Diana Orgain Books in Order

The Best Reading Path for Diana Orgain's Cozy Mysteries

With more than 30 books spanning multiple series, USA Today bestselling author Diana Orgain offers a diverse selection of lighthearted, humorous, and clean cozy mysteries. Because her series generally feature distinct protagonists, settings, and themes, you do not need to read her entire catalog in a single sequence. Instead, the most practical approach is to read each individual series in publication order. If you want to experience her main character developments and the crossovers that tie her universes together, there are a few primary starting points to choose from.

The Flagship Start: Maternal Instincts Mystery Series

If you want the quintessential Diana Orgain experience, start with Bundle of Trouble (2009), the debut novel in the Maternal Instincts Mystery series. This is Orgain's longest-running and most popular series, introducing Kate Connolly, a sleep-deprived new mother in San Francisco who repeatedly finds herself solving murders while managing diaper blowouts, breastfeeding mishaps, and stroller-bound investigations. Reading this series in order is highly recommended, as Kate’s daughter grows up and her personal relationships—particularly with her partner and PI mentor Vicente Domingo—evolve significantly over the course of the books.

The Reality TV Start: Love or Money Mysteries

For readers who prefer a mix of romance, satire, and suspense, A First Date with Death (2015) is the perfect alternative entry point. This series follows ex-cop Georgia Thornton as she joins a reality dating show called "Love or Money" only for contestants to start turning up dead. It is a tight, three-book series that should be read sequentially to follow the central romantic and career arcs of its protagonist.

The Pet-Lover's Start: Roundup Crew Mysteries

If you love quirky seaside towns and canine antics, start with Yappy Hour (also published as Murder at Yappy Hour). Set in the coastal town of Pacific Cove, California, this series centers on Rachel and her circle of dog-loving friends who meet at a local wine bar, using their pets' instincts to help sniff out murderers.

Maternal Instincts Mystery Series

The Maternal Instincts series is best read in order of publication to follow Kate Connolly's journey from pregnant amateur sleuth to an established private investigator juggling family life. Below is the complete listing of the novels and key novellas in this series:

1. Bundle of Trouble (2009) — Introduces Kate Connolly as she navigates postpartum life and her first murder case.
2. Motherhood is Murder (2010) — Kate balances mommy-and-me classes with a fresh investigation.
3. Formula for Murder (2011) — Kate digs into a suspicious death at a baby boutique.
4. Nursing a Grudge (2013) — A cozy mystery surrounding a local park and competitive parenting.
5. Pampered to Death (2017) — A spa retreat turns deadly for Kate and her mommy friends.
6. Killer Cravings (2018) — Kate handles murder cases while managing food cravings and family chaos.
7. A Deathly Rattle (2020) — The stakes rise as Kate's investigations clash with her family routine.
8. Rockabye Murder (2020) — A nursery rhyme-themed mystery that keeps Kate on her toes.
9. Prams and Poison (2021) — Also published as Pram & Poison, this entry sees Kate uncovering secrets in San Francisco.
10. Lethal Lullaby (2021) — A bedtime investigation that leads to a dangerous confrontation.
11. Cereal Killer (2021) — A playful breakfast-themed title packed with local secrets and twists.
12. Double Trouble (2022) — Kate faces twice the danger as her past investigations catch up with her.
13. Murder Comes Crawling (2023) — As the babies start crawling, Kate is forced to hunt down a elusive killer.
14. Drowning in Diapers (2023) — Often classified by fans as Book 10.5 or a companion novella, this story highlights Kate's struggle to balance her growing PI business with domestic life.
15. Dying for a Nap (2024) — Kate faces the ultimate challenge of sleep deprivation and a high-profile case.
16. Pumpkin Pie Prison (2024) — A festive autumn-themed novella that fits neatly at the end of the current run.

Love or Money Mystery Series

This series blends reality TV drama with cozy mystery tropes, following ex-cop Georgia Thornton. These books must be read in order as the romance and career changes progress chronologically:

1. A First Date with Death (2015) — Georgia joins the reality show Love or Money as a contestant.
2. A Second Chance at Murder (2016) — Georgia returns to the spotlight under dangerous circumstances.
3. Third Time's a Crime (2017) — The thrilling conclusion to Georgia's reality TV saga.

Roundup Crew Mystery Series

This series features Rachel and a lovable group of dog owners solving crimes in Pacific Cove. Note that the first book has been published under two different titles, which often confuses new readers:

1. Yappy Hour / Murder at Yappy Hour (2015) — Rachel's sister takes over a dog-friendly wine bar, and a local disappears.
2. Trigger Yappy (2016) — The dog-loving crew investigates a suspicious shooting in their coastal town.
3. Fleeced at Yappy Hour (2023) — The Roundup Crew returns to investigate a murder involving local shearers and pet owners.

iWitch Mystery Series

For readers who enjoy a touch of the paranormal, this trilogy follows songwriter Maeve O’Dare. After moving to Wisteria Pines, Maeve discovers she has magical roots and teams up with a talking dog named Wanda, who is actually an enchanted TV sitcom star:

1. A Witch Called Wanda (2017)
2. I Wanda Put a Spell on You (2017)
3. Brewing up Murder (2017)

Cooking Up Murder / Gluten-Free Mystery Series

This series centers on best friends Mona Reilly and Vicki Lawton, who run a jam-making business called Jammin' Honey. They solve local crimes while keeping their bakery products strictly gluten-free:

1. Murder as Sticky as Jam (2018)
2. Murder as Sweet as Honey (2021)
3. Murder as Savory as Biscuits (2021)

Gold Strike Mysteries

This series follows historical restoration projects and gold-seeking mysteries in historic California towns:

1. Dying for Gold (2021)
2. Runaway Murder: Gold Strike (2021) — Also known as A Murder on the Rails Mystery.
3. Murder at the Clock Tower: Gold Strike (2021) — Also known as A Golden Restoration Mystery.

Collaborative & Crossover Series

The Killer Foursome Crossovers

Diana Orgain teamed up with cozy mystery authors Leslie Langtry, Arlene McFarlane, and Traci Andrighetti to create the Killer Foursome Mystery series. This crossover series brings together the protagonists from each author's respective books: Kate Connolly (Diana Orgain), Merry Wrath (Leslie Langtry), Valentine Beaumont (Arlene McFarlane), and Franki Amato (Traci Andrighetti). These books should be read after you have read at least the first few books in the Maternal Instincts series to fully appreciate Kate's character:

1. 4 Sleuths & A Bachelorette (2022)
2. 4 Sleuths & A Burlesque Dancer (2022)
3. 4 Sleuths & A Barnstormer (2024)

Co-Authoring with Laura Childs

Diana Orgain co-authored Gilt Trip (2013), which is the 11th book in the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mystery series created by Laura Childs. While it fits within Childs' established universe, Orgain's voice adds a fresh layer of cozy plotting that fans of both authors will enjoy.

Chronological Caveats: The Vicente Domingo Story

For readers who want to explore every corner of the Maternal Instincts universe, there is a standalone short story titled Destruction (2014). This story features Vicente Domingo, a private investigator who acts as Kate Connolly’s mentor, business partner, and "baby daddy" in the Maternal Instincts series. The story focuses on Vicente's solo case prior to the events of the main series, investigating a cheating husband for a client named Anjie Thrasher. While it can be read as a standalone prequel, it is best enjoyed after reading the first few Maternal Instincts novels to build appreciation for Vicente's character background.