Where to Start with Becky Clark
Becky Clark is a master of the modern cozy mystery, crafting stories that balance lighthearted humor, puzzling clues, and relatable protagonists. For readers new to her work, there are two primary entry points depending on your interests. The most popular starting point is the Mystery Writer's Mysteries, beginning with Fiction Can Be Murder. It introduces Charlee Russo, a mystery author whose life takes a chaotic turn when she has to solve real-life homicides. Alternatively, if you prefer community-driven cozies set in a charming town, you can dive straight into the Sugar Mill Marketplace Mysteries, beginning with the prequel novella Rat Race. Because these two series share a family connection, reading them in order offers a highly satisfying experience.
The Russo Family Universe Reading Order
One of the most delightful aspects of Becky Clark's catalog is the crossover between her main series. Charlemagne "Charlee" Russo is a mystery writer, and her mother, Dena Russo, is the protagonist of the first trilogy in the Sugar Mill Marketplace series. Reading these series in chronological order lets you follow the family's development and see how Dena's move to Colorado is set up.
Phase 1: The Mystery Writer's Mysteries
This series focuses on Charlee Russo. The books should be read in publication order to appreciate Charlee's developing career and relationships:
- Fiction Can Be Murder (2018): Charlee is accused of murder when her literary agent is found dead in the exact manner described in her unpublished manuscript.
- Foul Play on Words (2019): A chaotic writers' conference turns deadly, forcing Charlee to investigate a kidnapping and murder.
- Metaphor for Murder (2021): Charlee searches for a missing author colleague while dealing with a dognapped pug.
- Police Navidad (2021): A festive holiday mystery featuring a dead department store Santa and plenty of seasonal chaos.
Phase 2: The Bridge Novella
- Rat Race: A Sugar Mill Marketplace Prequel (2023): This novella acts as the literal bridge between the two series. Charlee visits her mother Dena in Santa Fe for a drama-filled Thanksgiving, which directly inspires Dena's decision to pack up, move to Sugar Springs, Colorado, and buy a used bookstore. It is highly recommended to read this before starting the main Marketplace series.
Phase 3: The Sugar Mill Marketplace Mysteries
Set in the fictional town of Sugar Springs, Colorado, this ambitious series is planned to consist of 15 books divided into five trilogies. Each trilogy focuses on a different business within the Sugar Mill Marketplace. The first trilogy follows Dena Russo and her used bookstore, Thrice Sold Tales. The subsequent trilogies are planned around other local shops, though only the first bookstore trilogy has been published as of 2026.
Trilogy 1: The Bookstore Trilogy (Thrice Sold Tales)
- Booked at the Sugar Mill Marketplace (2023)
- Plotted at the Sugar Mill Marketplace (2023)
- Bound at the Sugar Mill Marketplace (2023)
Planned Future Marketplace Trilogies
The author has laid out the structure for the remaining twelve books in the series. While the manuscript for the first book of the Bakery Trilogy (Beaten) was announced as in progress, they are not yet published. The planned lineups include:
- The Bakery Trilogy (Sugar Springs Bakery): Beaten, Frosted, and Burned
- The Photo Studio Trilogy (Step Into History): Exposed, Snapped, and Manipulated
- The Cheese Shop Trilogy (Really Grate Cheese): Cheesed, Grilled, and Smoked
- The Chocolate Shop Trilogy (Zoet Chocolate): Fudged, Sugarcoated, and Dropped
The Crossword Puzzle Mysteries
If you love wordplay, this standalone series is the perfect choice. It follows Quinn Carr, a diner waitress with OCD who secretly constructs crossword puzzles for the local newspaper. Quinn uses her puzzles to drop subliminal clues to the local chief of police, helping him solve crimes in their small town. These books should be read in order:
- Puzzling Ink (2020)
- Punning with Scissors (2021)
- Fatal Solutions (2021)
Co-Authored & Early Works: The Dunne Diehl Mysteries
Before launching her solo cozy mystery series, Becky Clark co-authored a duology with her college friend Ted Hardwick. The series is named after its main characters, Cassidy Dunne and Dan Diehl, two fifty-something best friends who own a newspaper. These books feature a slightly different tone and are currently available primarily as independent online titles:
- Banana Bamboozle (2013)
- Marshmallow Mayhem (2015)
Non-Fiction and Anthologies
In addition to her fiction, Becky Clark has published several non-fiction books covering lifestyle, writing advice, and reading resources, as well as contributing to short story collections:
- How To Lose Weight and Get Healthy Even If You're Lazy (2010)
- Reading Maniac: Fun Ways To Encourage Reading Success (2011)
- Lazy Low Cal Lifestyle cookbooks (2011)
- Whoever Reads the Most Books Wins: A Journal for Readers (2016)
- Eight Weeks to a Complete Novel: Write Faster, Write Better, Be More Organized (2020)
- Malice, Matrimony, & Murder (2023): An anthology featuring cozy mystery stories.
What to Know Before You Start
Becky Clark's books are designed as comfort reads—warm, engaging, and filled with humorous dialogue. While the mysteries in each book are resolved by the final page, the character relationships, especially the banter between Charlee Russo and her mother, evolve across the books. For the best experience, stick to the publication order within each series. If you're a crossword puzzle fan reading the Quinn Carr series, the author's official website offers printable versions and solutions to the real puzzles featured within the text of the novels, adding an interactive layer to your reading journey.