Books On Board

Chelsea Thomas Books in Order

  • 32 Books
  • 2019 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

Where to Start Reading Chelsea Thomas

If you are new to the cozy mystery worlds created by the married writing duo Chelsea and Matthew Thomas (writing under the pen name Chelsea Thomas), you have two primary access points. The most popular starting place is Pine Grove, New York, the setting for their signature series, the Apple Orchard Cozy Mysteries. This series begins with Apple Die and follows Chelsea, a heartbroken sleuth, and her former prosecutor aunt, Miss May. If you prefer West Coast vibes, pet-grooming antics, and a hilarious, poker-playing grandmother, you should start with the Dog Groomer Mysteries, which kicks off with A New Leash on Life in Toluca Lake, California.

Both series are written with snappy, screenwriting-style dialogue and offer low-stakes, humorous, and clean suspense. While the books are written to work as standalone mysteries, the character relationships, romantic subplots, and personal growth develop significantly over time. For the best experience, reading in publication order is highly recommended.

Apple Orchard Cozy Mysteries

Set in upstate New York, this series blends small-town gossip, mouthwatering recipes, and clever whodunits. After a wedding disaster, Chelsea moves to Pine Grove to live with her Aunt May, only to find herself constantly tripped up by local murders. Alongside their eccentric friend Teeny, this amateur sleuth team keeps Pine Grove safe. Here is the reading order based on the official publication sequence:

  1. Apple Die (2019) – Chelsea arrives in Pine Grove to mend her broken heart, but a murder at the local apple orchard changes her plans.
  2. Cooking the Books (2019) – A sleazy money manager is killed, exposing financial secrets hidden within the small town.
  3. Candy Apple Killer (2019) – The autumn festivities turn sour when a corpse is discovered during the local festival.
  4. Berried Alive (2019) – Summer harvests bring new trouble as a berry picker turns up dead.
  5. Granny Smith is Dead (2019) – A family rivalry over a legendary recipe ends in murder.
  6. A Knead to Kill (2019) – Note: While officially listed as Book 6 in many main libraries and databases, this was originally published as a novella (often numbered 1.5) detailing early culinary capers.
  7. Candy Slain (2019) – Holiday preparations are disrupted by a seasonal slaying.
  8. Shot Through the Tart (2019) – A local bakery competition turns lethal.
  9. Peaches and Scream (2020) – A summer peach festival is ruined by a shocking death.
  10. Dread and Butter (2020) – A new bakery opening is overshadowed by a dead body.
  11. The Smoking Bun (2020) – A fan-favorite featuring pie-eating contests and a highly convoluted plot.
  12. Dropping Like Pies (2020) – Several town secrets collide when a prominent citizen is poisoned.
  13. No Cone Unturned (2021) – An ice cream parlor becomes the scene of a chilling crime.
  14. Strawberry Short-dead (2021) – Summer heat waves and strawberry treats meet a deadly end.
  15. Hot Cross Guns (2021) – A baking show setup leads to a competitive shooting crime.
  16. Whisking Everything (2022) – Aunt May and Chelsea must clear their own names in this high-stakes mystery.
  17. Dead Velvet Cake (2022) – A wedding cake commission goes horribly wrong.
  18. Muffin But Trouble (2023) – Breakfast pastries and dark past secrets lead to a new investigation.
  19. Pineapple Upside Drown Cake (2023) – A tropical-themed fundraiser takes a dark dive.
  20. Murder on the Orient Espresso (2023) – A train-themed coffee shop launch ends in a fast-paced murder case.
  21. Dead Man Cakewalking (2023) – Chelsea faces her most personal mystery yet at the local carnival.

Chronological Reading Caveats

For completists, there is an additional holiday-themed bonus novella titled Six Sweets Under, which was released in late 2019. It fits chronologically between Granny Smith is Dead (Book 5) and Candy Slain (Book 7) and is frequently referred to as Book 5.5 by fans. Additionally, some digital box sets place A Knead to Kill immediately after Apple Die (as Book 1.5) because it introduces early character details, though reading it as Book 6 does not disrupt the main narrative flow.

