Where to Start with Debra Burroughs
For readers diving into Debra Burroughs’ clean romance and suspenseful mystery stories, the best entry point depends on your subgenre preference. If you enjoy classic, small-town cozy detective mysteries reminiscent of a clean modern sleuth story, start with the Paradise Valley Mystery series. If you prefer journalism-driven investigations mixed with family secrets, begin with the Jenessa Jones Mystery series. For those looking for a quick, standalone experience, her romantic thriller set in the Pacific Northwest is an excellent alternative starting point.
Burroughs is celebrated for keeping her stories wholesome yet gripping, avoiding graphic violence and explicit content. Instead, she relies on dialogue, romantic tension, and family dynamics to drive the suspense forward. Below is the complete guide to navigating her main series, prequels, and standalones.
Paradise Valley Mystery Series Reading Order
This is Burroughs' signature series, featuring Emily Parker, a sassy private investigator who begins the series unraveling the mystery behind her late husband's murder. Over the course of the series, Emily navigates danger, small-town secrets, and a blossoming relationship with detective Colin Andrews. While the books are largely self-contained investigations, the romantic arc and character development require reading them in sequence.
The series features both full-length novels and shorter entries that serve as character bridges. Most notably, The Edge of Lies is a prequel novella (designated as Book 2.5) that explores Emily’s history with her first husband, Evan, before the events of the first book. While it is chronologically a prequel, readers will appreciate the backstory much more if they read it after establishing familiarity with the characters in the first two novels. Additionally, The Color of Lies acts as a brief bridge novella (Book 4.5) between the events of books four and five.
The recommended reading order for the Paradise Valley Mystery series is:
- The Scent of Lies (Book 1 - 2012)
- The Heart of Lies (Book 2 - 2012)
- The Edge of Lies (Book 2.5 Novella - 2013)
- The Chain of Lies (Book 3 - 2012)
- The Pursuit of Lies (Book 4 - 2013)
- The Color of Lies (Book 4.5 Short Story - 2013)
- The Betrayal of Lies (Book 5 - 2013)
- The Harbor of Lies (Book 6 - 2014)
- The House of Lies (Book 7 - 2017)
- The Season of Lies (Book 8 - 2020)
Jenessa Jones Mystery Series Reading Order
Focusing on reporter Jenessa Jones, this series centers around deep-rooted secrets hidden within various residential properties. When Jenessa returns to her hometown of Hidden Valley, she is immediately swept up in historical mysteries, old family cover-ups, and romance. The story arc of Jenessa's personal life and career moves forward with each book, making it essential to follow the publication order. The series concludes with the fourth volume.
Follow this order for the Jenessa Jones Mysteries:
- The Lake House Secret (Book 1 - 2013)
- The Stone House Secret (Book 2 - 2014)
- The Boat House Secret (Book 3 - 2015)
- The Gate House Secret (Book 4 - 2018)
Standalone Novels and Historical Drama
Aside from her two primary mystery series, Debra Burroughs has written two standalones that showcase different facets of her storytelling style. These can be read at any point and do not require any prior knowledge of her other characters.
She Had No Choice (2011)
Unlike her modern mysteries, this debut novel is a multi-generational family drama set against historical backdrops. Heavily inspired by true stories from Burroughs’ own grandmother and maternal family history, it follows the Ramirez family as they escape the 1918 Spanish Influenza epidemic in Mexico and build a new life in California's Central Valley. It is an emotional, character-driven story about survival, resilience, and female strength.
Three Days in Seattle (2012)
This is a fast-paced standalone romantic suspense novel. The plot follows Kate McAllister, a photographer from Los Angeles who travels to Seattle to investigate her sister's sudden and suspicious disappearance. Caught in a web of danger, she must team up with a mysterious stranger and local detectives to find her sister before it is too late. It is a great choice for readers who want a complete, self-contained mystery with a strong romantic plot.
What to Know Before You Start
Debra Burroughs' books are frequently compared to a clean, romantic hybrid of classic detective shows and modern cozy mysteries. While they deal with serious subjects like murder and conspiracy, the focus remains on the puzzle of the investigation, the warmth of the relationships, and the growth of the female protagonists. If you want a cozy experience with a romantic touch, start with The Scent of Lies. If you prefer a historical family saga, start with She Had No Choice.