Cynthia Hickey Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Cynthia Hickey

Cynthia Hickey is exceptionally prolific, meaning new readers might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of her bibliography. To help you find your footing, we recommend starting with one of these three entry points, depending on your preferred genre:

• For Cozy Mystery Fans: Start with the Summer Meadows Mystery series. Her debut novel, Fudge-Laced Felonies (2008), introduces Summer Meadows, an amateur sleuth whose lighthearted and witty approach to solving crime sets the tone for Hickey's cozy mystery style.
• For Romantic Suspense Seekers: Begin with Secrets of Misty Hollow (2020), the first book in the Misty Hollow series. It delivers a perfect balance of small-town danger, clean romance, and faith-driven tension.
• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with the Finding Love the Harvey Girl Way series, beginning with Cooking with Love (2013). This series offers an immersive look at the historical Harvey Girls in the American West, blending meticulous historical detail with heartwarming romance.

Cozy Mystery Series in Reading Order

Hickey's cozy mysteries are characterized by quirky characters, small-town settings, animal companions, and lighthearted intrigue.

Summer Meadows Mystery Books

This is Cynthia Hickey's signature cozy mystery series, following the sleuthing adventures of Summer Meadows.

1. Fudge-Laced Felonies (2008)
2. Chocolate-Covered Crime (2011)
3. Candy-Coated Secrets (2020)
4. Maui Macadamia Madness (2020)

A Nosy Neighbor Mystery Books

Follow amateur sleuth Stormi Nelson as she finds herself constantly entangled in neighborhood crimes.

1. Anything for a Mystery (2014)
2. A Killer Plot (2014)
3. Skin Care Can Be Murder (2014)
4. Death by Baking (2015)
5. Jogging is Bad for Your Health (2015)
6. Poison Bubbles (2015)
7. Christmas with Stormi Nelson (2015)
8. A Good Party Can Kill You (2015)

A Tiny House Mystery Books

A fun, modern cozy mystery series revolving around tiny homes and a clever canine named Caper.

1. Caper Goes Missing (2019)
2. Caper Finds a Clue (2019)
3. No Small Caper (2019)
4. Caper's Dark Adventure (2019)
5. A Strange Game for Caper (2020)
6. Caper Steals Christmas (2020)
7. Caper Finds a Treasure (2020)

Tail Waggin' Mystery Books

Perfect for dog lovers, this cozy mystery series features four-legged assistants helping to crack cases.

1. Cat-Eyed Witness (2020)
2. The Dog Who Found a Body (2021)
3. Troublesome Twosome (2021)
4. Four Legged Suspect (2021)
5. Unwanted Christmas Guest (2021)
6. Wedding Day Cat Burglar (2021)

Shady Acres Mystery Books

A cozy mystery series set around a botanical greenhouse and senior community garden where drama is always in full bloom.

1. Beware the Orchids (2016)
2. Path to Nowhere (2016)
3. Poison Foliage (2016)
4. Poinsettia Madness (2016)
5. Deadly Greenhouse Gases (2017)
6. Vine Entrapment (2017)

Romantic Suspense Series in Reading Order

If you prefer a faster pace, higher stakes, and gripping danger mixed with romance, Hickey's romantic suspense series are your best bet.

Misty Hollow Books

This series features intense small-town mysteries and relationships put to the test under threat.

1. Secrets of Misty Hollow (2020)
2. Deceptive Peace (2021)
3. Calm Surface (2022)
4. Lightning Never Strikes Twice (2022)
5. Lethal Inheritance (2022)
6. Bitter Isolation (2022)
7. Say I Don't (2022)
8. Christmas Stalker (2022)
9. Bridge to Safety (2023)

Hearts of Courage Books

This romantic suspense series features two distinct reading paths. While the books can be read in publication order, reading chronologically places the prequel A Heart of Valor first, which sets up the backstories of the characters.

Chronological Reading Order:

1. A Heart of Valor (2020)
2. The Game (2018)
3. Suspicious Minds (2021)
4. After the Storm (2018)
5. Local Betrayal (2018)
6. A Time to Hunt (2021)

Publication Reading Order:

1. The Game (2018)
2. Local Betrayal (2018)
3. After the Storm (2018)
4. A Heart of Valor (2020)
5. Suspicious Minds (2021)
6. A Time to Hunt (2021)

Overcoming Evil Books

This series is another that is highly recommended to read in chronological order rather than publication order. The chronological order begins with the prequel Mistaken Assassin, which gives crucial context to the danger faced by the characters in later books.

Chronological Reading Order:

1. Mistaken Assassin (2013)
2. Captured Innocence (2013)
3. Mountain of Fear (2011)
4. Exposure at Sea (2011)
5. A Secret to Die For (2012)
6. Collision Course (2015)

Publication Reading Order:

1. Mountain of Fear (2011)
2. Exposure at Sea (2011)
3. A Secret to Die For (2012)
4. Captured Innocence (2013)
5. Mistaken Assassin (2013)
6. Collision Course (2015)

The Brothers of Copper Pass Books

A gripping series centering on the close-knit brothers of Copper Pass as they face threats and find love.

1. Wyatt's Warrant (2020)
2. Dirk's Defense (2020)
3. Stetson's Secret (2020)
4. Houston's Hope (2020)
5. Dallas's Dare (2020)
6. Seth's Sacrifice (2021)
7. Malcolm's Misunderstanding (2021)

Wife for Hire Private Investigator Books

1. Saving Sarah (2019)
2. Lesson for Lacey (2019)
3. Mission for Meghan (2019)
4. Long Way for Lainie (2019)
5. Aimed at Amy (2019)

Historical Romance Series in Reading Order

Hickey's historical romances transport readers to the Ozark Mountains, the early American frontier, and the era of the Harvey Girls.

Finding Love the Harvey Girl Way Books

Set during the expansion of the Fred Harvey restaurants along the Santa Fe Railway, this series follows the women who worked as Harvey Girls.

1. Cooking with Love (2013)
2. An Unconventional Lady (2014)
3. Serving with Love (2015)
4. Warring with Love (2015)
5. Guiding with Love (2018)

Woman of Courage Books

An inspirational historical series showcasing strong women overcoming adversity on the American frontier.

1. A Love for Delicious (2012)
2. Ruth's Redemption (2012)
3. Charity's Gold Rush (2012)
4. Mountain Redemption (2013)

The Willingham Sisters, Flowers of the Desert Books

1. Desert Rose (2015)
2. Desert Lilly (2015)
3. Desert Belle (2015)
4. Desert Daisy (2015)

What to Know Before You Start

Cynthia Hickey's novels are celebrated for being "clean and wholesome," meaning they contain no explicit content, minimal violence, and strong Christian or faith-based themes. While books within a series often share a central community or recurring characters, many of them are written to function well as standalones. However, reading them in order ensures you don't miss out on character development, evolving relationships, or overarching mysteries.