How to Read Ellen Riggs's Cozy Mysteries
If you love small towns, quirky neighbors, and heroic animal sidekicks, Ellen Riggs is an author you need on your bookshelf. Her books are cozy mysteries at their finest: lighthearted, witty, and deeply celebratory of the bond between humans and their pets. Because her work spans multiple long-running series, finding the best place to start can seem daunting. This guide breaks down the reading order of her major universes so you can start sleuthing without missing a single clue.
The Flagship Journey: Bought-the-Farm Mystery Series
This is Ellen Riggs’s most famous series, set in the fictional, endearing town of Clover Grove. The story follows Ivy Galloway, a former corporate HR executive who leaves city life behind to run a hobby farm inn (Runaway Farm). Alongside her brilliant, crime-solving border collie Keats, Ivy continuously stumbles into local mysteries. While the core mysteries in each book are resolved by the final page, the character relationships, town development, and Ivy's romantic subplots evolve continuously. Reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the full story arc.
For the best experience, start with the prequel novella, A Dog with Two Tales, which recounts how Ivy rescued Keats and decided to relocate. From there, move directly to the first full-length novel, Dogcatcher in the Rye.
Publication & Chronological Order of Bought-the-Farm Mysteries
- A Dog with Two Tales (2020) - Book 0.5 (Prequel Novella)
- Dogcatcher in the Rye (2020) - Book 1
- Dark Side of the Moo (2020) - Book 2
- A Streak of Bad Cluck (2020) - Book 3
- Till the Cat Lady Sings (2020) - Book 4
- Alpaca Lies (2020) - Book 5
- Twas the Bite Before Christmas (2020) - Book 6
- Swine and Punishment (2020) - Book 7
- Don't Rock the Goat (2021) - Book 8
- Swan with the Wind (2021) - Book 9
- How to Get a Neigh with Murder (2021) - Book 10
- Tweet Revenge (2022) - Book 11
- For Love or Bunny (2022) - Book 12
- Between a Squawk and a Hard Place (2022) - Book 13
- Double Dog Dare (2022) - Book 14
- Deerly Departed (2022) - Book 15
- Think Outside the Fox (2023) - Book 16
- Mouse of Ill Repute (2023) - Book 17
- Bee All and End All (2024) - Book 18
- Sheep with One Eye Open (2024) - Book 19
- Roo the Day (2025) - Book 20
- Till Death Zoo Us Part (2025) - Book 21
Collaborative Romance: The Dog Town Series
Co-authored with Sandy Rideout, the Dog Town series shifts the focus to Dorset Hills, combining lighthearted romantic dynamics with cute canine companion themes. While these books are generally written as standalone stories, they share recurring town characters and minor background details. Reading them in order helps you track the evolution of the town and its couples. The prequel Ready or Not in Dog Town is the ideal entry point before launching into Bitter and Sweet in Dog Town.
- Ready or Not in Dog Town (2018) - Book 0.5 (Prequel)
- Bitter and Sweet in Dog Town (2018) - Book 1
- A Match Made in Dog Town (2018) - Book 2
- Lost and Found in Dog Town (2018) - Book 3
- Calm and Bright in Dog Town (2018) - Book 3.5 (Holiday Story)
- Tried and True in Dog Town (2018) - Book 4
- Yours and Mine in Dog Town (2018) - Book 5
- Nine Lives in Dog Town (2019) - Book 6
- Great and Small in Dog Town (2019) - Book 7
- Bold and Blue in Dog Town (2019) - Book 9
- Better or Worse in Dog Town (2020) - Book 10
Paranormal Mysteries: The Mystic Mutt Series
If you prefer your cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist, the Mystic Mutt Mysteries series is Ellen Riggs’s venture into paranormal cozies. These stories feature quirky pet sidekicks and ghostly encounters. The narrative flows best when read in order, beginning with the novella I Want You to Haunt Me.
- I Want You to Haunt Me (2021) - Book 0.5 (Prequel)
- You Can't Always Get What You Haunt (2021) - Book 1
- Any Way You Haunt It (2022) - Book 2
- I Only Haunt to Be with You (2022) - Book 3
- All I Haunt is You (2024) - Book 4
- Do You Haunt to Know a Secret? (2024) - Book 5
- All I Haunt for Christmas (2025) - Book 6
- I Haunt You Back (2026) - Book 7
What to Know Before You Start
Ellen Riggs writes quickly, and her books are designed for fast, comforting reading. Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind before you start reading:
First, the animal companions are the true stars of the show. In the Bought-the-Farm series, Keats the border collie has a distinct personality and plays an active role in solving cases. If you dislike books where animals are highly anthropomorphized or act as co-sleuths, these series might not fit your tastes. Second, the books are highly episodic, but the overarching personal arcs (especially regarding relationships and farm life) progress linearly. Skipping books can occasionally lead to minor spoilers regarding who is dating whom or updates to Runaway Farm. Finally, because the Dog Town series is co-authored with Sandy Rideout, the tone leans slightly more toward contemporary romance compared to the mystery-first focus of Bought-the-Farm.