Books On Board

Emily James Books in Order

  • 24 Books
  • 2016 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
3 of 3 reading orders shown

Where to Start with Emily James

If you are new to the delightful world of Emily James, you have three distinct series to choose from. While they are all cozy, clean mysteries featuring quirky characters and amateur sleuths, they focus on very different settings and protagonists. The absolute best starting point for most readers is A Sticky Inheritance, the first full-length novel in her flagship Maple Syrup Mysteries. This series established James as a fan favorite in the cozy genre. Alternatively, if you prefer mobile culinary adventures, you can start with Sugar and Vice (the first Cupcake Truck Mystery), or if you are an animal lover, you can jump straight into the veterinary-themed sleuthing of A Tail of Murder (the first Cat and Mouse Whodunit).

The Maple Syrup Mysteries

Set in the fictional, charming small town of Fair Haven, Michigan, the Maple Syrup Mysteries follow Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes. Nicole is a former defense attorney who walks away from her stressful legal career when she inherits her late uncle's maple syrup farm. Instead of a quiet life boiling sap, she finds herself repeatedly untangling local murder mysteries. Each book features a clean mystery, light romance, quirky townspeople, and a real maple syrup recipe at the end.

Recommended Reading Order for Maple Syrup Mysteries

The series consists of 13 full-length novels and one prequel novella. While the publisher or store order might display the prequel Sapped first, Emily James explicitly recommends that readers start with the first novel and read the prequel afterward. Here is the recommended path:

  • Book 1: A Sticky Inheritance (2016) – The official entry point where Nicole inherits the farm and investigates her uncle's suspicious death.
  • Prequel Novella: Sapped (2016) – A prequel focusing on Nicole's uncle before his death. The author recommends reading this after Book 1 to avoid spoiling the setup of the main series.
  • Book 2: Bushwhacked (2016) – Nicole goes undercover at a local animal shelter to clear her friend of murder.
  • Book 3: Almost Sleighed (2017) – A festive winter mystery set during Fair Haven's busy holiday season.
  • Book 4: Murder on Tap (2017) – A locked-room style mystery where Nicole must find a killer trapped inside with her.
  • Book 5: Deadly Arms (2017) – Nicole tackles a mystery involving historical secrets and local town feuds.
  • Book 6: Capital Obsession (2017) – The investigation takes Nicole out of her comfort zone as she uncovers a conspiracy.
  • Book 7: Tapped Out (2017) – Tension rises in Fair Haven as a developer's plans lead to deadly consequences.
  • Book 8: Bucket List (2017) – A local treasure hunt takes a deadly turn, leaving Nicole to decipher the clues.
  • Book 9: End of the Line (2018) – Nicole must solve a cold case that suddenly heats up in the middle of winter.
  • Book 10: Slay Bells Ringing (2019) – A holiday-themed whodunit that tests Nicole's patience and deductive skills.
  • Book 11: Rooted in Murder (2019) – The secrets of Fair Haven's oldest families are unearthed during an excavation.
  • Book 12: Guilty or Knot (2019) – A wedding in Fair Haven is interrupted by a murder, and Nicole must clear the groom.
  • Book 13: Stumped (2020) – Nicole faces one of her most personal cases yet as she tries to protect her farm and her friends.

The Cupcake Truck Mysteries

For readers who enjoy culinary cozies, the Cupcake Truck Mysteries introduce Isabel Addington. Isabel is on the run from her abusive ex-husband and has rebuilt her life around a gourmet cupcake food truck. As she travels from town to town attending festivals, she finds herself forced to solve murders to protect her new identity and friends. Like the maple syrup books, these novels are clean and feature delicious cupcake recipes.

Publication and Chronological Order

This series should be read in chronological order to follow Isabel's overarching personal growth and her efforts to stay hidden from her past:

  1. Sugar and Vice (2018) – Isabel launches her truck and gets caught up in her first murder case.
  2. Dead Velvet Cake (2020) – A competition event turns deadly when one of Isabel's culinary rivals is poisoned.
  3. Gum Drop Dead (2020) – A holiday festival provides the backdrop for a tense investigation.
  4. A Sampling of Murder (2021) – Isabel must clear her own name when a customer falls ill after eating her cupcakes.
  5. Poison-Spiced Cupcakes (2021) – Isabel's past threatens to catch up with her as she investigates a murder at a fall festival.

The Cat and Mouse Whodunits

The Cat and Mouse Whodunits shift the spotlight to Zoe Stephenson, a dedicated veterinarian. Zoe moves back to her hometown to care for her injured sister, but her plans for a quiet veterinary practice are quickly disrupted by murder. Her unique knowledge of animal behavior and medical science makes her an excellent amateur sleuth, though it often puts her in the killer's sights.

Recommended Order of Cat and Mouse Books

Follow Zoe's story sequentially to watch her rebuild her veterinary practice and navigate her complicated personal relationships:

  1. A Tail of Murder (2022) – Zoe returns home and becomes the prime suspect in her cheating ex-fiancé's murder.
  2. Of Mice and Murder (2022) – Zoe investigates a death linked to a local pest control dispute.
  3. Barking Up the Wrong Tree (2023) – Trapped in a convention center during a blizzard, Zoe must find a killer among the guests.
  4. Catastrophe (2023) – Zoe searches for her newly discovered half-sister while dealing with a series of suspicious deaths.
  5. A Rash Decision (2024) – Zoe's medical expertise is put to the test when a mysterious rash is linked to a murder case.

What to Know Before You Start

Emily James's books are highly appreciated by readers looking for lighthearted, stress-free cozy mysteries. The tone across all three series is welcoming and friendly, avoiding heavy violence, explicit romance, and strong language. This makes her novels popular choices for both teenage readers and adults who prefer clean storytelling. Additionally, the integration of recipes (maple syrup treats in the Maple Syrup Mysteries and creative cupcakes in the Cupcake Truck Mysteries) adds a fun, interactive element to the reading experience. While you can technically read the mysteries in each book as standalones, reading them in order is highly recommended to appreciate the character development and overarching subplots.

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended reading order for the Maple Syrup Mysteries?

You should start with the first novel,

A Sticky Inheritance, and read the prequel novella, Sapped, immediately after. Following that, proceed numerically from Book 2 (Bushwhacked) through Book 13 (Stumped) to avoid spoilers and follow the character arcs properly.

Are Emily James's cozy mysteries clean?

Yes, all of Emily James's series—including the Maple Syrup Mysteries, Cupcake Truck Mysteries, and Cat and Mouse Whodunits—are clean. They contain no swearing, graphic violence, or explicit scenes, making them family-friendly.

Do the books include recipes?

Yes! Each book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries includes a real maple syrup recipe, and the Cupcake Truck Mysteries feature gourmet cupcake recipes for readers to try at home.

Can the books in the Cupcake Truck Mysteries be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, there is an ongoing storyline involving Isabel's flight from her abusive ex-husband. It is best to read them in order, starting with Sugar and Vice.

Who is the main character in the Cat and Mouse Whodunits?

The main protagonist is Zoe Stephenson, a veterinarian who uses her medical knowledge and animal insights to solve murder mysteries in her hometown.

Where are the Maple Syrup Mysteries set?

The series is set in the fictional, cozy small town of Fair Haven, Michigan, where the protagonist Nicole inherits her uncle's maple syrup farm.