Where to Start Reading Elise Sax
For the absolute best introduction to Elise Sax’s trademark brand of hilarious mystery and romance, you should start with her signature character, Gladie Burger. The ideal entry point is An Affair to Dismember, the first book in the Matchmaker Mysteries. While there is a prequel novella, Road to Matchmaker, it was published much later and is best enjoyed after you have already fallen in love with Gladie’s chaotic world. Starting with the first full-length novel ensures you meet the eccentric cast of Cannes, California, exactly as the author intended.
If you prefer contemporary romance over murder mysteries, the standalone novel Switched or the quick, steamy novellas of the Five Wishes series are fantastic alternative starting points that showcase Sax's lighter romantic comedy writing.
The Core Universe: Gladie Burger’s Matchmaker Journeys
The crown jewel of Elise Sax’s bibliography is the story of Gladie Burger, a matchmaking novice who constantly finds herself stumbling over dead bodies while trying to sort out her own disastrous love life. This storyline is split into two distinct eras:
1. The Matchmaker Mysteries (The Single Years)
This 12-book series introduces Gladie as she moves to Cannes, California, to work for her psychic grandmother, Zelda. Throughout the series, Gladie is caught in a hilarious and frustrating tug-of-war between police chief Spencer Bolton and the charming, dangerous neighbor, Silas. Note that the early books in this series were published under alternate titles depending on the edition (e.g., Matchpoint is also known as Citizen Pain; Love Game as The Wizard of Saws; and Playing the Field as Field of Screams).
2. The Matchmaker Marriage Mysteries (The Married Years)
Starting with Gored of the Rings, this follow-up series continues Gladie's adventures after she finally ties the knot. Marriage hasn't calmed her life down; if anything, the mysteries get wilder, and the local crime rate in Cannes remains hilariously high. You should absolutely finish the original 12-book series before starting these sequels to avoid massive spoilers regarding her love life.
The Connected Spinoffs: Goodnight and Agatha Bright
Elise Sax has built a shared cozy mystery universe where characters, references, and settings overlap. Once you've spent time in Cannes, you can explore these sister series:
Goodnight Mysteries
Set in the quirky town of Goodnight, New Mexico, this series follows Matilda Dare. Matilda is a protagonist who shares Gladie’s knack for getting into trouble and finding love amid chaos. While it is a spinoff of the Matchmaker Mysteries, you can read it independently. The series begins with Die Noon and currently runs through five books, including the unlisted fifth installment, Wuthering Frights.
Agatha Bright Mysteries
For readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural, this spinoff brings a witchy element to the universe. Set in Sea Breeze, California, the series follows Agatha Bright. Because Agatha's adventures feature crossover elements and appearances from both Gladie Burger’s and Matilda Dare’s worlds, it is highly recommended to read at least the first few books of both the Matchmaker and Goodnight series before diving into The Fear Hunter.
Romance and Suspense Series
Beyond her cozy mystery universe, Sax has written several highly entertaining romance and romantic suspense projects:
- Five Wishes (Wish Upon a Stud): A series of fast-paced, sexy romantic comedy novellas starting with Going Down. They follow different couples as their wishes come to life in unexpected, funny ways.
- Three More Wishes: A companion trilogy to the Five Wishes books, maintaining the same lighthearted, sexy, and humorous tone.
- Operation Billionaire: A fun romantic comedy trilogy following three women determined to secure their futures by marrying billionaires, only to find love gets in the way of their schemes.
- Partners in Crime Thrillers: A departure into romantic suspense, this series follows a couple navigating dangerous conspiracies, secrets, and high-stakes action.
What to Know Before You Start
Elise Sax's mysteries are heavily inspired by the zany, high-energy style of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Expect over-the-top comedy, eccentric grandmothers, ridiculous town disputes, and highly active love triangles. The mysteries themselves are light and fun rather than gritty or dark, making them perfect escapist reads. While most of the books can be read as standalone mysteries, the character relationships, romantic subplots, and recurring jokes develop significantly over time. Reading in publication order will give you the most satisfying character arcs.