How to Read Clover Tate's Books
Clover Tate is the pen name of Angela M. Sanders, a former congressional investigator who turned her real-world analytical skills toward crafting lighthearted, seaside cozy mysteries. Tate is best known for the Kite Shop Mystery series, which follows Emmy Adler, the owner of the "Strings Attached" kite shop in the fictional town of Rock Point, Oregon. In each book, Emmy gets caught up in local murders and must use her sharp eye for detail to clear her name and find the real culprits.
Because the series has a clean, linear progression of both character relationships and subplots, readers should read these books in chronological / publication order. While each mystery is resolved within its respective book, the overarching character growth and community dynamics develop sequentially from the debut onward.
Kite Shop Mystery Books in Publication and Chronological Order
The entire series was published within a short window between 2017 and 2018. The chronological order matches the publication sequence exactly:
- Blown Away (2017) - Emmy Adler returns to her hometown of Rock Point to open her dream kite shop, but her grand opening is disrupted when she finds the body of a local chef on the beach. As the prime suspect, Emmy has to untangle the town's secrets to save her new business.
- Live and Let Fly (2017) - During Rock Point's annual kite festival, a competitive kite flyer is found dead, and Emmy's own kite string is the murder weapon. She is forced to run her own investigation to clear her name while managing festival chaos.
- Wuthering Kites (2018) - A murder hits incredibly close to home, threatening Emmy’s shop, her family connections, and her relationship with local contractor Jack Sullivan. Emmy must find the killer before her life is completely upended.
Where to Start and What to Expect
The absolute best place to start is the debut novel, Blown Away. Starting here introduces you to Rock Point's charming coastal atmosphere and establishes the key recurring cast members. You will meet Stella, Emmy's loyal and supportive friend, and Jack Sullivan, the rugged local contractor and love interest, whose evolving dynamic with Emmy forms the romantic subplot of the trilogy.
While it is possible to read these books as standalones—since the main whodunit of each novel is fully wrapped up by the final page—you will get much more enjoyment out of the series by experiencing Emmy's personal growth, her business struggles, and her budding romance in the order they were written.
What to Know Before You Start
Tate’s background as a congressional investigator brings a unique flavor to these stories. Unlike some amateur sleuths who stumble into answers by luck, Emmy Adler uses logical deduction, active interviewing, and systematic observation to solve crimes. This structured approach is balanced by the whimsical, creative backdrop of kite-making and the rugged beauty of the Oregon coast, making Rock Point feel like a real place you'd want to visit.
Though Clover Tate's run under this pen name concluded with these three books, the author continues to write highly successful cozy mysteries under her real name, Angela M. Sanders. If you finish the Kite Shop Mysteries and want a similar cozy vibe, you can dive into her other popular series:
- Witch Way Librarian Mysteries: Starting with Bait and Witch, this series features a librarian with magical abilities.
- Joanna Hayworth Vintage Clothing Mysteries: A series centered around historical fashion and sleuthing.
- Sixth Sense Mysteries: Cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist.