How to Read Edie Claire’s Books
Edie Claire is a USA Today bestselling author who transitioned from working as a veterinarian to crafting engaging, humorous cozy mysteries and romantic fiction. Her work is celebrated for its warm tone, family-focused dynamics, witty dialogue, and frequent appearances of animal companions. Claire writes across distinct genres: cozy mystery, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal fiction, and standalone women's fiction. To get the most out of her interconnected character arcs and evolving settings, reading her series in chronological order is highly recommended.
The Leigh Koslow Mystery Series
The Leigh Koslow series is Edie Claire's signature cozy mystery collection. The books follow Leigh Koslow, a Pittsburgh-based advertising copywriter who has a knack for running into dead bodies. With the help of her recurring cast of family and friends—most notably her eccentric Aunt Bess and her veterinarian father, Randall Koslow (inspired by Claire's own veterinary background)—Leigh reluctantly becomes an amateur sleuth. The series features tight-knit community dynamics, clever whodunit plots, and plenty of animal sidekicks.
Readers should note that the series experienced a ten-year hiatus between the fifth book, Never Tease a Siamese (2002), and the sixth, Never Con a Corgi (2012). When the series was revived, the timeline jumped forward to reflect the characters aging in real-time, with Leigh navigating new life stages like marriage and motherhood. For the best experience, read these in publication order, keeping an eye out for a chronologically misplaced short story.
Leigh Koslow Reading Order
- Never Buried (1998) - Leigh's first case starts when she finds her neighbor's corpse in a local yard.
- Never Sorry (1999) - A mystery surrounding psychiatric secrets and suspicious deaths.
- Never Preach Past Noon (2000) - Leigh gets caught up in a web of family secrets and lies at a local church.
- Never Neck at Niagara (2001/2011) - Chronological Book 3.5. Originally published in the anthology ...And the Dying is Easy, this short story follows newlyweds Leigh and Warren to Niagara Falls, where Leigh ends up caught in a murder plot. It can be read right after Book 3.
- Never Kissed Goodnight (2001) - Leigh looks into the mysterious death of an old high school classmate.
- Never Tease a Siamese (2002) - A mystery filled with feline antics and neighborhood drama.
- Never Con a Corgi (2012) - The series returns after a decade-long gap; Leigh is now married and has a family to protect.
- Never Haunt a Historian (2013) - Historical research and present-day crimes collide.
- Never Thwart a Thespian (2014) - Local theater becomes the stage for a real-life murder.
- Never Steal a Cockatiel (2015) - A pet shop and a missing bird draw Leigh into another investigation.
- Never Mess with Mistletoe (2016) - Holiday cheer is disrupted by a seasonal mystery.
- Never Murder a Birder (2017) - Birdwatching turns deadly in this outdoor cozy mystery.
- Never Nag Your Neighbor (2019) - Property disputes and neighborhood secrets lead to a final puzzle.
The Pacific Horizons Series
The Pacific Horizons series consists of contemporary romance novels set in breathtaking coastal locales, from the glaciers of Alaska to the beaches of Hawaii and British Columbia. While each book features a standalone romance, the series is connected by its focus on characters who are healing from deep personal tragedies, heartbreaks, and family secrets. The restorative power of nature is a major theme throughout the books, with humpback whales and wild landscapes serving as backdrops for emotional recovery. These books are best read in order to appreciate the subtle geographical links and character developments.
Pacific Horizons Reading Order
- Alaskan Dawn (2015)
- Leaving Lana'i (2015)
- Maui Winds (2016)
- Glacier Blooming (2019)
- Tofino Storm (2020)
The Hawaiian Shadows Series
For readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural, the Hawaiian Shadows series is a young adult paranormal romance. Set on the island of Oahu, the story centers on seventeen-year-old Kali, who has the ability to see the spirits of the deceased. During a spring break trip, she meets Zane, the ghost of a teenage surfer who cannot remember his death. The series follows their growing bond and their search for balance (known as 'Lokahi') while unraveling dark secrets from the past. The series forms a continuous story arc and must be read in order.
Hawaiian Shadows Reading Order
- Wraith (2011)
- Empath (2013)
- Lokahi (2016)
- The Warning (2017)
The Fated Loves Series
Originally published and known as contemporary romantic suspense novels, Edie Claire's Fated Loves books are closely themed around tragedy, resilience, and second chances at love. Long Time Coming remains one of Claire's most popular works, achieving millions of downloads and earning critical acclaim for its emotional depth.
Fated Loves Reading Order
- Long Time Coming (2003)
- Meant to Be (2004)
- Borrowed Time (2011)
Standalone Novels & Plays
In addition to her multi-book series, Claire has written standalone works of fiction and even a holiday play. These are entirely self-contained and can be read at any point.
- See You in Bells (2008) - A standalone holiday stage play.
- The Mud Sisters (2012) - A contemporary fiction novel focusing on sisterhood and domestic life.
- Work, Blondes. Work! (2014) - A lighthearted, humorous look at modern workplace dynamics.