
13. Alaskan Alliance (2014) – Zoe travels north to Alaska, finding herself embroiled in a chilly mystery.
14. Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook (2014) – A companion cookbook featuring recipes alongside holiday anecdotes from Zoe and her friends.
15. Matrimony Meltdown (2015) – Wedding bells are ringing, but a sudden crime threatens to ruin the big day.
16. Soul Surrender (2015) – A deeper emotional mystery that challenges Zoe and her close-knit circle of friends.
17. Heavenly Honeymoon (2015) – Zoe’s honeymoon trip takes a dangerous turn when a body is discovered.
18. Hopscotch Homicide (2015) – A lighthearted summer-themed mystery involving neighborhood games and secrets.
19. Ghostly Graveyard (2015) – A Halloween-adjacent mystery centering around the local historic cemetery.
20. Santa Sleuth (2015) – Another festive Christmas case requiring Zoe's unique investigative skills.
21. Shamrock Shenanigans (2015) – St. Patrick's Day brings green beer, parade planning, and a puzzling murder.
22. Kitten Kaboodle (2016) – An animal-centric mystery featuring a litter of kittens and a complex web of lies.
23. Costume Catastrophe (2016) – A costume party goes awry when one of the guests is found dead.
24. Candy Cane Caper (2016) – Holiday treats and sweet clues lead Zoe to a Christmas thief and murderer.
25. Holiday Hangover (2016) – The aftermath of the holiday season brings a cold-case mystery to the forefront.
26. Easter Escapade (2017) – A major crossover event featuring characters from the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series.
27. Camp Carter (2017) – Summer camp activities are disrupted by a suspicious outdoor crime.
28. Trick or Treason (2017) – Political secrets and Halloween mischief collide in Ashton Falls.
29. Reindeer Roundup (2017) – A festive winter mystery involving holiday animals and small-town gossip.
30. Hippity Hoppity Homicide (2018) – Spring brings easter egg hunts and a fresh investigation for Zoe.
31. Firework Fiasco (2018) – Fourth of July celebrations are cut short by a deadly explosion and investigation.
32. Henderson House (2018) – Zoe investigates the dark history surrounding a local historic estate.
33. Holiday Hostage (2018) – A high-stakes holiday case that puts Zoe and her friends in immediate danger.
34. Lunacy Lake (2019) – A summer resort mystery full of eccentric guests and hidden motives.
35. Celtic Christmas (2019) – Holiday traditions take a Celtic turn, bringing new music, food, and a murder.
36. Deja Diva (2020) – Zoe faces a mystery that feels strangely familiar, forcing her to look to the past.
37. Sleighs, Sleuths, and Siblings (2022) – Family drama and holiday sleuthing mix in this winter-themed cozy.
38. Miracles, Mysteries, and Memories (2023) – The final core book of the decade-long run, wrapping up major character arcs.

Chronological vs. Publication Order & the Holiday Cycle

Because Kathi Daley releases several books a year, the Zoe Donovan series operates on an accelerated timeline that mirrors real-world seasonal cycles. Almost every book is tied to a specific holiday, festival, or seasonal event. For example, readers will follow the characters through successive Halloweens, Thanksgivings, and Christmases. Because of this, the chronological order of the story matches the publication order exactly. Reading out of order will result in major spoilers regarding relationships, marriages, and character growth.

The Zoe Donovan Universe: Spin-Offs & Crossovers

As the series grew, Kathi Daley expanded the world of Ashton Falls by introducing connected stories and crossover events with her other series:

The Zimmerman Academy Novellas

This official spin-off series centers on the Zimmerman Academy and focuses on the minor characters who live and work in the Ashton Falls area. Told from alternating perspectives, these novellas flesh out the backstories of beloved secondary characters:

• The New Normal (2015) – Features Ellie’s perspective as she adjusts to changes in the community.
• New Beginnings (2016) – Focused on Phyllis Ki, the academy principal, as she navigates new personal and professional paths.

The Hawaiian Crossover Event

In 2017, Kathi Daley wrote a formal crossover event connecting the Zoe Donovan Mysteries with her Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series. To get the complete story, readers should read these two books back-to-back:

• Easter Escapade (Zoe Donovan Mysteries #26) – Lani Pope and Luke Austin from the Sand and Sea series travel to Ashton Falls, Nevada, assisting Zoe and Zak with a local case.
• Murder at Water's Edge (Sand and Sea Mysteries #6) – The crossover continues as Zoe and Zak travel to Maui, Hawaii, to help Lani and Luke solve a tropical mystery.

Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

Published in late 2014, the Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook is a companion piece rather than a traditional mystery novel. It features over 50 holiday-themed recipes alongside anecdotes, stories, and commentary written in the voice of Zoe Donovan. It is best enjoyed after reading Alaskan Alliance (Book 13) to avoid spoilers about the characters' lives at that point in the timeline.

What to Know Before You Start

The Zoe Donovan Mysteries are categorized as "cozy-lite" mysteries. They feature fast pacing, minimal graphic violence, and short lengths (typically under 200 pages), making them quick, comfort reads. A major element of the series is animal advocacy; Zoe is an animal control officer who spends significant time rescuing, rehabilitating, and relocating stray animals. If you love pets, cozy small towns, and light romantic subplots, this series is custom-built for you.