Denise Swanson Books in Order

Where to Start with Denise Swanson

For readers diving into Denise Swanson's cozy mystery catalog, the best starting point is undoubtedly Scumble River, Illinois. This fictional town serves as the heart of Swanson's writing career. The ideal entry novel is Murder of a Small-Town Honey (2000), which introduces school psychologist Skye Denison. Starting here allows you to experience Skye's character growth, her evolving romantic relationships, and the shifting town dynamics in the exact order the author intended.

If you prefer a culinary twist, starting with the Chef-to-Go Mysteries beginning with Tart of Darkness (2018) is another excellent option. It is lighter, faster-paced, and set in the college town of Normalton, Illinois, which shares a universe with Scumble River. For those who enjoy a retail setting, Devereaux's Dime Store Mysteries set in Shadow Bend, Missouri, starts with Little Shop of Homicide (2012) and offers an entirely independent storyline focused on shopkeeper Dev Sinclair.

1. The Scumble River Universe

This is Denise Swanson's signature universe, split into the original series and a sequel/reboot series that follows the protagonist as her life enters a new phase. In addition, there are essential short stories that flesh out the town's lore.

Original Scumble River Mysteries

The original series features Skye Denison, a school psychologist who reluctantly returns to her quirky hometown of Scumble River after a bad breakup and career troubles. Each book in this 19-novel run follows a "Murder of a..." naming convention. They should be read in publication order, as the overarching romance and character development build continuously:

1. Murder of a Small-Town Honey (2000)
2. Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (2001)
3. Murder of a Sleeping Beauty (2002)
4. Murder of a Snake in the Grass (2003)
5. Murder of a Barbie and Ken (2003)
6. Murder of a Pink Elephant (2004)
7. Murder of a Smart Cookie (2005)
8. Murder of a Real Bad Boy (2006)
9. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde (2007)
10. Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry (2008)
11. Murder of a Royal Pain (2009)
12. Murder of a Wedding Belle (2010)
13. Murder of a Bookstore Babe (2011)
14. Murder of a Creped Suzette (2011)
15. Murder of the Cat's Meow (2012)
16. Murder of a Stacked Librarian (2013)
17. Murder of a Needled Knitter (2014)
18. Murder of an Open Book (2015)
19. Murder of a Cranky Catnapper (2016)

Welcome Back to Scumble River

After wrapping up the original run, Swanson continued Skye's story under a new banner: Welcome Back to Scumble River. In this continuation, Skye is now married to police chief Wally Boyd and is a mother to twins, working as a police consultant. The titles change format, but the continuity remains intact. Read these after finishing the first 19 books:

1. Dead in the Water (2017)
2. Die Me a River (2018)
3. Come Homicide or High Water (2019)
4. Body Over Troubled Waters (2021)

Scumble River Short Stories & Anthologies

Swanson has written short stories set in Scumble River. While not strictly mandatory to understand the main novels, they offer fun side investigations:

• "Not a Monster of a Chance" (2001): Originally published in the anthology ...And the Dying is Easy. This story takes place during Skye's summer job as a lifeguard, dealing with a local lake monster legend. Chronologically, it fits early in the series, between books 1 and 2.
• "Dead Blondes Tell No Tales" (2005): Originally published in the anthology Drop-Dead Blonde and later released as a standalone e-special in 2012. It features another classic Skye Denison investigation.

2. Devereaux's Dime Store Mysteries

This standalone series takes readers to Shadow Bend, Missouri, where Dev (Devereaux) Sinclair runs her family's old-fashioned dime store. It features a fun love triangle and a strong focus on local merchant struggles. There is no direct crossover with Scumble River, meaning you can read this series completely independently:

1. Little Shop of Homicide (2012)
2. Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death (2013)
3. Dead Between the Lines (2014)
4. Dying for a Cupcake (2015)
5. Between a Book and a Hard Place (2016)
6. Lions and Tigers and Murder, Oh My (2017)
7. Fly Me to the Tomb (2021)

3. Chef-to-Go Mysteries

Set in the college town of Normalton, Illinois, this series stars Dani Sloan, a passionate cook who starts a catering and meal-delivery service. The series stands on its own, but cozy mystery fans will appreciate subtle nods and crossover character appearances from the Scumble River series, confirming they share a fictional universe. The reading order is:

1. Tart of Darkness (2018)
2. Leave No Scone Unturned (2019)
3. Winner Cake All (2020)
4. Chili Chili Bang Bang (2023)

4. Denise Swanson's Romances & Paranormal Cozy Series

In addition to her traditional cozy mysteries, Swanson has written contemporary romance series and a paranormal cozy series, which are ideal for readers looking for more romance and magic.

Change of Heart Series (Contemporary Romance)

This series centers around small-town friends looking for fresh starts in their romantic lives. Read them in this order:

1. Sweet Girl Undone (2015, Prequel)
2. Good Girl Overboard (2015)
3. Lucky Girl Hits the Jackpot (2015)
4. Smart Girl Swept Away (2015)

Delicious Series (Contemporary Romance)

A short, food-themed romance series:

1. Sinfully Delicious (2016)
2. Dangerously Delicious (2018)

Stephanie Danielson Books

A short fiction series following the adventures of Stephanie Danielson:

1. A Finger in Every Lie (2015)
2. All I Want for Christmas is You...Dead! (2015)

Forever Charmed Mysteries (Paranormal Cozy)

Swanson's foray into the paranormal cozy subgenre features Lexie Green, who inherits a mysterious property in Echo Springs, Kansas, only to find the locals believe she possesses magical protective powers. The first book is:

1. A Call to Charms (2019)

What to Know Before You Start

Denise Swanson's background as a school psychologist for 22 years heavily influences her writing. Her protagonists are highly analytical, empathetic, and relatable, dealing with real-world relationship struggles alongside their amateur sleuthing. While the mysteries are solved by the end of each book, the personal lives of Skye, Dev, and Dani evolve dramatically. Reading out of order will spoil major romantic resolutions, marriages, and life developments. Therefore, sticking strictly to the publication order for each individual series is highly recommended.