The Ultimate Reading Path
Connie Archer has written two primary series that cater to different cozy mystery flavors. Under her own name, she wrote the beloved Soup Lover's Mysteries, a classic culinary cozy series set in Vermont. Under her pen name, Connie di Marco, she writes the Zodiac Mysteries, featuring an astrologer sleuth in San Francisco. Here is exactly how to start exploring her books.
For the Soup Lover's Mystery series, the reading path is straightforward: read them in publication order. The main character, Lucky Jamieson, develops her soup shop business and personal relationships from book to book, meaning a chronological read provides the best experience.
For the Zodiac Mysteries (written as Connie di Marco), you have a choice. You can start with the prequel novella, Enter a Wizard, Stage Left, to see protagonist Julia Bonatti's introduction to astrology, or you can dive straight into the first full-length novel, The Madness of Mercury, and read the prequel later as a flashback.
Soup Lover's Mystery Series (Writing as Connie Archer)
This series centers on Lucky Jamieson, who inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, in the fictional, snow-swept village of Snowflake, Vermont. Alongside delicious soup recipes, each book serves up an intricate murder investigation.
- A Spoonful of Murder (2012): Lucky Jamieson returns to Snowflake to close up her parents' estate and soup shop, only to find herself investigating the murder of a local tourist.
- A Broth of Betrayal (2013): During Snowflake's Frost Festival, the local building inspector is found dead, and Lucky must clear the name of her chef, Sage DuBois.
- A Roux of Revenge (2014): Lucky is preparing for the Autumn Equinox festival when a local soup delivery driver is murdered, revealing long-hidden secrets in the town.
- Ladle to the Grave (2015): A cold snap hits Snowflake, bringing with it a double homicide that Lucky must untangle before the cold case freezes over completely.
- A Clue in the Stew (2016): A famous mystery writer visits Snowflake, but when a local resident is murdered in a copycat style matching the author's plot, Lucky has to find the real killer.
The Zodiac Mysteries (Writing as Connie di Marco)
Writing under the pseudonym Connie di Marco, the author crafts a slightly darker, urban cozy series. The books follow Julia Bonatti, a professional astrologer in San Francisco who uses her astrological skills to help clients and solve mysteries, while dealing with threats to her own life.
- Enter a Wizard, Stage Left (2021 - Novella / Book 0.5): Chronologically, this prequel novella takes place before the first novel. It details Julia's early interest in astrology and her relationship with her beloved grandmother, Gloria.
- The Madness of Mercury (2016 - Book 1): Julia is targeted by a cult-like organization run by a manipulative self-help guru, forcing her to clear her name while solving a murder.
- All Signs Point to Murder (2017 - Book 2): Julia helps a friend whose family business is being threatened, leading her into a web of greed, family drama, and homicide.
- Tail of the Dragon (2018 - Book 3): Julia tries to help a young woman escape a dangerous group, exposing herself to deadly retaliation in San Francisco.
- Serpent's Doom (2022 - Book 4): Julia investigates the murder of a prominent local businessman, navigating zodiac charts and real-world clues to track down the killer.
- The Light Beside the Sea (2024 - Book 5): Julia finally investigates the cold hit-and-run death of her fiancé, Michael, leading her to study the mysterious journal he left behind.
Cozy Anthology Contributions
If you want to read more of Connie Archer's work alongside other cozy mystery giants, you should pick up her anthology contributions. In 2015, she contributed to The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today's Bestselling Mystery Authors. This collection features recipes from her Soup Lover's series, alongside works by authors like Cleo Coyle and Avery Aames. She also contributed recipes to the 2015 volume The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook.
What to Know Before You Start
The two series offer distinct reading experiences. The Soup Lover's Mysteries are quintessential small-town cozies, complete with snowy New England scenery, a bustling local business, a quirky cast of supporting characters, and recipes at the back of each book. The stakes are localized and focused on community dynamics.
In contrast, the Zodiac Mysteries are set in the busy, foggy streets of San Francisco. While still retaining cozy elements (like Julia's search for justice and her circle of friends), they deal with slightly more intense themes, such as manipulative cults, stalkers, and the long-term emotional impact of the unsolved death of Julia's fiancé. The astrological charts and details are researched thoroughly, adding an educational angle for readers interested in the zodiac.