Where to Start with CeeCee James
If you are new to the heartwarming world of CeeCee James, the best place to begin is with one of her two flagship cozy mystery series: the Baker Street Cozy Mysteries or the Flamingo Realty Mystery series. Both showcase her trademark blend of small-town charm, quirky sleuths, and lovable animal companions.
For readers who enjoy culinary themes and historical backdrops, start with Cherry Pie or Die, the first book in the Baker Street series. If you prefer a real estate angle mixed with family dynamics—specifically featuring a grumpy but lovable retired FBI agent grandfather—dive into Mind Your Manors, which kicks off the Flamingo Realty series. Both series establish the clean, suspenseful, and humorous tone that CeeCee James is famous for, and they feature no graphic violence or strong language, making them perfect for cozy mystery traditionalists.
Flamingo Realty Mystery Series
Set in the quirky small town of Brookfield, Pennsylvania, this series follows Stella O'Neil, who moves from Seattle to reconnect with her famously grumpy retired FBI agent grandfather, Oscar. Working alongside her uncle at Flamingo Realty, Stella frequently stumbles onto murders, using her grandfather's old-school investigative advice to help solve them. Although each mystery is wrapped up in its respective book, the relationships and character development evolve sequentially, making it highly recommended to read them in order of publication.
- Mind Your Manors (2018)
- A Dead Market (2019)
- Home Strange Home (2019)
- Duplex Double Trouble (2019)
- Mid-Century Modern Murder (2019)
- With Killer Views (2019)
- The Last Resort (2020)
- Beach Front Hunt (2021)
- Selling Sabotage (2021)
- Final Walk Through (2022)
- The Escrow Escape (2022)
- Moving Day Malice (2022)
- The Cabin Conspiracy (2024)
- Capped by Closing Costs (2024)
Baker Street Cozy Mysteries
The Baker Street series transports readers to Gainesville, Pennsylvania, where Georgie Tanner works as a historical tour guide. Seeking a fresh start after a traumatic life event, Georgie instead finds herself navigating local secrets, historical settlements, and a string of murders. This series is famous for its delicious treats, local gossip, and the prequel novella A Calculated Whisk, which can be read first to see Georgie's transition back to Gainesville, or after the main novels as a fun flashback.
- Cherry Pie Or Die (2017)
- Cookies and Scream (2017)
- Creme Brûlée To Slay (2018)
- Drizzle of Death (2018)
- Slash in the Pan (2018)
- Dough Knot Murder (2019)
- Terror on Top (2020)
- A Calculated Whisk (2023)
Oceanside Hotel Mysteries
In this sunny Florida-set series, Maisie Swenson takes over the management of an elite hotel. Accompanied by her mother and a lovable basset hound named Bingo, Maisie quickly learns that running a high-profile hotel involves much more than customer service when dead bodies begin showing up in the suites. The series is complete and runs across five books:
- Booked For Murder (2017)
- Deadly Reservation (2017)
- Final Check Out (2017)
- Fatal Vacancy (2017)
- Suite Casualty (2018)
Secret Library Cozy Mysteries
This series introduces Laura Lee, who accepts a housekeeper position at the atmospheric and slightly unsettling Thornbury Estate. Books are strictly forbidden by the mistress of the house, which prompts the household staff to organize a secret book club in a hidden room. Alongside a clever resident cat who knows the mansion's secret passages, Laura Lee solves the gothic-tinged mysteries surrounding the estate. This series should be read in publication order:
- Tall Tails Secret Book Club (2020)
- Pawsibly Guilty (2021)
- Catastrophe in the Library (2021)
- Poisonous Paws (2021)
- Clawful Scandal (2022)
- Nine Lies (2024)
Angel Lake Mysteries
In the Angel Lake series, Elise "Elsie" Pepper returns to her southern hometown of Angel Lake to rebuild her life after her marriage collapses in scandal. As she navigates various odd jobs, including walking dogs, she gets pulled into local investigations to protect her friends and neighbors. The books follow a distinct "Taste of" naming convention:
- The Sweet Taste of Murder (2016)
- The Bitter Taste of Betrayal (2016)
- The Sour Taste of Suspicion (2016)
- The Honeyed Taste of Deception (2017)
- The Tempting Taste of Danger (2017)
- The Frosty Taste of Scandal (2017)
Other Cozy Mystery Series
CeeCee James has also written several shorter, themed cozy mystery series. Each offers a quick and satisfying escape into a distinct setting:
Emily Lickenson Cozy Mysteries
A clever play on the famous poet, this series features Emily Lickenson, a cat blogger who investigates local crimes. The books include:
- The Curious Case of Emily Lickenson (2023)
- Emily Lickenson's The Stillness in the Room (2023)
- Emily Lickenson Could Not Stop Death (2023)
Chelsea Lawson Cozy Mysteries
Follows Chelsea Lawson, who moves to a small micro-farm to help out a friend, only to get entangled in rural mysteries. The series contains:
- Mooved to Murder (2019)
- Farmer in the Dead (2020)
- Kicked the Bucket (2020)
Circus Cozy Mysteries
Set in a vibrant circus environment, this series features show-stopping mysteries behind the scenes:
- Cirque De Slay (2018)
- Big Top Treachery (2018)
- Three Ring Murder (2022)
Contemporary Romance and Inspirational Fiction
Beyond her mystery novels, CeeCee James writes sweet contemporary romances and inspirational stories that deal with healing, family, and second chances. These are perfect for readers looking for emotional, heartwarming stories without a mystery element.
Second Chance Series
This series centers on Miranda and Jason, runaway teens who reunite years later to face past traumas and build a future. The books are:
- Wrecked and Yours (2015)
- Out of the Wreckage (2015)
- A Beautiful Wreck (2016)
Home Is Where The Heart Is Series
A sweet romance series focusing on themes of trust, love, and emotional recovery:
- Choosing Hope (2022)
- Choosing Trust (2022)
- Choosing Love (2022)
Memoirs and Personal Works
To truly understand the themes of resilience, small-town community, and healing that run through all of CeeCee James's books, readers should look to her award-winning memoir series. The first book, Ghost No More: a memoir, won first place at the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) awards and details her childhood struggles with homelessness, neglect, and foster care. The series consists of:
- Ghost No More: a memoir (2014)
- Lost No More (2014)
- Fear No More (2015)
Chronological vs. Publication Order & Reading Advice
For all of CeeCee James's cozy mysteries, publication order and chronological order are identical. While the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final page, reading the books out of order will spoil ongoing character relationships, changes in careers, and recurring side stories. If you want a quick taste of her style, the Oceanside Hotel Mysteries is a great complete series to read from start to finish, while the Flamingo Realty Mysteries offers a longer, deep-dive experience into a beloved community.