Where to Start with Elizabeth Spann Craig
If you are new to the cozy, humorous mystery worlds created by Elizabeth Spann Craig, the best place to start depends heavily on your favorite tropes. However, most readers begin with either her long-running Myrtle Clover Mysteries or her popular Southern Quilting Mysteries. Both series offer cozy environments, quirky side characters, and a strong sense of Southern community. All of Craig's books can technically be read as standalone mysteries, as the central puzzle in each book is fully resolved. However, to appreciate the character relationships and personal growth over time, reading them in publication order is highly recommended.
The Myrtle Clover Mysteries
This is Craig's most famous and longest-running series, starring Myrtle Clover, a headstrong octogenarian who routinely out-sleuths the local police in the fictional town of Bradley, North Carolina. Although A Dyeing Shame was written first and originally published by a small press in 2006, Pretty Is as Pretty Dies (2009) serves as the official introduction to the series under traditional publishing. For the best reading experience, it is generally recommended to start with Pretty Is as Pretty Dies, but following the established publication sequence ensures you will not miss any character developments.
Myrtle Clover Mysteries Order
- A Dyeing Shame (2006)
- Pretty is as Pretty Dies (2009)
- Progressive Dinner Deadly (2011)
- A Body in the Backyard (2012)
- Death at a Drop-In (2013)
- A Body at Book Club (2014)
- Death Pays a Visit (2014)
- A Body at Bunco (2015)
- Murder on Opening Night (2015)
- Cruising for Murder (2016)
- Cooking is Murder (2017)
- A Body in the Trunk (2017)
- Cleaning is Murder (2018)
- Edit to Death (2019)
- Hushed Up (2019)
- A Body in the Attic (2020)
- Murder on the Ballot (2020)
- Death of a Suitor (2021)
- A Dash of Murder (2022)
- Death at a Diner (2022)
- A Myrtle Clover Christmas (2022)
- Murder at a Yard Sale (2023)
- Doom and Bloom (2023)
- A Toast to Murder (2024)
- Mystery Loves Company (2024)
Southern Quilting Mysteries
Written under the name Elizabeth Craig (or Elizabeth Spann Craig in later self-published editions), this series features Beatrice Coleman, a retired folk-art museum curator who relocates to Dappled Hills, North Carolina, to enjoy quilting and a slower pace of life. Naturally, she keeps stumbling upon bodies instead. This series is famous for its warm community spirit and authentic quilting references.
Southern Quilting Mysteries Order
- Quilt or Innocence (2012)
- Knot What It Seams (2013)
- Quilt Trip (2013)
- Shear Trouble (2014)
- Tying the Knot (2015)
- Fall to Pieces (2017)
- Patch of Trouble (2017)
- Pressed for Time (2017)
- Rest in Pieces (2018)
- On Pins and Needles (2018)
- Fit To Be Tied (2019)
- Embroidering the Truth (2020)
- Knot a Clue (2020)
- Quilt-Ridden (2021)
- Needled to Death (2021)
- A Notion to Murder (2022)
- Behind the Seams (2023)
- Quilt Complex (2023)
Village Library Mysteries
For book lovers, this series centers on Ann Beckett, a dedicated librarian in the quiet town of Whitby, North Carolina. Ann uses her research skills and love for local history to solve crimes that stump the police. It is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries set in bookstores, libraries, and literary circles.
Village Library Mysteries Order
- Checked Out (2019)
- Overdue (2019)
- Borrowed Time (2020)
- Hush-Hush (2020)
- Where There's a Will (2021)
- Frictional Characters (2022)
- Spine-Tingling (2022)
- A Novel Idea (2023)
- End of Story (2023)
- Booked Up (2024)
- Out of Circulation (2024)
Memphis BBQ Mysteries (As Riley Adams)
Writing under the pen name Riley Adams, Craig serves up a savory slice of Memphis, Tennessee. The series revolves around Lulu Taylor, the owner of a popular barbecue restaurant, who handles slow-cooked ribs and fast-paced murder cases with equal skill. These books are known for their mouthwatering food descriptions and lively urban-cozy atmosphere.
Memphis BBQ Mysteries Order
- Delicious and Suspicious (2010)
- Finger Lickin' Dead (2011)
- Hickory Smoked Homicide (2011)
- Rubbed Out (2013)
Sunset Ridge Mystery Books
This series introduces readers to Sam Prescott, a Type-A personality and former tech company owner who moves to a peaceful mountain community in North Carolina for a fresh start. This series showcases a more modern, fast-paced sleuthing style while retaining the comforting cozy charm of Craig's previous series.
Sunset Ridge Mystery Order
- The Type-A Guide to Solving Murder (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Elizabeth Spann Craig is a hybrid author who transitioned from traditional publishing (with publishers like Midnight Ink and Penguin) to fully independent self-publishing. She reclaimed the rights to many of her earlier titles, which explains why book details and covers might differ slightly depending on where you purchase them. Rest assured, the text of the mysteries remains the same. Her books do not contain graphic violence, strong language, or explicit content, making them classic cozy mysteries that focus on puzzle-solving, humor, and friendly community dynamics.