Caroline Fardig Books in Order

Recommended Caroline Fardig Reading Order

If you are looking to dive into the mysteries of Caroline Fardig, you have a wealth of options ranging from lighthearted cozy stories with romantic tension to gritty, forensic-driven procedurals. Because each of Fardig's series takes place in its own distinct universe with unique protagonists, there is no overarching order connecting them. You can pick up any series that catches your eye first.

However, within each series, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order. Fardig builds her characters' personal lives, careers, and romantic relationships progressively across each installment. Reading them out of order will spoil major relationship dynamics and character arcs.

Choosing Your Perfect Entry Point

Your ideal starting point depends entirely on what subgenre of mystery you prefer:

• For a classic cozy mystery with humor and romance: Start with the Lizzie Hart Mysteries. Set in the quirky town of Liberty, Indiana, it follows a sassy office worker who has a knack for finding bodies and gossip.
• For a coffee-themed Nashville adventure: Start with the Java Jive Mysteries. Featuring Juliet Langley, a coffeehouse manager who transitions into a private eye, this series is fast-paced, witty, and perfect for coffee enthusiasts.
• For a CSI-style forensic thriller: Start with the Ellie Matthews Series. This series represents a departure from Fardig's cozy roots, offering a grittier, suspenseful look at the life and cases of a professional criminalist.
• For Southern charm and sisterly dynamics: Start with the Southern B&B Mysteries. Set in Savannah, Georgia, this trilogy follows two sisters managing a historic bed and breakfast while clearing their family name of murder.

The Lizzie Hart Mysteries

Lizzie Hart is a gossip-loving, sassy protagonist who constantly finds herself in the middle of murder investigations in the small town of Liberty, Indiana. The series blends light romance, dark humor, and classic amateur sleuthing. Bad Medicine, the third book in the series, was notably selected by Suspense Magazine as one of the Best Books of 2015.

1. It's Just a Little Crush (2013): Lizzie becomes the prime suspect when her obnoxious boss is murdered, forcing her to find the real killer alongside her handsome coworker, Blake Morgan.
2. That Old Black Magic (2014): When Lizzie investigates a death linked to a local occult shop, she gets pulled into Liberty's deepest secrets.
3. Bad Medicine (2015): A doctor is killed at a local clinic, leading Lizzie on a chase that puts her own life at risk.
4. My Funny Valentine (2016): A Valentine's Day setting brings holiday-themed chaos and fresh crime for Lizzie to solve.
5. Wedding Bell Blues (2016): Lizzie struggles with wedding stress, local gossip, and a final mystery that tests her limits.

The Java Jive Mysteries

Juliet Langley is a Nashville coffeehouse manager who discovers she has a talent for private investigation. Packed with coffee shop humor and fast-paced plotting, this series details Juliet's growth from barista to full-time private investigator.

1. Death Before Decaf (2015): Juliet's life is turned upside down when a dead body is found in the coffee shop dumpster, introducing her to Detective Pete Vance.
2. Mug Shot (2016): Working her first official case as a private investigator, Juliet looks into a missing person case linked to Nashville's art scene.
3. A Whole Latte Murder (2016): Juliet's forensic skills are put to the test when a murder occurs close to her inner circle.
4. Brew or Die (2017): Competitive coffee shop rivalries turn deadly, forcing Juliet to investigate the local coffee industry.
5. Murder Over Mochas (2017): Juliet takes on a high-society Nashville case to catch a clever killer.

The Ellie Matthews Series

Described as "CSI meets How to Get Away with Murder," this series focuses on Ellie Matthews, a forensic scientist. It is grittier and more procedural than Fardig's cozy books. While our local database does not list the fifth book, Relative Harm, reliable public records show that it was published in late 2023, sitting between Parted by Death and Sins of the Father. The correct reading order is:

1. Bitter Past (2017): Ellie seeks a fresh start in a new town, only to be forced to use her forensic expertise when a local murder occurs.
2. An Eye for an Eye (2018): A series of copycat murders forces Ellie to confront elements of her past.
3. Dead Sprint (2021): Ellie investigates a fatal incident at a high school track event. (Note: Some catalogs list this as a late 2020 publication, though local databases confirm 2021.)
4. Parted by Death (2023): A high-profile case tests Ellie's professional relationships and forensic limits.
5. Relative Harm (2023): Ellie must investigate a murder when a body is found on the property of her partner, Detective Nick Baxter. (This book is omitted in some partial databases but is the true fifth installment.)
6. Sins of the Father (2024): Ellie faces her most complex and personal forensic mystery yet.

Southern B&B Mysteries

Following sisters Quinn and Delilah Bellandini, this Savannah-set trilogy combines the charm of the American South with cozy, sister-centric mystery solving.

1. Southern Discomfort (2018): The sisters inherit a Savannah bed and breakfast, only for their first guest to end up dead.
2. Southern Harm (2019): A local ghost tour company is targeted by a killer, dragging the sisters into the investigation.
3. Southern Double Cross (2020): The sisters find themselves framed for a high-society murder and must work together to clear their names.

Anthologies and Standalone Contributions

Caroline Fardig does not have any co-authored novels, but she did contribute to a multi-author mystery anthology:

• Year-Round Trouble (2020): A collaborative collection featuring fourteen cozy mystery stories. Fardig contributed a story featuring "Trouble," the black cat detective. This story is a standalone piece and can be read independently of her other series.

What to Know Before You Start

Before jumping in, readers should be aware of the stark difference in tone between Fardig's series. If you are in the mood for lighthearted, humorous cozy mysteries with minor suspense, stick to the Lizzie Hart, Java Jive, or Southern B&B books. If you prefer forensic investigations, autopsy details, and a grittier procedural feel, the Ellie Matthews series is the correct choice. There are no crossovers between the series, so you can read them in any order you choose.