Darlene Ryan Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Darlene Ryan's Books

Darlene Ryan was a versatile Canadian writer who published under three names: her real name, Darlene Ryan, for her poignant Young Adult (YA) novels and non-fiction; Sofie Kelly for the beloved, long-running Magical Cats Mysteries; and Sofie Ryan for the charming Second Chance Cat Mysteries. Depending on your reading preferences, there are two distinct starting paths:

• For cozy mystery lovers: Start with the first book of the Magical Cats Mysteries, Curiosity Thrilled the Cat, written as Sofie Kelly. It introduces the delightful combination of a small-town librarian, local murders, and two cats with supernatural abilities.
• For fans of realistic teen fiction: Begin with Rules for Life, Darlene Ryan's debut YA novel, which details a family learning to rebuild after a sudden loss.

The Magical Cats Mysteries (As Sofie Kelly)

Writing as Sofie Kelly, Darlene Ryan created the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats Mysteries. The series is set in the cozy fictional town of Mayville Heights, Minnesota. It follows librarian Kathleen Paulson and her two rescue cats, Owen and Hercules. Owen has the ability to turn invisible, while Hercules can walk through solid walls. Together, this trio solves local crimes alongside detective Marcus Gordon.

This series should be read in publication order, as the characters grow, form relationships, and the overarching subplots evolve over time. The series concludes with the sixteenth full-length novel, Furever After, published in late 2024, which brings beautiful closure to Kathleen's journey. Here is the complete reading order:

1. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (2011)
2. Sleight of Paw (2011)
3. Copycat Killing (2012)
4. Cat Trick (2013)
5. Final Catcall (2013)
6. A Midwinter's Tail (2014)
7. Faux Paw (2015)
8. The Cat Burglar (2016) - Note: This is a novella, often cataloged as Book 8.5. It was originally published in the anthology Two Tall Tails.
9. Paws and Effect (2016)
10. A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
11. The Cats Came Back (2018)
12. A Night's Tail (2019)
13. A Case of Cat and Mouse (2020)
14. Hooked on a Feline (2021)
15. Whiskers and Lies (2022)
16. Paws to Remember (2023)
17. Furever After (2024)

The Second Chance Cat Mysteries (As Sofie Ryan)

Under the pen name Sofie Ryan, Darlene Ryan authored the Second Chance Cat Mysteries. Set in the coastal town of North Harbor, Maine, the series features Sarah Grayson, the owner of a secondhand shop named Second Chance, and her rescue cat, Elvis. Along with a group of senior citizen investigators known as "the angels," Sarah and Elvis tackle mysteries that happen in their tight-knit community.

Similar to the Magical Cats series, reading these books in publication order is highly recommended to follow the personal growth of Sarah and her eccentric crew of helpers. The series concluded with the twelfth novel, Cat Got Your Killer, in early 2025. Below is the chronological publication list:

1. The Whole Cat and Caboodle (2014)
2. Buy a Whisker (2015)
3. A Whisker of Trouble (2016)
4. No More Pussyfooting Around (2016) - Note: A novella published in the Two Tall Tails anthology. (Sometimes incorrectly listed in library catalogs under the title of the other novella in the anthology, The Cat Burglar).
5. Telling Tails (2017)
6. The Fast and the Furriest (2018)
7. No Escape Claws (2019)
8. Claw Enforcement (2020)
9. Undercover Kitty (2021)
10. Totally Pawstruck (2022)
11. Scaredy Cat (2023)
12. Fur Love or Money (2024)
13. Cat Got Your Killer (2025)

The Crossover Anthology: Two Tall Tails

In 2016, Darlene Ryan published a delightful double-novella anthology under both of her mystery pseudonyms, titled Two Tall Tails. This volume is a must-read for fans of both series. It contains:

• "The Cat Burglar" (by Sofie Kelly) – A Mayville Heights story where Kathleen, Owen, and Hercules track down items stolen from an art cooperative.
• "No More Pussyfooting Around" (by Sofie Ryan) – A North Harbor story featuring Sarah Grayson and Elvis.

Because the two stories feature separate casts in their respective towns, they can be read independently alongside their respective parent series without causing any timeline confusion.

Darlene Ryan's Young Adult Novels

Before launching her cozy mystery empires, Darlene Ryan built a reputation as a compassionate and authentic voice in young adult fiction. Her YA books deal with serious, real-world struggles faced by teens, including teen pregnancy, grief, bullying, and identity. Several of her books were written for the Orca Soundings series—an imprint by Orca Book Publishers designed to engage reluctant teen readers with high-interest, fast-paced stories and accessible vocabulary.

Unlike her cozy mystery series, Darlene Ryan's young adult books are entirely standalone and can be read in any order. Here is a list of her young adult novels:

• Rules for Life (2004) – A moving story about a teenage girl, Izzy, dealing with the grief of her mother's death and rebuilding her life.
• Saving Grace (2006) – An Orca Soundings novel about a fifteen-year-old girl who kidnaps the baby she previously placed for adoption.
• Responsible (2007) – An Orca Soundings novel that explores the bystander effect, bullying, and teen accountability.
• Five Minutes More (2009) – An Orca Soundings novel that deals with a teen trying to cope with his father's sudden death.
• Cuts Like a Knife (2012) – An Orca Soundings novel about a boy's search for his friend who has vanished.
• Pieces of Me (2012) – An Orca Soundings novel about a homeless teenage girl who finds herself responsible for an abandoned child.

Non-Fiction and Legacy

Darlene Ryan also published one highly personal non-fiction book: A Mother's Adoption Journey (2001). This memoir recounts the author's real-life experiences adopting her daughter from China, offering a heartfelt and educational perspective for prospective adoptive parents.

Darlene Ryan passed away in mid-2026, leaving behind a rich legacy of stories that bridged the gap between raw, emotional teenage struggles and the comforting warmth of feline-assisted cozy mysteries. Her works continue to bring joy, solace, and page-turning entertainment to readers worldwide.