Casey Daniels Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Casey Daniels

Constance Laux is a master of the cozy mystery and historical romance worlds, but you probably know her best under her most famous pen names: Casey Daniels, Kylie Logan, and Anastasia Hastings. With over 65 novels spanning paranormal sleuthing, culinary crimes, and historical whodunits, deciding where to begin can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, her series are organized neatly by theme, making it easy to choose your own path based on your favorite mystery subgenres.

We highly recommend starting with the author's signature series: the Pepper Martin Mysteries (written as Casey Daniels). The series begins with Don of the Dead, introducing readers to a former socialite turned cemetery tour guide who can speak to the dead. It is the perfect entry point, showcasing the author's trademark blend of sassy humor, Cleveland settings, and light paranormal investigation.

If you prefer a more traditional, contemporary cozy mystery with a strong animal connection, start with the Jazz Ramsey Mysteries (written as Kylie Logan), beginning with The Scent of Murder. For fans of historical fiction, the Victorian-era Dear Miss Hermione Books (written as Anastasia Hastings) offer an excellent historical starting point with Of Manners and Murder.

Casey Daniels: The Pepper Martin Reading Order

The Pepper Martin series is best read in strict publication order. Because Pepper’s personal life, career at the cemetery, and relationship with local detective Quinn and various ghostly companions evolve significantly over time, skipping around will spoil key character growth. Here is the recommended reading order:

• Don of the Dead (2006) – Pepper Martin hits her head on a headstone and receives her first case from a ghostly mob boss.
• The Chick and the Dead (2007) – Pepper investigates a cold case involving a famous author’s long-dead sister.
• Tombs of Endearment (2007) – A legendary rock star's spirit enlists Pepper to solve a decades-old mystery.
• Night of the Loving Dead (2008) – A ghostly double murder from the 1970s pulls Pepper into the world of disco and dirty deals.
• Dead Man Talking (2009) – Pepper deals with a ghostly pool shark and family secrets.
• Tomb with a View (2010) – A trip to a historic Ohio lighthouse reveals a spirit with an urgent warning.
• A Hard Day's Fright (2011) – Pepper must untangle a mystery surrounding a dead 1960s British Invasion musician.
• Wild Wild Death (2012) – A Wild West show ghost brings historical trouble to Cleveland.
• Supernatural Born Killers (2012) – Pepper faces her most personal case yet involving a ghost who might not be who they claim.
• Graveyard Shift (2017) – The final entry, where Pepper manages a cemetery shift that turns deadly.

Kylie Logan: The Cozy Mystery Collections

Under the pen name Kylie Logan, the author has created several highly successful cozy mystery series. Each series has a distinct hook, ranging from cadaver dogs to literary clubs and delicious foods.

Jazz Ramsey Mysteries

Set in Cleveland, this series follows Jazz Ramsey, a woman who trains cadaver and scent-detection dogs. It is more grounded than the Pepper Martin books but shares the same rich local flavor. Read them in this order:

1. The Scent of Murder (2019)
2. The Secrets of Bones (2020)
3. A Trail of Lies (2021)

League of Literary Ladies Mysteries

Set on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, this series follows a group of women forced to form a book club as community service, only to find themselves solving real-life murders inspired by classic literature. Read them in this order:

1. Mayhem at the Orient Express (2013)
2. A Tale of Two Biddies (2014)
3. The Legend of Sleepy Harlow (2014)
4. And Then There Were Nuns (2016)
5. Gone with the Twins (2017)

Button Box Mysteries

This unique cozy series follows Josie Giancola, the owner of a vintage button shop in Chicago who uses her knowledge of historical buttons to untangle murder mysteries. Read them in this order:

1. Button Holed (2011)
2. Hot Button (2012)
3. Panic Button (2012)
4. Buttoned Up (2013)

A Chili Cook-Off Mysteries

A spicy culinary cozy series centered around a chili-maker who keeps stumbling into trouble. Read them in this order:

1. Chili con Carnage (2013)
2. Death by Devil's Breath (2014)
3. Revenge of the Chili Queens (2015)

Ethnic Eats Mysteries

This series features Laurel Inwood, a chef who runs a restaurant specializing in international cuisine, with each book featuring delicious recipes and a side of murder. Read them in this order:

1. Irish Stewed (2016)
2. French Fried (2017)
3. Italian Iced (2018)

Miranda Bliss: Cooking Class Mysteries

Writing as Miranda Bliss, the author published a delightful culinary cozy series featuring two best friends, Annie Capshaw and Eve DeCourcey, who take cooking classes and end up slicing through murder investigations. Read them in order:

1. Cooking Up Murder (2006)
2. Murder on the Menu (2007)
3. Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies (2007)
4. Dying for Dinner (2008)
5. Murder Has a Sweet Tooth (2009)

Anastasia Hastings: Dear Miss Hermione Books

Under her historical mystery pseudonym Anastasia Hastings, she writes a Victorian-era mystery series featuring Violet Manville, who takes over her aunt's famous advice column and ends up answering letters that lead to murder. Read them in order:

1. Of Manners and Murder (2023)
2. Of Hoaxes and Homicide (2024)

Early Series and Romance Standalones (Constance Laux & Connie Lane)

Before finding her niche in cozy mysteries, Constance Laux wrote historical romance and suspense under her own name, Zoe Daniels, and Connie Lane. While these books do not have complex continuities, they are highly sought-after by completionist readers.

The Year of the Cat (As Zoe Daniels)

A paranormal trilogy published entirely in 1995. Read them in order:

1. The Dream (1995)
2. The Hunt (1995)
3. The Amulet (1995)

Blood Moon Series (As Connie Laux)

Another 1990s historical paranormal romance series. Read them in order:

1. The Curse (1995)
2. The Fortune Teller (1995)
3. The Reckoning (1996)

Burton at Cupid's Hideaway (As Connie Lane)

A lighthearted romantic comedy series set around a getaway resort. Read them in order:

1. Stranded At Cupid's Hideaway (2002)
2. Christmas at Cupids Hideaway (2003)
3. Sarah's Guide to Life, Love & Gardening (2005)
4. Knit Two Together (2007)

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Constance Laux's bibliography, the single most important detail to remember is that her tone changes significantly between pen names. The Casey Daniels books (Pepper Martin) are highly comedic, sassy, and supernatural. The Kylie Logan books are classic cozy mysteries—less supernatural, focusing more on community, animals, and hobbies. Her work as Anastasia Hastings leans heavily into historical detail and Victorian social constraints. Choose the pen name that matches your current reading mood, and always stick to publication order within each specific series to enjoy the character relationships as they build over time.