Dog Groomer Mysteries

Switching coastlines to sunny California, the Dog Groomer Mysteries follow Amy Stewart, the owner of a pet grooming salon in Toluca Lake, California. Amy is accompanied by her quirky, grumpy, poker-obsessed grandmother (known affectionately as Granny). This series leans heavily into humor, animal antics, and family banter. The publication and chronological order is as follows:

  1. A New Leash on Life (2021) – Amy returns home to open her dog grooming salon, only to find a body on the property.
  2. Ruff and Tumble (2021) – A dog show competition turns deadly, and Amy must find the killer among the handlers.
  3. To Fetch a Killer (2021) – A dog-walking client is accused of a crime, prompting Amy to step in.
  4. Tail of Two Killers (2021) – A double homicide at a pet store sends Toluca Lake into a panic.
  5. Howl to Get Away with Murder (2021) – A parody-infused mystery where Amy and Granny must outsmart a clever killer.
  6. Murder Fur Hire (2021) – A local celebrity's pet grooming appointment ends with a crime scene.
  7. Petter Off Dead (2022) – An animal rescue fundraiser goes awry when the host is murdered.
  8. Shot in the Bark (2023) – A neighborhood dispute over barking dogs escalates to murder.
  9. Paws of Death (2023) – A local dog park becomes the focus of a dark investigation.
  10. Groomed to Kill (2023) – Amy must solve a mystery involving a high-profile client at the salon.
  11. The Deadly Dealer (2024) – Note: This book focuses on Granny's past and serves as the launchpad for the Gamblin' Granny spin-off brand.

Autumn Waters Cozy Mysteries

In addition to their solo pen name work, Chelsea and Matthew Thomas collaborated with author Bertie Miller to write the Autumn Waters series. This subseries is set in Lowville, Ohio, and follows Autumn Waters, a coffee shop owner who runs a casual detective agency alongside her best friend, Catty Bond. It should be read in chronological order:

  • Autumn Waters & the Case of the Dead Kevin (2024)
  • Autumn Waters & the Case of the Killer Coffee (2025)
  • Autumn Waters & the Case of the Unlucky Numbers (2026)

Crossovers and Crossover Novellas

For readers who enjoy universe crossovers, Chelsea Thomas collaborated with cozy mystery author Steve Higgs to write a bonus crossover novella titled Big Apple Pie. This story bridges the characters from Chelsea Thomas's Dog Groomer Mysteries with Steve Higgs's Patricia Fisher series. It was published as part of the collaborative collection Sparks in the Darkness and is also included as a bonus at the end of the Dog Groomer Mysteries: Books 1-5 omnibus collection.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading Chelsea Thomas?

You should start with Apple Die (the first book of the Apple Orchard Cozy Mysteries) if you love small-town baking mysteries. If you prefer quirky pet stories and California settings, start with A New Leash on Life (the first book of the Dog Groomer Mysteries).

Who is the author Chelsea Thomas?

Chelsea Thomas is the pen name for the husband-and-wife writing team of Chelsea and Matthew Thomas, who were formerly Hollywood screenwriters before writing cozy mystery novels.

Where is the Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery series set?

The series is set in the fictional town of Pine Grove in upstate New York, which was inspired by the writers' real-life experiences living in the region.

How does the book A Knead to Kill fit into the reading order?

While listed as Book 6 in many library collections and databases, A Knead to Kill was written as a prequel/novella and is sometimes numbered as Book 1.5 by fans. It can be read either early in the series or in publication order without issues.

What is the Gamblin' Granny series connection?

The Gamblin' Granny series is a spin-off/rebranding focusing on the grandmother from the Dog Groomer Mysteries. It officially starts with The Deadly Dealer (which is also Book 11 of the Dog Groomer series).

Are there any crossovers in Chelsea Thomas's books?

Yes, Chelsea Thomas co-authored a crossover novella titled Big Apple Pie with Steve Higgs, bringing together characters from the Dog Groomer Mysteries and the Patricia Fisher series.