Ann Myers Books in Order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

If you are new to the cozy mystery worlds of Ann Myers, you have several excellent entry points depending on your personal taste in subgenres. Because she writes under multiple names, her style ranges from mouthwatering culinary capers to bookish investigations and scenic travel-infused puzzles. Here is the best way to dive in:

• For foodies and culinary cozy lovers: Start with Bread of the Dead (2015), the first book in the Santa Fe Café Mysteries written under her real name, Ann Myers. It perfectly establishes her signature recipe-blending style.
• For book lovers and library fans: Start with Better Off Read (2018), published under her pseudonym Nora Page. It features a fierce septuagenarian librarian and a retrofitted bookmobile in Georgia.
• For classic mystery lovers: Start with Dead and Gondola (2022), written under her pseudonym Ann Claire. It follows two bookseller sisters in a snowed-in Colorado mountain town, channeling their inner Agatha Christie.
• For armchair travelers: Start with A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants (2024), also written as Ann Claire, which transports readers to the sunny, vineyard-filled roads of Southern France.

The Santa Fe Café Mysteries (Written as Ann Myers)

Writing under her own name, Ann Myers crafted the beloved Santa Fe Café Mysteries. Set against the vibrant, warm backdrop of New Mexico, the series stars Rita Lafitte, a hardworking chef at the Tres Amigas Café. Rita has a knack for getting mixed up in local homicide investigations, much to the chagrin of the local police. The series is highly celebrated for its rich portrayal of Southwestern culture, quirky local characters (like Flori, the energetic octogenarian snoop), and the inclusion of genuine, mouthwatering recipes at the end of each book.

Publication and Chronological Order

For the Santa Fe Café Mysteries, the publication order matches the internal chronological timeline. We recommend reading them in order to watch Rita’s relationships and culinary career progress naturally:

1. Bread of the Dead (2015) – Rita is caught up in a murder mystery during a Day of the Dead bread-baking competition when her landlord is found dead.
2. Cinco de Mayhem (2016) – Rita tries to clear a friend's name after a shocking murder at a local food cart festival.
3. Feliz Navidead (2016) – Holiday cheer turns to suspense when a festive Christmas play ends in tragedy.

The Bookmobile Mysteries (Written as Nora Page)

Using the pen name Nora Page, Myers shifts the setting to the cozy, humid climate of Georgia. The Bookmobile Mysteries star Cleo Watkins, a sharp-witted, seventy-something librarian who runs a bookmobile. Accompanied by her companion dog, Cleo is dedicated to delivering books to her community—and delivering justice when local crimes disrupt their quiet lives. This series is praised for its warm representation of mature protagonists and the tight-knit community dynamics of the American South.

Publication and Chronological Order

The Bookmobile Mysteries are best enjoyed in order to fully appreciate Cleo’s personal journey and her connections with local residents:

1. Better Off Read (2018) – Cleo must save her beloved bookmobile from budget cuts while clearing her name in a local murder.
2. Read on Arrival (2019) – A historic restoration project becomes a crime scene, forcing Cleo to dig into local secrets.
3. Read or Alive (2020) – Cleo investigates a cold case that heats up when a new body is discovered in town.

The Christie Bookshop Mysteries (Written as Ann Claire)

Writing as Ann Claire, the author introduced the Christie Bookshop Mysteries. This series is a love letter to bookstore owners, bibliophiles, and classic detective fiction. The stories follow sisters Ellie and Meg Christie, who run the "Book Chalet" bookstore in the fictional, scenic mountain town of Last Word, Colorado. Although the sisters are not related to Agatha Christie, they are passionate fans of her mysteries and apply her classic detective principles to solve real-life crimes in their community.

Publication and Chronological Order

To follow the developing relationships in Last Word, read this series in order:

1. Dead and Gondola (2022) – A mysterious traveler visits the bookshop, only to turn up dead on a local ski lift during a town-isolating rockslide.
2. Last Word to the Wise (2023) – The sisters investigate a suspicious death linked to a local historical puzzle and a long-hidden treasure.

A Cyclist's Guide Mysteries (Written as Ann Claire)

Also written under her Ann Claire pseudonym, the Cyclist’s Guide series offers a scenic getaway to Southern France. The books follow Sadie Greene, an American expat who operates "Oui Cycle," a bicycle tour company. This series blends stunning travel descriptions, French cuisine, and lighthearted mystery puzzles.

Publication and Chronological Order

Follow Sadie's adventures through the French countryside in order:

1. A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants (2024) – Sadie’s tour takes a detour into danger when a wealthy client is murdered.
2. A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines (2025) – A wine-tasting tour turns sour when a prominent local winemaker is found dead.
3. A Cyclist's Guide to Poppies & Predicaments (2026) – Sadie faces a new mystery among the vibrant summer fields of France.

What to Know Before You Start

Ann Myers' books are traditional cozy mysteries. This means they emphasize atmosphere, community, and puzzle-solving rather than graphic violence. Here are a few practical tips to enhance your reading experience:

• Standalones vs. Continuity: Each novel contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page. However, the recurring characters' lives, careers, and romantic relationships develop across the books. It is highly recommended to read each individual series in order.
• Baking and Cooking: If you read the Santa Fe Café Mysteries, keep a notepad handy! The recipes featured in the back of the books, like spicy guacamole and traditional pan de muerto, are highly rated by fans who love to cook alongside their reading.
• Pseudonym Crossover: While the three pen names (Ann Myers, Nora Page, and Ann Claire) write in distinct settings, they share the same warm, character-driven storytelling style. Fans of one series will easily find themselves at home in the others.