Connie Shelton Books in Order

Where to Start with Connie Shelton’s New Mexico Mysteries

Connie Shelton has spent decades crafting cozy mysteries that showcase the culture, scenery, and magic of New Mexico. With nearly 2 million books sold worldwide, her work is beloved for its resilient female leads, intricate plots, and authentic Southwestern backdrops. If you are new to her catalog, your first choice is selecting which of her three main series matches your favorite flavor of mystery:

• For Traditional Cozy PI Sleuthing: Begin with the Charlie Parker Mysteries. This series follows an accountant-turned-private-investigator in Albuquerque and is perfect for fans of classic, character-driven amateur sleuth stories.
• For Cozy Mysteries with a Magical Touch: Dive into the Samantha Sweet Mysteries. Set in Taos, this series blends pastry baking, USDA property caretaking, and a hint of supernatural enchantment.
• For High-Stakes Capers: Start the Heist Ladies Caper Mysteries, which follows a clever team of women orchestrating fun, fast-paced white-collar capers.

The Charlie Parker Mysteries

Charlotte "Charlie" Parker is not your average private investigator. Originally a CPA (certified public accountant) in Albuquerque, she reluctantly finds herself drawn into the world of crime-solving. Alongside her loyal canine companion, Rusty, Charlie tackles cases that range from local family disputes to complex murder investigations. While the individual mysteries are solved within each book, Charlie's personal life, relationships, and family dynamics evolve significantly over the course of the series.

Recommended Reading Order for Charlie Parker

We recommend reading the Charlie Parker books in order of publication to best appreciate the character growth and shifting dynamics of Charlie's circle. Here is the complete publication order based on local bibliography records:

1. Deadly Gamble (1995)
2. Vacations Can Be Murder (1995)
3. Partnerships Can Kill (1996)
4. Small Towns Can Be Murder (1998)
5. Memories Can Be Murder (1999)
6. Honeymoons Can Be Murder (2001)
7. Reunions Can Be Murder (2002)
8. Competition Can Be Murder (2004)
9. Balloons Can Be Murder (2005) - Inspired by Connie Shelton's real-life experience as a world-record-holding hot air balloon pilot.
10. Obsessions Can Be Murder (2006)
11. Holidays Can Be Murder (2009)
12. Gossip Can Be Murder (2010)
13. Stardom Can Be Murder (2011)
14. Phantoms Can Be Murder (2012)
15. Buried Secrets Can Be Murder (2013)
16. Legends Can Be Murder (2014)
17. Weddings Can Be Murder (2016)
18. Alibis Can Be Murder (2017)
19. Escapes Can Be Murder (2019)
20. Old Bones Can Be Murder (2020)
21. Money Can Be Murder (2022)
22. Road Trips Can Be Murder (2023)
23. Cruises Can Be Murder (2024)

The Samantha Sweet Mysteries

Samantha Sweet has one of the most unusual double-careers in cozy mystery history: she breaks into abandoned foreclosed houses as a USDA deputy caretaker, and she runs a gorgeous pastry shop in Taos, New Mexico. Adding to the fun is a touch of magical realism. Early in the series, Samantha finds a mysterious wooden box that gives her unexplained magical abilities, which she uses to protect the innocent and uncover long-buried secrets. This blend of delicious baking, Southwestern romance, and light fantasy elements makes the series a favorite for readers who like their cozy mysteries with a supernatural edge.

Prequel Caveat: Chronological vs. Publication Order

The main reading order debate in this series revolves around The Woodcarver's Secret. Published in 2015, this book serves as a prequel that explains the origin of Samantha's magical wooden box and her early life.

Option A (Recommended): Publication Order. Start with Sweet Masterpiece (2010). Beginning here allows you to experience the mystery of Samantha's magical gifts exactly as the author originally intended, learning about her powers alongside the character. You can then read the prequel, The Woodcarver's Secret, as a flashback after Book 10 (Sweets Forgotten) to flesh out the backstory.

Option B: Chronological Order. If you prefer to know how everything started before diving into the main timeline, you can read The Woodcarver's Secret first, followed by Sweet Masterpiece and the rest of the series in sequence.

Samantha Sweet Reading List

Following the recommended publication sequence, here is the order of Samantha Sweet's adventures:

1. Sweet Masterpiece (2010)
2. Sweet's Sweets (2011)
3. Sweet Holidays (2011)
4. Sweet Hearts (2012)
5. Bitter Sweet (2012)
6. Sweets Galore (2013)
7. Sweets, Begorra (2013)
8. Sweet Payback (2014)
9. Sweet Somethings (2014)
10. Sweets Forgotten (2015)
11. The Woodcarver's Secret (2015) - Prequel Novel
12. Spooky Sweet (2016)
13. Spellbound Sweets (2017)
14. Sticky Sweet (2018)
15. Sweet Magic (2019)
16. Deadly Sweet Dreams (2020)
17. The Ghost of Christmas Sweet (2021)
18. Tricky Sweet (2022)
19. Haunted Sweets (2023)
20. Secret Sweets (2024)
21. Thankful Sweets (2024)

The Heist Ladies Caper Mysteries

If you prefer ensemble casts and capers in the style of Leverage or Ocean's Eleven rather than solitary amateur sleuths, Connie Shelton's Heist Ladies series is the perfect choice. This series follows four women—Sandy, Amber, Pen, and Gracie—who join forces to retrieve stolen funds, expose scammers, and help victims who have been swindled. The series is lighthearted, quick, and showcases a fantastic dynamic of female friendship and teamwork.

1. Diamonds Aren't Forever (2017)
2. The Trophy Wife Exchange (2018)
3. Movie Mogul Mama (2018)
4. Homeless in Heaven (2020)
5. Show Me the Money (2021)

Other Works by Connie Shelton

Beyond her main cozy mystery series, Shelton has penned several companion works, children's books, and educational guides for aspiring authors:

• Adventures of Daisy and Maisie: A sweet children's series inspired by her own real-life pets. The books include Daisy and Maisie and the Great Lizard Hunt (2015) and Daisy and Maisie and the Lost Kitten (2015).
• Non-Fiction Guides: Drawing from her experience teaching writing classes, Shelton wrote guides like Publish Your Own Novel (1996) and Show, Don't Tell (2010).
• Anthologies: Shelton has contributed to holiday and mystery anthologies, including How Still We See Thee Lie (2002), Midnight Mysteries (2016), Year-Round Trouble (2020), and Secret Staircase Holiday Mysteries (2022).

What to Know Before You Start

Because the Charlie Parker Mysteries began in 1995 and has run for nearly three decades, readers will notice a fascinating evolution in technology. Early books feature Charlie relying on landlines, paper maps, and dial-up internet for her accounting investigations, while later books show her using smartphones and modern databases. Rather than detracting from the series, this slow march of time provides a charming historical window for long-time readers.

Additionally, while there are minor geographical overlaps, the Charlie Parker and Samantha Sweet series remain independent. You do not need to worry about missing major crossovers, allowing you to focus on one protagonist at a time without losing track of crucial plot points.