Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start
If you are new to Barbara Early's cozy mystery worlds, you have two primary pathways to choose from depending on your thematic preferences. Each series features a distinct setting, an engaging female protagonist, and a unique business backdrop.
Option 1: The Vintage Toyshop Mysteries (Start Here for Nostalgia)
For readers who love childhood nostalgia, small-town community vibes, and intricate puzzles, start with Death of a Toy Soldier. This series, written under the author's real name, is set in East Aurora, New York, and follows Liz McCall as she runs her father's vintage toy shop while solving local crimes.
Option 2: The Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries (Start Here for Floral Fun)
If you prefer wedding drama, floral arrangements, and cozy boutique settings, begin with Bloom and Doom. Written under the pen name Beverly Allen, this series takes place in Virginia and follows florist Audrey Bloom as she tackles floral designs and murder investigations.
Vintage Toyshop Mystery Books in Publication Order
The Vintage Toyshop Mystery series is best read in order of publication to follow the evolution of Liz McCall's relationships, the growth of the toyshop, and recurring small-town characters.
- Death of a Toy Soldier (2016) - Liz McCall returns home to help her father with his vintage toy shop, only to find a body in the store's play area.
- Murder on the Toy Town Express (2017) - A local train show becomes the setting for murder when a rare model train collector is killed.
- Death of a Russian Doll (2018) - Liz investigates family secrets and competitive toy collectors after a body is found near a set of nesting dolls.
Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries in Publication Order (as Beverly Allen)
Written under the pen name Beverly Allen, these floral cozies should be read in chronological order to follow Audrey Bloom's personal and professional journeys.
- Bloom and Doom (2014) - Florist Audrey Bloom must clear her name when a bride's relative is found dead with a bouquet handle in his chest.
- For Whom the Bluebell Tolls (2015) - Audrey's floral arrangements at a historic estate end in mystery when a local historian is murdered.
- Floral Depravity (2015) - Audrey deals with high-stakes wedding planning and a suspicious death linked to a local museum curator.
Contributions to the Murder, She Wrote Series
In 2025, Barbara Early joined the roster of talented writers co-authoring books in the long-running Murder, She Wrote franchise alongside Jessica Fletcher. Her contributions include:
- Snowy with a Chance of Murder (2025) - Book 65 in the series. A leg-injured Jessica Fletcher is stuck indoors during a Cabot Cove blizzard and must solve a murder involving a neighbor who creates scandalous snow sculptures.
Standalone Novellas and Puppet Script Collections
Beyond her major cozy mystery series, Barbara Early has written standalone stories and children's ministry puppet scripts that reflect her diverse talents as a puppeteer and educator.
- Gold, Frankincense, and Murder (2011) - Early's debut release. A contemporary Christian holiday mystery novella set in Western New York, following geometry teacher Donna Russell as she searches for a missing co-worker.
- Parable Theater I: Puppet Scripts for Children's Church (2015) - A collection of nine humorous puppet script adaptations of Jesus's parables.
- Fun and Prophet!: Puppet Scripts for Children's Church (2015) - A collection of ministry scripts framed around a game show theme.
What to Know Before You Start
Barbara Early's personal history shines through her books. As a former electrical engineer, she structures her mystery plots with mathematical logic, ensuring every clue fits perfectly. Having lived in Buffalo and Western New York, she paints vivid, cozy, and snowy backdrops that feel like characters themselves. While the core mysteries of each book are fully wrapped up by the final chapter, reading both the toyshop and floral shop series in order is highly recommended to appreciate the romance, friendships, and community growth over time.