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author Reading Order

Carol J. Perry Books in Order

24 Books
4 Series & collections
1988 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

Where to Begin: Your Recommended Starting Points

Carol J. Perry has created two main cozy mystery universes, each with its own unique regional flavor, paranormal elements, and lovable animal sidekicks. Depending on what style of cozy mystery you prefer, you should start with one of these two entry points:

  • For Salem Witchcraft, TV Studio Drama, and Cat Lovers: Begin with Caught Dead Handed (2014), the first book in the flagship Witch City Mystery series. This introduces reporter Lee Barrett, her tech-savvy Aunt Ibby, and O'Ryan, the clairvoyant cat.
  • For Sunny Florida Vibes, Historic Inns, and Dog Lovers: Begin with Be My Ghost (2021), the debut of the Haunted Haven Mystery series, featuring Maureen Doherty, a haunted inn on the Gulf Coast, and Finn, a friendly Golden Retriever.

1. The Witch City Mystery Series

This is Carol J. Perry’s longest-running and most popular series. Set in her actual birthplace of Salem, Massachusetts, the books follow Lee Barrett, a widow who returns home and finds a job as a program director—and temporary psychic talk show host—at WICH-TV. Along the way, she discovers her own latent psychic abilities, which are triggered when she looks into shiny surfaces. Lee is aided in her investigations by her aunt, Ibby Russell, and O'Ryan, a beautiful, clairvoyant cat who originally belonged to a murdered friend.

Because the characters age, build relationships, change jobs, marry, and eventually prepare for a family, it is highly recommended to read this series in strict publication order. Reading them out of order will spoil major romantic and personal developments between Lee and local detective Pete Mondello.

  1. Caught Dead Handed (2014)
  2. Tails, You Lose (2015)
  3. Look Both Ways (2015)
  4. Murder Go Round (2017)
  5. Grave Errors (2017)
  6. It Takes a Coven (2018)
  7. Bells, Spells, and Murders (2018)
  8. Final Exam (2019)
  9. Late Checkout (2019)
  10. Murder, Take Two (2020)
  11. See Something (2021)
  12. 'Til Death (2022)
  13. Now You See It (2023)
  14. Death Scene (2024)
  15. Sugar and Spite (2025)

Witch City Novellas and Tie-ins

If you want to read every bit of Salem lore, don't miss Perry's holiday-themed novella, which fits perfectly into the main series timeline:

  • "A Triple Layer Halloween Murder" – Published in the Halloween Cupcake Murder anthology (2023) alongside novellas by Carlene O'Connor and Liz Ireland. This story features Lee Barrett investigating the disappearance of a wealthy bakery owner. It is best read after book 13, Now You See It.

2. The Spin-Off: Wicked Salem Mysteries

In 2026, Carol J. Perry launched a brand-new spin-off series called the Wicked Salem Mysteries. Rather than following Lee Barrett, this series shifts the spotlight to Lee's beloved, tech-savvy Aunt Ibby Russell.

In the debut novel, Aunt Ibby—along with her friends and the ever-helpful cat O'Ryan—finds herself investigating a mystery inspired by their weekly watch parties of the television show Midsomer Murders. Together, they form a sleuthing trio called "34T" to solve a local crime in the Salem Woods.

Reading Order Caveat: Because the spin-off takes place after the events of the main Witch City series, it features major spoilers regarding Lee’s personal life, her marriage to Detective Pete Mondello, and shifts in Salem's local dynamics. It is best enjoyed after reading at least through book 15, Sugar and Spite.

  1. It's About Time (2026)

3. The Haunted Haven Mystery Series

For readers who want to trade snowy New England winters for the warm Gulf Coast of Florida, the Haunted Haven Mystery series is a delightful, self-contained alternative. The series follows Maureen Doherty, who moves to a fictional town in Florida to take over the Haven House Inn. She quickly discovers the historic building is haunted by the friendly ghosts of its former residents. Maureen must run the inn, navigate the local spirits, and solve murders with the help of Finn, a charming Golden Retriever.

While set in the same general universe, this series has no major crossovers with the Witch City books, meaning you can read it entirely on its own.

  1. Be My Ghost (2021)
  2. High Spirits (2022)
  3. Haunting License (2024)
  4. The Spirit Moves (2025)
  5. Double Knot Untied (scheduled for late 2026)

4. Standalone YA Novels and Early Anthologies

Long before she became a household name in cozy mysteries, Carol J. Perry wrote advertising copy, travel articles, and several young adult novels in the late 1980s and 1990s. These books do not feature any supernatural elements or recurring characters, and they can be read in any order:

  • Sand Castle Summer (1988)
  • 13 And Loving It (1989)
  • Make-Believe Love (1989)
  • Going Overboard (1991)
  • One Sister Too Many! (1998)
  • Seasmoke: Crime Stories by New England Writers (2006) – An early crime fiction anthology featuring a short story by Perry, published by Level Best Books.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Witch City Mystery books out of order?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. The overarching story arcs—specifically Lee's developing psychic talents, her career changes, and her relationship with Detective Pete Mondello—progress significantly from book to book.

QDo I need to read the Witch City series before starting Haunted Haven?

No. The Haunted Haven Mysteries feature an entirely different cast of characters, a new setting (Florida rather than Salem), and a different supernatural premise. You can start reading Be My Ghost without any prior knowledge of the Salem books.

QWhere does the Wicked Salem spin-off series fit in?

The spin-off series, starting with It's About Time (2026), centers on Lee's Aunt Ibby Russell. Because it takes place after the main events of the primary series and references characters' current statuses (such as Lee's marriage), it is best read after finishing Sugar and Spite (Book 15 of Witch City).

QWho is the clairvoyant cat O'Ryan?

O'Ryan is a main character in the Witch City Mysteries. Originally belonging to Lee's late friend, he possesses the ability to see spirits and frequently helps Lee find clues. In the spin-off series Wicked Salem Mysteries, he assists Aunt Ibby in her investigations.

QAre Carol J. Perry's early novels cozy mysteries?

No. Perry's books published in the late 1980s and 1990s (like Sand Castle Summer) are contemporary Young Adult (YA) novels rather than paranormal cozy mysteries.