Picture a storyteller who swapped Wall Street’s hustle for Maine’s coastal charm, crafting mysteries that blend suspense with a touch of home repair—meet Sarah Graves! This USA Today bestselling author, the pen name of Mary Squibb, has captivated cozy mystery fans with her knack for weaving intricate plots set in the quaint town of Eastport, Maine. Her signature series, Home Repair is Homicide, stars Jacobia ‘Jake’ Tiptree, a former financier turned amateur sleuth, whose adventures fixing up an 1823 Federal-style house mirror Graves’s own life.
With over two million books sold worldwide, Graves’s tales of murder and DIY have earned her a devoted following. Her unique blend of small-town intrigue and practical know-how makes her stories as comforting as a warm Maine lobster roll—yet thrilling enough to keep you up past bedtime!
The Making of Sarah Graves
Born in Wisconsin, Sarah Graves (a pseudonym for Mary Squibb) developed a love for storytelling early on. At just seven, she sold her first story to McCall’s magazine, though her tale of a lost squirrel was gently rejected for its implausibility. Undeterred, she honed her craft, inspired by a lifelong passion for reading. After a high-flying career in finance, Graves traded New York’s chaos for Eastport, Maine, where she and her husband, John, a musician and luthier, bought a ramshackle sea captain’s house. This move sparked her writing career, as the creaky floors and drafty windows of her home became the muse for Jake Tiptree’s adventures.
Sarah Graves’s Unforgettable Stories
Graves’s Home Repair is Homicide series, launched in 1998 with The Dead Cat Bounce, follows Jake Tiptree and her friend Ellie White as they unravel murders in Eastport. In this debut, Jake discovers a dead billionaire in her storeroom, kicking off a thrilling investigation. The series, spanning 16 novels, is known for its vivid Maine setting, witty dialogue, and clever integration of home repair tips—think fixing a leaky pipe while dodging a killer!
In 2015, Graves introduced the Lizzie Snow series with Winter at the Door, featuring a tough ex-Boston cop tackling crime in Bearkill, Maine. Her third series, Death by Chocolate, starting with Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake (2018), brings Jake and Ellie back as bakers at The Chocolate Moose, solving murders amid decadent desserts. Graves’s style shines in her ability to balance cozy charm with chilling suspense, making her books perfect for readers who love a side of mystery with their home-baked cookies.
Her latest, Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin (2025), continues the sweet-and-deadly vibe, with Jake and Ellie untangling a murder during Eastport’s quiet season. Each series showcases Graves’s knack for crafting relatable characters and plots that feel like a visit to a quirky coastal town.
Why Sarah Graves Matters
Sarah Graves has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre by blending everyday life—home repairs, baking, small-town gossip—with high-stakes drama. Her stories resonate with readers who crave escapism without sacrificing suspense. Featured in The New York Times Home & Garden and USA Today, her real-life renovation experiences lend authenticity to her work, inspiring DIY enthusiasts and mystery lovers alike. With over a million copies in print by 2012, Graves’s impact lies in her ability to make Maine’s rugged charm a character in itself, inviting readers to fall in love with Eastport’s salty air and secrets.
- Born: Wisconsin, USA
- Key Works: The Dead Cat Bounce (1998), Winter at the Door (2015), Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake (2018)
- Fun Fact: Graves plays the 5-string banjo and lives with her husband and a black Labrador Retriever.
Snag The Dead Cat Bounce and dive into Sarah Graves’s cozy-yet-thrilling world of mystery and Maine magic!