Where to Start with Avery Aames
If you are looking to plunge into the culinary mystery world of Avery Aames, the path is straightforward and highly satisfying. Avery Aames is the celebrated pen name of author Daryl Wood Gerber, used exclusively for her beloved A Cheese Shop Mystery series. Because this series features a continuous narrative arc detailing the personal growth, romantic developments, and business ventures of its protagonist, readers are strongly encouraged to read the books in their official publication order.
The journey begins in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio, at Fromagerie Bessette (affectionately known to locals as simply the Cheese Shop). The recommended reading path is to follow the chronological publication sequence, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning debut, The Long Quiche Goodbye. Reading in this order allows you to fully appreciate the evolving relationships between the shop's owner, Charlotte Bessette, her quirky family, her dedicated staff, and her handsome love interest, Jordan Pace.
A Cheese Shop Mystery Series in Reading Order
Here is the complete list of the seven core novels in the series, arranged in both publication and chronological storyline order:
- The Long Quiche Goodbye (2010): The series debut introduces Charlotte Bessette, who has returned to Providence, Ohio, to run Fromagerie Bessette with her cousin Matthew. When a local resident is found dead outside the shop with Charlotte's grandmother's antique knife, Charlotte must clear her family's name. This book won the prestigious Agatha Award for Best First Novel.
- Lost and Fondue (2011): Charlotte is busy preparing for a winery fundraiser. When a body is discovered in a wine cask and a young girl goes missing, Charlotte finds herself investigating the dark underbelly of the local wine and cheese scene.
- Clobbered by Camembert (2012): Winter brings tension to Providence as the town holds a festival. When a developer who planned to gentrify the town is found murdered, suspicion falls on Charlotte's grandfather. Charlotte must sift through cold clues to find the real killer.
- To Brie or Not to Brie (2013): The local amateur theater group is staging a production of Hamlet, directed by Charlotte's grandmother, who also happens to be the mayor. When the leading actor is murdered on stage, the spotlight turns to the cast and crew, forcing Charlotte to raise the curtain on a killer.
- Days of Wine and Roquefort (2014): Charlotte is planning a grand celebration for the shop's anniversary. However, when a body is discovered near the vineyard of her artisanal cheese supplier and romantic partner, Jordan Pace, the celebration is cut short by a complex web of jealousy and secrets.
- As Gouda as Dead (2015): As Halloween approaches, Providence is filled with spooky fun. The atmosphere turns genuinely terrifying when a customer is murdered, and Charlotte's assistant, Rebecca Zook, becomes a primary suspect. Charlotte must work quickly to slice through the deception.
- For Cheddar or Worse (2016): In the final installment of the series, Charlotte is preparing for her long-awaited wedding to Jordan Pace. When a prominent guest is found dead at the reception venue, Charlotte must solve one last cheesy mystery before she can walk down the aisle.
Anthologies and Collaborative Works
In addition to the seven main novels, Avery Aames has contributed to two significant anthologies that fans of the series and culinary cozies will enjoy:
- Writes of Passage (2014): Edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan, this award-winning anthology features essays and career advice from various members of the Sisters in Crime organization. Writing under her true name (Daryl Wood Gerber) and pen name (Avery Aames), she shares insights into her journey as a mystery writer. The collection won the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards for non-fiction.
- The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today's Bestselling Mystery Authors (2015): This cookbook is a must-have for cozy mystery fans. It features recipes, kitchen tips, and short anecdotes from several prominent authors in the genre. Avery Aames contributed several of her signature cheese-centric recipes alongside contributors like Laura Childs, Cleo Coyle, and Ellery Adams.
What to Know Before You Start
The A Cheese Shop Mystery series is a quintessential culinary cozy mystery. The stories are set in Providence, Ohio, a fictional, picturesque town populated by eccentric but lovable characters. The series is particularly noted for its authentic culinary details. Aames conducted extensive research in real cheese shops to accurately describe the flavors, textures, and pairings featured in the book.
Every novel in the series includes a selection of mouthwatering recipes at the end, allowing readers to recreate the cheese dishes, quiches, and fondues featured in the stories. While each mystery is resolved by the end of the book, the overarching character development—including Charlotte's romance with Jordan Pace, her cousin Matthew's role as a former sommelier helping run the shop, and assistant Rebecca Zook's transition from her Amish upbringing—spans the entire series. For this reason, skipping books is not recommended if you want to enjoy the full emotional depth of the characters' journeys.
Pseudonyms and Crossover Connections
Readers should know that Avery Aames is the pseudonym of Daryl Wood Gerber. Gerber chose to write under a pen name initially due to publisher preferences when launching the Cheese Shop series. Under her real name, Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of several other popular cozy mystery series, including the Cookbook Nook Mysteries (featuring Jenna Hart in California) and the French Bistro Mysteries. While the Cookbook Nook Mysteries and the Cheese Shop Mysteries do not feature direct character crossovers, they share the same warm, culinary-focused tone and engaging amateur sleuth dynamics. If you finish the seven books of the Cheese Shop series, transitioning to Daryl Wood Gerber's bibliography is the perfect next step.