Cynthia Baxter Books in Order

Where to Start with Cynthia Baxter

For readers new to Cynthia Baxter's cozy mysteries, the absolute best place to start is the Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series. Beginning with the 2004 debut, Dead Canaries Don't Sing, this series is Baxter's signature work. It features Jessica Popper, a relatable veterinarian based on Long Island who cannot resist a good mystery, and it runs for nine highly entertaining books. If you prefer a shorter series with a delicious backdrop, start with Murder with a Cherry on Top, the first book in the Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe Mystery Series, which is set in a charming Hudson Valley town.

For readers interested in her young adult and romance catalog, Baxter wrote extensively under the pseudonym Cynthia Blair. Her most famous work under this name is the 13-book Pratt Twins Series, which begins with The Banana Split Affair (1984). It is a nostalgic, fun read for anyone who loves classic twin-swap tropes.

Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries

This series follows veterinarian Jessica "Jessie" Popper, whose veterinary practice on Long Island's North Shore brings her into contact with all sorts of colorful animals—and equally colorful murder mysteries. Accompanied by her one-eyed Dalmatian, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max, Jessie uses her diagnostic skills to solve crimes. While each book features a self-contained mystery, the personal relationships, especially Jessie's romance with her boyfriend Nick, progress across the books, so reading them in order is highly recommended.

1. Dead Canaries Don't Sing (2004) - Jessie investigates the suspicious death of a client who left behind a house full of exotic birds.
2. Putting On The Dog (2004) - A fancy dog show turns deadly, forcing Jessie to sniff out a killer.
3. Lead a Horse to Murder (2005) - When a wealthy equestrian is found dead, Jessie enters the competitive world of horse breeding.
4. Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow (2006) - A mystery involving rabbits leads Jessie into a web of small-town secrets.
5. Right from the Gecko (2007) - A trip to Florida turns into a crime scene involving exotic reptiles.
6. Who's Kitten Who? (2007) - Jessie takes on a case involving pedigree felines and pedigree greed.
7. Monkey See, Monkey Die (2008) - A mysterious primate is the key witness to a high-society murder.
8. Murder Had a Little Lamb (2009) - Jessie visits a farm and finds herself tracking a killer who is anything but gentle.
9. Crossing the Lion (2010) - Jessie's final outing takes her to a private safari park where danger runs wild.

Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe Mysteries

Switching gears from veterinary medicine to artisanal dairy, this four-book series introduces Kate McKay. Seeking a fresh start, Kate moves to the historic Hudson Valley town of Wolfert's Roost to open an ice cream parlor. Along with mouth-watering ice cream descriptions, she serves up excellent deduction. The series blends a warm community feel with clever puzzles.

1. Murder with a Cherry on Top (2018) - Kate's grand opening is ruined when her ex-husband's new flame is found dead with Kate's ice cream scoop nearby.
2. Hot Fudge Murder (2019) - The autumn festival turns bitter when a local real estate developer is killed.
3. Last Licks (2019) - An ice cream competition turns deadly when a rival judge is poisoned.
4. Game of Cones (2020) - Kate handles a high-profile movie shoot at her shop that ends in a tragic final cut.

Murder Packs a Suitcase Mysteries

This short-lived, breezy duology follows Mallory Marlowe, a travel writer whose assignments constantly lead her straight into dangerous situations. It is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with lighthearted humor and sunny, tropical resort settings.

1. Murder Packs a Suitcase (2008) - Mallory's trip to a luxurious resort in Florida takes an unexpected turn when she finds a dead body.
2. Too Rich and Too Dead (2009) - A glamorous cruise ship setting provides the backdrop for Mallory's second investigation.

Writing as Cynthia Blair: YA & Middle-Grade Series

Long before she wrote her adult cozy mysteries, Baxter had a successful career writing YA contemporary fiction, romance, and thrillers as Cynthia Blair. These series are highly sought after by collectors and fans of 1980s and 1990s youth literature.

The Pratt Twins Books

This beloved 13-book series centers on identical twins Chris and Susan Pratt, who swap identities to solve problems, navigate high school, and experience summer adventures.

1. The Banana Split Affair (1984)
2. The Hot Fudge Sunday Affair (1985)
3. Strawberry Summer (1986)
4. The Pumpkin Principle (1986)
5. Marshmallow Masquerade (1987)
6. The Candy Cane Caper (1987)
7. The Pink Lemonade Charade (1988)
8. The Double-Dip Disguise (1988)
9. The Popcorn Project (1989)
10. The Apple Pie Adventure (1989)
11. The Jelly Bean Scheme (1990)
12. The Lollipop Plot (1990)
13. The Coconut Connection (1991)

Bubble Gum Gang Mysteries

A fun middle-grade mystery series about a group of kids who team up to solve neighborhood capers and unusual occurrences.

1. There's No Such Thing as a Haunted House (1991)
2. Chocolate Is My Middle Name (1992)
3. Warning: Baby-Sitting May Be Hazardous to Your Health (1993)
4. Buried Treasure... In My Own Attic (1994)

Dark Moon Legacy Trilogy

For readers who enjoy vintage YA supernatural romance and gothic horror, this trilogy follows the dark secrets of a family curse and werewolf lore.

1. The Curse (1993)
2. The Seduction (1993)
3. The Rebellion (1993)

Nightmares Books

These two books were contributed to HarperCollins' "Nightmares" multi-author YA horror line in the mid-1990s. They are standalone horror thrillers rather than a continuous narrative.

• The Trap (1993)
• The Beast (1993)

What to Know Before You Start

Cynthia Baxter's novels are celebrated for their lighthearted pacing, focus on hobbies (pets, travel, and ice cream making), and strong female protagonists. The mysteries are generally light on gore and heavy on relationships, humor, and atmosphere. Because the character arcs in her three main cozy mystery series develop chronologically, it is highly recommended to read each series in its publication order. The Cynthia Blair books are largely out of print but are widely available on secondhand book markets and digital libraries like Open Library, and they offer a delightful slice of retro YA storytelling.