Books On Board

Betty Hechtman Books in Order

  • 30 Books
  • 2006 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
4 of 4 reading orders shown

Where to Start with Betty Hechtman

For readers diving into Betty Hechtman’s cozy mystery universe, the best starting point depends on your personal crafting preferences. If you are a fan of crochet, you should begin with the Crochet Mysteries, starting with Hooked on Murder. If knitting and scenic coastal settings are more your style, the Yarn Retreat Mysteries, starting with Yarn to Go, is the perfect entry point. For those who prefer a mystery centered around professional writing and creative freelancing without the crafting focus, the Writer For Hire Mysteries, beginning with Murder Ink, offers a fantastic, modern alternative.

What to Know Before You Start

Betty Hechtman’s books are classic, lighthearted cozy mysteries. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind before you start reading:

  • Crafting Extras: The Crochet Mysteries and Yarn Retreat Mysteries almost always include actual crochet projects, patterns, and delicious dessert recipes at the back of the books.
  • Standalone vs. Chronological Reading: While each book features a self-contained mystery that is solved by the end of the novel, the relationships, romance subplots, and career arcs of the main characters evolve significantly over time. It is highly recommended to read each series in publication order to avoid spoilers regarding the protagonists' personal lives.
  • Settings: Her books capture beautiful, atmospheric California backdrops—ranging from the sunny, fictionalized Tarzana neighborhood in Southern California to the foggy, gorgeous Monterey Peninsula.

1. Crochet Mystery Series

This is Betty Hechtman’s longest-running and most famous series. It follows Molly Pink, a bookstore event coordinator in Tarzana, California, and her tight-knit weekly crochet group, the Tarzana Hookers. Molly repeatedly finds herself untangling real-life murder mysteries alongside her crafty friends. The series should be read in publication order:

  1. Hooked on Murder (2008)
  2. Dead Men Don't Crochet (2008)
  3. By Hook or by Crook (2009)
  4. A Stitch in Crime (2009)
  5. You Better Knot Die (2010)
  6. Behind the Seams (2011)
  7. If Hooks Could Kill (2012)
  8. For Better or Worsted (2013)
  9. Knot Guilty (2014)
  10. Seams Like Murder (2016)
  11. Hooking for Trouble (2016)
  12. On the Hook (2018)
  13. Hooks Can Be Deceiving (2018)
  14. One for the Hooks (2021)
  15. Killer Hooks (2023)
  16. Murder by the Hook (2025)

2. Yarn Retreat Mystery Series

This series stars dessert chef Casey Feldstein, who unexpectedly inherits her late aunt's yarn retreat business on the Monterey Peninsula. Despite not knowing how to knit when she starts, Casey learns to manage the retreat, bake delicious treats, and solve murders that occur during the events. Read them in this order:

  1. Yarn to Go (2013)
  2. Silence of the Lamb's Wool (2014)
  3. Wound Up in Murder (2015)
  4. Gone with the Wool (2016)
  5. A Tangled Yarn (2017)
  6. Inherit the Wool (2018)
  7. Knot on Your Life (2019)
  8. But Knot for Me (2021)
  9. Knot a Game (2022)
  10. Knot Dead Again (2024)

3. Writer For Hire Mysteries

Step away from the yarn store and join Veronica Blackstone, a professional writer for hire. Veronica takes on freelance assignments ranging from love letters to biographies, which frequently pull her into deadly situations. This series offers a slightly different tone from her crafting cozies but keeps the signature warmth and clever plotting. Read them in order:

  1. Murder Ink (2021)
  2. Writing a Wrong (2021)
  3. Making It Write (2022)
  4. Sentenced to Death (2023)

4. Standalones and New Spin-Offs

Beyond her main three series, Betty Hechtman has written other projects worth checking out:

  • Blue Schwartz and Nefertiti's Necklace: A Mystery with Recipes (2006) – This was Hechtman’s debut publication. It is a juvenile/young adult mystery following thirteen-year-old Blue Schwartz as she tries to clear her name after a valuable necklace goes missing from a house where she babysits. It was also reissued under the title Stolen Treasure.
  • Crochet and Crumpets Mystery Series: A brand-new series starting in 2025 with Death Among the Stitches, following Annie Hart, who inherits a yarn and tea shop in Franklin, Indiana, only to find the previous owner was murdered with her own yarn.

Frequently Asked

Which Betty Hechtman series should I read first?

If you love crochet, start with the Crochet Mystery Series (beginning with Hooked on Murder). If you prefer knitting, go with the Yarn Retreat Mystery Series (beginning with Yarn to Go).

Can Betty Hechtman's books be read out of order?

Yes, the individual mysteries are solved in each book, so you can read them as standalones. However, to avoid spoilers for character relationships and personal life changes, it is best to read them in publication order.

Are there real crochet patterns and recipes in the books?

Yes! The Crochet Mysteries include real crochet patterns and projects, and the Yarn Retreat Mysteries feature dessert recipes that are referenced in the story.

What is Betty Hechtman's debut novel?

Her debut novel is Blue Schwartz and Nefertiti's Necklace: A Mystery with Recipes, a juvenile mystery published in 2006 that was later reissued as Stolen Treasure.

Is the Crochet and Crumpets series related to the Crochet Mysteries?

No, the Crochet and Crumpets series (starting with Death Among the Stitches in 2025) is a brand-new series with different characters set in Indiana, whereas the Crochet Mysteries are set in California.