Where to Start: The Perfect Entry Point
If you are new to Colleen Helme's books, the absolute best place to start is with Carrots, the book that launched her signature Shelby Nichols Adventure series. This series blends cozy mystery, paranormal suspense, and lighthearted humor, telling the story of a regular suburban mom who suddenly gains mind-reading abilities and finds herself caught between local police and a charismatic mob boss.
While there are fantasy series and standalone thriller novels in Helme's bibliography, the Shelby Nichols universe is by far her largest and most beloved creation. Starting with any other book in this main series will leave you confused about the intricate relationships, character growth, and ongoing subplot arcs that span over a decade of releases.
Shelby Nichols Adventures: Publication vs. Chronological Order
For the main series, publication order and chronological order are almost identical, with a couple of key exceptions regarding novellas. Most readers recommend reading the books in publication order, but it is helpful to know exactly where the shorter works fit into the timeline to avoid minor spoilers or confusion.
The Novella Caveats
- Devil in a Black Suit: Released in 2018, this novella is officially numbered as Book 10.5. It should be read after Laced in Lies (Book 10) and before Deadly Escape (Book 11).
- A Midsummer Night's Murder: Although published in 2018 (often listed as Book 13 in release lists), this story functions best when read in release order or as a mid-series breather. In some chronological lists, it is placed between Deadly Escape and Marked for Murder.
- License to Steal: Originally published in the 2021 holiday anthology Seasoned Magic, this novella was released as a standalone in 2022. It fits chronologically between High Stakes Crime and Ties That Bind, showcasing Shelby's chaotic attempts to secure her official private investigator license.
The Sand and Shadows Spin-off
As the Shelby Nichols series progressed, Helme introduced a mysterious trauma nurse named Ella St. John in Dying Wishes (Book 16 in the database list). Ella possesses a paranormal gift of her own—the ability to heal people with her touch. Her introduction laid the groundwork for the Sand and Shadows spin-off series, starting with Angel Falls (2021).
Because the main series and the spin-off share character crossovers and overlapping timelines, the best experience is to read Angel Falls immediately after finishing Dying Wishes or High Stakes Crime. This keeps the chronological events aligned and makes the cameo appearances by Shelby and her allies in Ella's world feel incredibly rewarding.
The Love, Loyalty & Larceny Meta-fiction
In a creative twist for long-time fans, Colleen Helme teamed up with author Jocelyn Drake to co-write the Love, Loyalty & Larceny series. In the Shelby Nichols universe, these books are written by the character Jackie Manetto under a pen name. They are flirty, romantic comedies inspired by the mob-world dynamics of the main series. While they can be read as standalones, they are best enjoyed after you have a firm grasp of the characters and organizations in the main Shelby Nichols books.
Colleen Helme Complete Book List
Shelby Nichols Adventure Series
The definitive order to read Shelby's adventures, including the core novels and key novellas:
- Carrots (2011)
- Fast Money (2011)
- Lie or Die (2012)
- Secrets That Kill (2013)
- Trapped By Revenge (2013)
- Deep In Death (2014)
- Crossing Danger (2015)
- Devious Minds(2016)
- Hidden Deception (2016)
- Laced In Lies (2017)
- Devil in a Black Suit (Novella - 2018)
- Deadly Escape (2018)
- A Midsummer Night's Murder (Novella - 2018)
- Marked for Murder (2019)
- Ghostly Serenade (2020)
- Dying Wishes (2020)
- High Stakes Crime (2021)
- License to Steal (Novella - 2022)
- Ties That Bind (2022)
- Grave Duty (2023)
- Presumed Dead (2024)
- Poisoned Truth (2025)
Sand and Shadows Series
Ella St. John's spin-off series focusing on her healing touch and romantic suspense elements:
- Angel Falls (2021)
- Desert Devil (2022)
Love, Loyalty & Larceny Series
Co-authored with Jocelyn Drake, these meta-fictional novels are written by Jackie Manetto in-universe:
- The Hitman and the Psychic (2025)
- The Mob Boss and the Assassin (2026)
Flame of Destiny Series
For readers who want a departure from modern mysteries, this is Helme's early fantasy duology:
- Flame of Destiny (2011)
- The Relic (2011)
Standalone Novels
These standalones offer self-contained stories outside of Helme's main shared universes:
- Songbird (2010)
- Imitation Alien (Young Adult Sci-Fi Thriller - 2026)