Christine Zane Thomas Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Christine Zane Thomas

Christine Zane Thomas is the USA Today bestselling pen name of a talented husband-and-wife writing team residing in Northwest Florida. Known for blending Southern charm, witty humor, and page-turning suspense, they have built a diverse catalog of cozy mysteries spanning both contemporary culinary capers and paranormal women's fiction. If you are new to their work, you have two primary entry points depending on your favorite subgenre:

• For Magic and Mystery: Start with Midlife Curses, the first book in the popular Witching Hour series. This paranormal women's fiction series features a forty-year-old witch who discovers her magical heritage and finds herself solving supernatural crimes.
• For Culinary Sleuthing: Start with The Salty Taste of Murder, the debut novel of the Foodie Files Mystery series. This series offers classic contemporary cozy mystery vibes with delicious Southern food references and clever amateur sleuthing.

Regardless of where you begin, each series is best enjoyed in publication order, as the character relationships, overarching town lore, and running jokes build from book to book.

The Witching Hour Universe

The largest and most beloved portion of Christine Zane Thomas's catalog is set in the Witching Hour universe. This shared magical setting features two separate series that focus on different protagonists but carry the same whimsical, supernatural atmosphere. While they can be read independently, staying in publication order ensures you do not miss any subtle world-building details.

Witching Hour Series (Constance Campbell's Story)

This series follows Constance Campbell, a forty-year-old woman who moves to the eccentric town of Creel Creek only to discover she comes from a line of powerful witches. Alongside her magical familiar, Constance must navigate midlife changes, ancient family grimoires, and a steady stream of local murders. Read this series in the following order:

1. Midlife Curses (2020)
2. Never Been Hexed (2020)
3. Must Love Charms (2020)
4. You've Got Spells (2021)
5. As Grimoire as It Gets (2021)
6. While You Were Spellbound (2022)
7. What Witches Want (2023)
8. There's Something About Magic (2024)
9. Four Witches and a Funeral (2025)

Witching Hour: Psychics (Willow Brown's Story)

A companion spin-off series set in the same universe, this storyline focuses on Willow Brown, a reluctant psychic who inherits a home in Mossy Pointe, Florida, from her late great-aunt Cora. To her surprise, Aunt Cora's spirit is still hanging around—inhabiting the body of a local cat—and is determined to guide Willow in using her gifts to solve local crimes. Read this spin-off in order:

1. The Scrying Game (2021)
2. The Usual Psychics (2022)

Foodie Files Mystery Series

If you prefer your cozy mysteries without magic but with plenty of culinary flair, the Foodie Files Mystery series is the perfect choice. Set in the charming Southern town of Lanai, the series follows Allie Treadwell, a passionate food writer turned amateur sleuth. The books are filled with delicious descriptions of Gulf seafood, coastal scenery, and tight-knit community dynamics. The reading order is straightforward:

1. The Salty Taste of Murder (2018)
2. A Choice Cocktail of Death (2018)
3. A Juicy Morsel of Jealousy (2019)
4. The Bitter Bite of Betrayal (2019)

Collaborations and Co-Authored Series

Christine Zane Thomas frequently collaborates with other cozy mystery authors to create fun, fast-paced crossover universes. These books should be read in chronological order within their specific series.

Tessa Randolph Cozy Mysteries (with Paula Lester)

Co-authored with Paula Lester, this quirky paranormal series introduces Tessa Randolph, a down-on-her-luck woman who accidentally inherits the abilities of the actual Grim Reaper. Suddenly responsible for guiding souls while solving mysteries, Tessa's adventures are full of dark humor and heart. Read the trilogy in order:

1. Grim and Bear It (2020)
2. The Scythe's Secrets (2020)
3. Reap What She Sows (2020)

Comics and Coffee Case Files (with William Tyler Davis)

Writing alongside William Tyler Davis, the authors deliver a lighthearted, contemporary cozy mystery series centered around a comic book store and coffee shop. The series features Kirby Jackson and his energetic dachshund, Gambit, as they stumble into local investigations. Read the series in order:

1. Marvels, Mochas, and Murder (2018)
2. Lattes and Lies (2018)
3. Cold Brew Catastrophe (2019)
4. Decaf Deceit (2019)

Chronological vs. Publication Order

For all of Christine Zane Thomas's series, chronological order matches publication order perfectly. There are no prequels or timeline jumps that disrupt the narrative flow. Readers looking for a complete universe experience can read the main Witching Hour series and the Witching Hour: Psychics spin-off in parallel by publication date, starting The Scrying Game after reading As Grimoire as It Gets, though reading each series start-to-finish on its own works just as well without spoiling major plot points.