Who is the main character in Devon Delaney's Cook-Off Mystery series?

The main character is Sherry Oliveri (who goes by her married name, Sherry Frazzelle , in the early books). She is a divorced mother and grandmother who competes in cooking contests and solves murders alongside her Jack Russell Terrier, Chutney.

Do I need to read the Cook-Off Mystery series in order?

While each mystery is a standalone, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order . This allows you to follow Sherry's personal life, family dynamics, and her transition back to her maiden name, Oliveri.

What is the first book in Devon Delaney's series?

The first book is Expiration Date , published in 2018, where Sherry is accused of murdering a judge at a cooking contest.

Does the author Devon Delaney have a cooking background?

Yes! Devon Delaney is a real-life cooking contest champion who has won numerous national recipe contests, appliances, and cash prizes over two decades. She even won a grand prize for her poem, Ode to Pork Passion .

Are there recipes included in the Cook-Off Mystery books?

Yes, each book includes original, delicious recipes from Sherry's kitchen that readers can prepare at home.

Where is the Cook-Off Mystery series set?

Most of the books are set in a cozy Connecticut town , though some installments, like Serving Up Spite , take the protagonist to international locations like Iceland.

Devon Delaney Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Cook-Off Mystery Series

If you love cozy mysteries filled with small-town charm, culinary rivalries, and mouth-watering recipes, Devon Delaney's Cook-Off Mystery series is a perfect fit. The series revolves around Sherry Oliveri (introduced as Sherry Frazzelle in the early books), a divorced mother, grandmother, and competitive home cook based in a quaint Connecticut town. Alongside her loyal Jack Russell Terrier, Chutney, Sherry has a knack for finding murder at every recipe contest she enters.

To fully appreciate Sherry's personal journey, her evolving relationships, and her return to her maiden name, it is highly recommended to read this series in publication order. Below is the complete chronological list of the Cook-Off Mystery books:

Expiration Date (2018)
Final Roasting Place (2018)
Guilty as Charred (2019)
Eat, Drink and Be Wary (2020)
Double Chocolate Cookie Murder (2021)
A Half-Baked Alibi (2022)
Murder for Good Measure (2022)
Serving Up Spite (2023)
A Holiday for Homicide (2024)
Farm-Fresh and Fatal (2025)

Deep Dive: The Cook-Off Mystery Books in Detail

Each installment in the series places Sherry in a unique culinary environment, complete with quirky suspects and a selection of delicious recipes that you can recreate in your own kitchen.

1. Expiration Date (2018)

In the series opener, Sherry Frazzelle enters her signature pork tenderloin dish in a high-stakes cooking competition, eyeing the grand prize. However, when one of the judges is found dead, Sherry becomes a primary suspect. She must find the real killer to clear her name, showing off her natural sleuthing abilities for the first time.

2. Final Roasting Place (2018)

Sherry is competing in a local cable TV cook-off when the show's anchor is murdered with a tool belonging to Sherry's father's shop. With her father named as a top suspect, Sherry races against the clock to find the true culprit.

3. Guilty as Charred (2019)

Barbecue takes center stage in this third outing. Sherry finds herself investigating a homicide in the competitive grilling scene when a local rival turns up dead. The book highlights the fiery rivalries of backyard chefs.

4. Eat, Drink and Be Wary (2020)

Sherry and her brother Pep enter the New England Fall Food Fest. Although Sherry wins first place in her category, the joy is short-lived when a competitor is found dead with a fishhook in his neck. With Pep suspected by the police, Sherry has to unravel the truth.

5. Double Chocolate Cookie Murder (2021)

Set during a busy Thanksgiving weekend, Sherry agrees to judge a local cookie contest. The holiday takes a dark turn when her former home economics teacher is found dead at a marina, drawing Sherry into a complex web of old grudges.

6. A Half-Baked Alibi (2022)

Sherry continues her dual life of competitive cooking and amateur sleuthing. When a close friend is accused of murder, she must step in to investigate whether the victim actually faked his death or fell prey to a killer.

7. Murder for Good Measure (2022)

After a powerful nor'easter damages her family's store, Sherry's life gets more complicated when her new neighbors' nanny is murdered. Because the sous chef of her brother's food truck is implicated, Sherry dives into the case to clear his name.

8. Serving Up Spite (2023)

This entry takes readers on an international trip. Sherry travels to Iceland for a culinary showcase, exploring Nordic culture and local ingredients. The trip turns deadly, forcing her to solve a crime far from her Connecticut home.

9. A Holiday for Homicide (2024)

Sherry competes in a high-stakes, three-day televised holiday cooking show. When a production crew member is murdered on set, Sherry must juggle complex recipes and a televised murder investigation.

10. Farm-Fresh and Fatal (2025)

In this harvest-themed mystery, Sherry participates in a local festival celebrating regional farmers. The festive mood vanishes when a body is discovered, leaving Sherry to gather clues and harvest the truth.

What to Know Before You Start

Devon Delaney brings genuine authenticity to her novels. The author is a real-life competitive cooking champion who has spent over two decades winning appliances, cash prizes, and national accolades (including a grand prize for her poem, Ode to Pork Passion). This insider knowledge shines through in her detailed portrayals of cooking contests, from local cable shows to televised national events.

Readers should also note the main character's name changes. In the first few books, she is referred to as Sherry Frazzelle (her married name, though she is divorced). As the series progresses, she transitions back to her maiden name, Sherry Oliveri. The books are best enjoyed in order because of this character growth, the ongoing subplots involving her family, and the recurring appearances of her Jack Russell Terrier, Chutney.

Are the Books Standalones?

Yes, each book contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page. However, we recommend starting from the beginning with Expiration Date to follow the natural progression of Sherry's personal life, her career, and her relationships with the town's quirky residents.