The Recommended Reading Order for Bethany Blake
If you are looking to dive into the cozy, pet-filled worlds created by Bethany Blake, your path is straightforward. She has written two main series, both of which are best read in their publication order. Because characters grow, relationships shift, and recurring small-town dynamics build from one book to the next, following the order of release will give you the most satisfying reading experience.
For the primary Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series, you should start at the beginning with Death by Chocolate Lab. For her standalone art-centric mystery series, the Owl & Crescent Mysteries, you can pick up the single published volume, A Brushstroke with Death, at any time as it operates in a separate setting with a different cast of characters.
Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series in Publication Order
Set in the charming, lakeside village of Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania, this cozy series follows Daphne Templeton, a determined pet-sitter who has a knack for finding herself in the middle of murder investigations. Alongside her is Socrates, a wise and soulful basset hound who regularly steals the spotlight. To follow the narrative continuity and the development of Daphne's life, family, and romance, read them in this order:
- Death by Chocolate Lab (2017) – The book that starts it all. Daphne Templeton is trying to run her pet-sitting business when her sister Piper's ex-boyfriend is found dead. Suspected of the crime, Piper needs Daphne's help to clear her name. Daphne, aided by the neighborhood's quirky pets and her basset hound Socrates, must sniff out the real killer.
- Dial Meow for Murder (2017) – In this second installment, Daphne takes on a pet-sitting job at a reputedly haunted local mansion. When a wealthy developer is found dead, Daphne must untangle a web of old family secrets, local gossip, and feline-assisted clues to solve the mystery.
- Pawprints & Predicaments (2018) – The Sylvan Creek community gathers for a festive polar bear plunge. The icy event turns deadly when a body is discovered in the freezing lake. Daphne is drawn into the case, dealing with local eccentricities, winter hazards, and pet-sitting duties.
- A Midwinter's Tail (2018) – A cozy Christmas-themed mystery. Sylvan Creek is decorated for the holidays, but the festive cheer is threatened when a local toy maker is found murdered. Daphne must balance holiday pet-sitting, family gatherings, and track down a killer before Christmas is ruined.
- Something Borrowed, Something Mewed (2019) – Piper's wedding is finally here, but the chaotic preparations are halted when the wedding planner is murdered. Daphne has to keep the wedding on track while investigating the crime to ensure her sister's big day isn't completely ruined by a killer.
- Of Mutts and Murder (2020) – The sixth book centers around the town's annual "Chili for Dogs" charity cook-off over Memorial Day weekend. Daphne's father, Ben, arrives in Sylvan Creek with his food truck and his dog, only for his business partner to turn up dead from poisoned chili. Daphne must investigate to clear her father's name.
Owl & Crescent Mystery Series
In addition to her pet-sitting mysteries, Blake launched a second series featuring a fresh protagonist and a slightly different tone. This series centers around Willow Bellamy, an art teacher in Pennsylvania who possesses a unique perspective on solving crimes.
- A Brushstroke with Death (2019) – Willow Bellamy returns to her hometown to teach art at a local academy. When a prominent member of the community is found dead, Willow uses her artistic eye and intuition to analyze the crime scene and help solve the case. This remains the only book published in the Owl & Crescent line.
What to Know Before You Start
Behind the name Bethany Blake is Beth Fantaskey, a well-regarded author known for young adult novels such as Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter. Writing as Bethany Blake, Fantaskey shifts her focus to the cozy mystery genre, drawing on her own experiences running a pet-sitting business and living in rural Pennsylvania.
Readers should expect a lighthearted, community-driven atmosphere with plenty of humor and quirky animal behaviors. A unique feature of the Lucky Paws books is the inclusion of homemade pet-treat recipes at the end of each volume, matching the warm, domestic themes of the stories. The mysteries are engaging but avoid graphic violence, making them perfect for fans of clean, animal-centric cozy sleuths.