Bailey Cates Books in Order

Where to Start with Bailey Cates

If you are new to the world of Bailey Cates, the absolute best place to start is with Brownies and Broomsticks, the debut novel of her incredibly popular Magical Bakery Mysteries. This series represents the core of her writing style, blending light paranormal elements, a charming southern setting in Savannah, and mouthwatering recipes. Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended, as the overarching character relationships, magical learning curve, and personal growth of the protagonist develop sequentially from book to book.

For readers who prefer botanical magic over baking, starting with the Enchanted Garden Mysteries (written under the pen name Bailey Cattrell) via Daisies for Innocence is a wonderful alternative. If you prefer traditional, non-magical cozy mysteries focused on home crafts, you can begin with Lye in Wait, the first book in her Home Crafting Mysteries written under the name Cricket McRae.

Magical Bakery Mystery Series Reading Order

The Magical Bakery Mysteries follow Katie Lightfoot, a hedgewitch who moves to Savannah, Georgia, to help her aunt and uncle run the Honeybee Bakery. Along with baking delicious, spell-infused treats, Katie finds herself joining a coven, solving local murders, and navigating romance. To fully enjoy the character arcs and the progression of Katie's witchcraft, you should read these in order of publication:

1. Brownies and Broomsticks (2012) - Katie Lightfoot moves to Savannah, helps open the Honeybee Bakery, and discovers she is a witch while clearing her uncle of murder.
2. Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti (2012) - Katie joins a coven, learns about her magical heritage, and investigates the murder of a developer.
3. Charms and Chocolate Chips (2013) - A local firefighter is suspected of murdering an antiquities dealer, and Katie must clear his name.
4. Some Enchanted Éclair (2014) - A movie production crew arrives in Savannah, bringing Hollywood glamour and a mysterious murder.
5. Magic and Macaroons (2015) - Katie travels to the Georgia countryside to help a friend, only to encounter a mystery involving a missing person and a local legend.
6. Spells and Scones (2016) - Uncle Ben's old friend is murdered at an archaeological dig, prompting Katie to investigate the historical secrets of Savannah.
7. Potions and Pastries (2017) - When a regular customer is found dead, Katie's investigation leads her deep into Savannah's underground magic scene.
8. Cookies and Clairvoyance (2019) - A spellbook club meeting takes a dark turn when a member's house is burglarized and a body is discovered.
9. Witches and Wedding Cake (2020) - As Katie prepares for her wedding, she must solve the murder of a culinary rival to save her big day.
10. Spirits and Sourdough (2021) - The Honeybee Bakery holds a grand reopening, but the celebrations are cut short by a mysterious death in a nearby historic home.
11. Rituals and Rolling Pins (Forthcoming: November 10, 2026) - When druid Steve Dawes is found standing over the body of a true-crime podcaster, Katie and her spellbook club must investigate a crime involving magical rituals.

Enchanted Garden Mystery Series (Writing as Bailey Cattrell)

Written under the pseudonym Bailey Cattrell, this completed three-book cozy mystery series shifts the focus from Savannah's kitchens to a custom perfume shop in Cypress Cove, California. The protagonist, Elliana Allbright, has a unique gift for combining fragrances with a touch of earth magic. While it shares the author's signature blend of mystery and subtle magic, it has a distinct coastal California atmosphere. Read them in the following order:

1. Daisies for Innocence (2016) - Elliana Allbright returns to Cypress Cove to open her perfume shop and design an enchanted garden, but she is soon forced to investigate the murder of a local businessman.
2. Nightshade for Warning (2017) - A local festival is disrupted when a prominent resident is found dead in Elliana's garden, putting her aromatic blends under suspicion.
3. Marigolds for Malice (2018) - The grand opening of a garden-themed spa goes awry when a murder takes place, forcing Elliana to follow the scent of a killer.

Home Crafting Mystery Series (Writing as Cricket McRae)

Before launching her magical mysteries, the author wrote the Home Crafting Mysteries under the pen name Cricket McRae. This series is set in Cokedale, Colorado, and features Sophie Mae Reynolds, an expert soap maker and amateur sleuth. Unlike her later series, this one does not contain paranormal elements, focusing instead on traditional cozy mystery tropes, community relationships, and detailed crafting lore. It should be read in publication order:

1. Lye in Wait (2007) - Soapmaker Sophie Mae Reynolds finds her domestic life shattered when she discovers her landlord dead in her workshop.
2. Heaven Preserve Us (2008) - Sophie Mae assists a friend with preserve-making, only to find a body in the local church pantry.
3. Spin a Wicked Web (2009) - When a fiber artist is murdered, Sophie Mae must untangle the threads of a complex family feud.
4. Something Borrowed, Something Bleu (2010) - Sophie Mae travels to Sonoma Valley for a wedding, but the festivities are ruined by the murder of a cheesemaker.
5. Wined and Died (2011) - Sophie Mae investigates a suspicious death at a local vineyard.
6. Deadly Row to Hoe (2012) - Also published as A Deadly Row to Hoe, this final installment sees Sophie Mae solving a murder related to community farming.

Standalone Western Mystery (Writing as K.C. McRae)

For readers looking for a major departure from cozy mysteries, the author published the standalone Western mystery Shotgun Moon in 2013 under the name K.C. McRae (and occasionally credited as Cricket McRae). Set in Hazel, Montana, this book offers a much grittier, darker tone than her cozy series, following an ex-convict named Merry McCoy who must investigate a murder to clear her cousin's name. It is recommended for fans of rustic noir and rural crime thrillers.

What to Know Before You Start

One of the most appealing aspects of Cates's novels is the inclusion of practical materials at the back of her books. The Magical Bakery Mysteries regularly include recipes for the delicious treats mentioned in the stories, such as cookies, scones, and cakes. Similarly, the Enchanted Garden Mysteries feature recipes and instructions for homemade essential oil blends and aromatherapies. These additions make the reading experience immersive and interactive.

Furthermore, because the author writes under several distinct pen names, it is easy to assume the universes crossover, but they do not. Each series stands alone in its own distinct setting and logic. Whether you want to explore Savannah's witchy secrets, California's fragrant gardens, or Colorado's crafting communities, there is a distinct and satisfying starting point waiting for you.