Start Here: The Recommended Reading Path
For the best reading experience, you should read the Mace Bauer Mystery series in its publication order. Because the narrative timeline moves chronologically alongside the publication dates, following the books in order allows you to fully enjoy the evolution of Mace's relationships, the running jokes about Mama's multiple marriages, and the shifting dynamics of the fictional town of Himmarshee, Florida. Starting with the first book ensures you get the proper introduction to the eccentric Deveraux-Bauer clan.
The Mace Bauer Mystery Series in Order
Each of the novels in the series is a self-contained whodunit, but the character progression flows directly from one book to the next. Here is the complete order of Deborah Sharp's work:
- Mama Does Time (2008) – The debut novel that introduces Mace, Mama Rosalee, and the town of Himmarshee.
- Mama Rides Shotgun (2009) – A 120-mile trail ride across rural Florida that turns deadly.
- Mama Gets Hitched (2010) – Rosalee Deveraux’s fifth wedding is disrupted by the suspicious death of the caterer.
- Mama Sees Stars (2011) – Himmarshee gets a taste of Hollywood when a film crew rolls into town, bringing murder with them.
- Mama Gets Trashed (2013) – A mystery involving a body found in the local landfill and a treasure trove of town secrets.
- "Haunting in Himmarshee" (published in the anthology Fall Into Crime, 2017) – A short story companion featuring a ghostly mystery in Mace's hometown.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Deborah Sharp’s mysteries, it helps to understand the unique flavor she brings to the cozy genre. Sharp, a former USA Today reporter, spent decades covering hard news before turning to fiction at age 50. Her books are a love letter to the "Authentic Florida" of citrus groves, cattle ranches, and small-town rodeos—a world away from theme parks and tourist strips.
The tone is often described as Carl Hiaasen meets Agatha Christie, or Janet Evanovich with a deep-fried Southern accent. While the humor is front and center, the mysteries are well-crafted, and the depiction of Florida's disappearing rural landscape adds genuine heart to the comedic chaos.