Anna Celeste Burke Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Anna Celeste Burke

For readers new to Anna Celeste Burke's "blue skies mysteries," the best entry point depends on the subgenre and tone you prefer. Her stories are famous for blending puzzle-like cozy detective work with romance, humor, coastal settings, and plenty of delicious food references. There are two primary starting paths recommended for new readers:

• The Palm Springs Sleuth Path: Start with A Dead Husband (2013), the first book in the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series. This is Burke's signature series, following a wealthy, independent lawyer who relocates to the Coachella Valley and finds herself solving murders alongside a quirky group of friends known as the Cat Pack.
• The Theme Park & Cat Lover's Path: Start with Murder at Catmmando Mountain (2016), the opening book of the Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery series. This series offers a fun, fast-paced setting inside "Marvelous Marley World" (a Disney-inspired entertainment empire) and features a Siamese cat sidekick and recipes at the end of each book.

Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mysteries

This is Burke's longest-running and most popular series. It takes place against the backdrop of the sunny Southern California desert, primarily Palm Springs. While each book centers on a self-contained murder mystery, the romantic tensions and friendships of the main character, Jessica Huntington, build from one book to the next.

A notable chronological caveat is the novella Love, A Foot Above the Ground. Released in 2014, this prequel is set in the 1960s and 1980s. It details the backstory of Bernadette, Jessica's loyal sidekick and mentor. While you can read it first chronologically, it is best enjoyed after Book 2 (A Dead Sister) or Book 3 to fully appreciate Bernadette's character development.

Publication Order of Jessica Huntington Books

1. A Dead Husband (2013)
2. A Dead Sister (2014)
3. Love, A Foot Above the Ground (2014) (Prequel Novella #0.5 / #2.5)
4. A Dead Daughter (2015)
5. A Dead Mother (2017)
6. A Dead Cousin (2018)
7. A Dead Nephew (2020)
8. A Dead Surgeon (2021)

Georgie Shaw Cozy Mysteries

Set in Orange County, California, this series follows Georgie Shaw, a public relations director for a massive entertainment brand. Alongside Detective Jack Wheeler and her intelligent Siamese cats, Georgie untangles corporate secrets and murder mysteries. Recipes are a staple of this series, reflecting the author's background training as a chef at Walt Disney World.

Publication Order of Georgie Shaw Books

1. Murder at Catmmando Mountain (2016)
2. Love Notes in the Key of Sea (2016)
3. All Hallows' Eve Heist (2016)
4. A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery (2016)
5. Murder at Sea of Passenger X (2017)
6. Murder of the Maestro (2018)
7. A Tango Before Dying (2019)
8. A Canary in the Canal (2020)
9. A Merry Christmas Anniversary Mystery (2020)

Corsario Cove Cozy Mysteries

This series moves the action to California's rugged Central Coast. The mysteries follow newlyweds Kim and Brien as they navigate life, romance, and unexpected crimes. The books should be read in publication order to appreciate the progression of the couple's relationship.

Publication Order of Corsario Cove Books

1. Cowabunga Christmas (2015)
2. Gnarly New Year (2016)
3. Heinous Habits (2017)
4. Radical Regatta! (2019)
5. Bogus Bones (2021)

Seaview Cottages Cozy Mysteries

The Seaview Cottages series delivers coastal whodunits set in a beachside resort community. The titles pay homage to classic literary figures, adding a bookish charm to the investigations.

Publication Order of Seaview Cottages Books

1. A Body on Fitzgerald’s Bluff (2018)
2. The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost (2019)
3. Grave Expectations on Dickens' Dune (2019)
4. A Fairway to Arms in Hemingway Hills (2021)

Calla Lily Mystery Books

Set in California's scenic wine country, this series follows Lily as she returns home to run a vineyard, only to find herself investigating crimes among the vines. It offers a rich atmosphere filled with viticulture details and second-chance romance.

Publication Order of Calla Lily Mystery Books

1. Lily's Homecoming Under Fire (2019)
2. A Tangle in the Vines (2019)
3. Fall's Killer Vintage (2019)
4. The Vintner's Other Daughter (2023)

Witches Academy Paranormal Romance Series

The Witches Academy books represent a collaborative multi-author series set in a magical academy in New Orleans. Each book is written by a different author and focuses on a different witch graduating from the academy. Anna Celeste Burke contributed Book 5, Kitchen Magic, which features Muriel Bright, a witch who is also a famous TV chef. While the books are part of a shared universe, they can be read independently.

Publication Order of Witches Academy Books

1. A New Order (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
2. Passionate Vision (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
3. Seer of Evil (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
4. Secret Royalty (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
5. Kitchen Magic (2020) (by Anna Celeste Burke)
6. Endangered Spells (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
7. Wickless (2020) (by Natalie Ann)
8. Enchantress (2020) (by Natalie Ann)

Practical Reading Advice for Fans

Anna Celeste Burke's books are designed to be lighthearted and comforting escapes, often referred to as "blue skies mysteries." Here are some essential tips for starting your reading journey:

• Standalone vs. Series: The individual mystery plots in each novel are self-contained and resolved by the end of the book. However, character relationships, marriages, and personal backgrounds evolve chronologically. For the best experience, read each individual subseries in its published order.
• Crossovers: While Burke's cozy mystery series share a common lighthearted tone and sunny California locations, they do not feature major overlapping characters or crossovers. You can read the Jessica Huntington books without needing to know the events of the Georgie Shaw or Corsario Cove series.
• Bonus Content: Many of her books—especially the Georgie Shaw series—include recipes for dishes mentioned in the stories. If you enjoy culinary cozies, keep a notepad handy while reading!