There are many cozy mystery authors who have series that have a culinary theme. Because the list of culinary-themed cozy mysteries is so long, I have decided to devote several blogs in order to provide more than just the "grocery store list" approach of just listing the names of the authors. So, if you don't see your favorite culinary-theme cozy mystery series in this blog, rest assured that there will be more authors in the near future!
Avery Aames writes the Cheese Shop Mystery Series which has, as its sleuth, the co-owner of the cheese shop.
Riley Adams (aka Elizabeth Spann Craig) pens the Memphis Barbeque Mystery Series which (of course!) takes place in Tennessee.
Robin Allen writes the Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop Mystery Series which is set in Austin, and features a health inspector.
Connie Archer pens the Soup Lover's Mystery Series. It is set in a little Vermont skiing town.
Sandra Balzo writes the Maggie Thorsen Mystery Series which takes place in Wisconsin, where Maggie owns a coffee shop.
Jessica Beck writes the Donut Shop Mystery Series which features the owner of Donut Hearts Coffee Shop as the sleuth… (Doughnut recipes are included!)
Claudia Bishop writes two series, one of which is the new Dr. McKenzie series about a veterinarian and his wife. The other series is her hugely successful Hemlock Falls Series. This series features two sisters, one who owns the Hemlock Falls Inn and the other who is the Inn's chef.
Miranda Bliss writes the Cooking Class Mystery Series which features two best friends who get involved with solving murders when they venture into a world previously unknown to them: the kitchen! Neither of these two can cook, so they take a Cooking Class (thus the title of the series) in which they meet their side-kick sleuth… the cooking class instructor!
Michael Bond is the author of the Monsieur Pamplemousse Series (as well as the children's Paddington Bear series!) Monsieur Pamplemousse, who along with his bloodhound (Pommes Frites) solves crimes when not critiquing restaurants. (Some of the books have recipes, others, don't.)
Jacklyn Brady (aka Sherry Lewis) writes the Piece of Cake Mystery Series which is set in New Orleans, and features Rita Lucero, a pastry chef.
Joanna Carl writes the Chocoholic Cozy Mystery Series, and need I say more!?! I must warn you, though… If you are trying to lose weight, and you have the same penchant for chocolate as I do… read these books on a full stomach! (Carl is aka Eve K. Sandstrom)
Sammi Carter writes the Candy Shop Mystery Series which features an ex-lawyer who now owns the Divinity Candy Shop in Colorado. Recipes are included!
Bailey Cates (aka Cricket McRae) writes the Magical Bakery Mystery Series which takes place in Savannah, Georgia. This is a paranormal mystery series.
Chris Cavender (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, & Tim Myers): Pizza Mystery Series
Laura Childs writes the Cackleberry Club Mystery Series, which is set in a delightfully cozy cafe that has a book-nook corner and knitting shop area.
Mary Jane Clark : Piper Donovan Wedding Cake Mystery Series
Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Gourmet De-Lite Mystery Series (Low calorie recipes are included.)
Susan Conant, along with her daughter, Jessica Conant-Park writes the Gourmet Girl Mystery Series…
Isis Crawford is the author of the Mystery with Recipes Series that features two sisters who own the Little Taste of Heaven Catering and Bake Shop in New York. (Some of you might be familiar with more of Crawford's work as Barbara Block… and her Robin Light mystery series.)
Carol Culver (aka Grace Carroll) pens the Pie Shop Mystery Series which features Hanna Denton as the sleuth who moves back home to take over her grandmother's pie shop.
Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear Catering Mystery Series is probably one of the most recognizable culinary theme cozy mystery series. The series is set in a picturesque area of Colorado and features Goldy (the caterer) who provides the best catered food in town and manages to solve a lot of the best crimes in town, also! (The books include recipes.)
Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mystery Series which centers around Sophie Winston, a… (What else?!) domestic diva! Since the series is a culinary mystery series, it includes recipes to follow along with the clues…
Lesley A. Diehl writes the Microbrewers Mystery Series which features Hera Knighsbridge, a master brewer in New York…
MICROBREWERS MYSTERY Series:
Main Character: Hera Knightsbridge, Master Brewer, New York
Pamela DuMond writes the Annie Graceland Mystery Series which features a psychic owner of a bakery…
♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦
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Thank you so much! These are the kinds of books I love reading but have never thought of a proper way to describe them. The list of authors will keep me hunting in bookshops and my local library for ages. What a great idea for a website.
Jess,
I am so glad you found the site…. I love hunting around for books, also. Between all of the authors on the site… you will definitely be kept busy for a while!
Don’t forget about Joanne Fluke & Tamar Myers
Hi KR,
Thank you for the comment….
There are so many cozy culinary authors that I decided to write different sections for the theme… Joanne Fluke is in the second part of the culinary theme and Tamar Myers is in the fifth section.
Thanks what a great website, I love cozy mysteries with recipes in them. Great to expand my current range of authors.
Hi Rhyl,
Glad you found the site… and that you’re enjoying it!
Try the Janet Laurence books, such as A Deepe Coffyn & A Tasty Way to Die – you will learn a lot about how the wealthy used to eat in the past! And there’ll be a few corpses along the way.
Hi Carrie,
Sounds like a great endorsement of Janet Laurence’s books! Thanks for letting us know how much you enjoy them.
I am so glad I found this site. I live in the UK and found Joanne Flukes first book “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” in a local charity shop, and now I’m absolutely hooked. I did a bit of googling and found this site, I’ve purchased Sammi Carter’s first book off eBay and hope to receive that soon.
I am really keen on the cooking ones as I love anything to do with baking, especially cakes etc, and I’m very interested in American recipes, so these books are perfect!
This site is fab, I’m addicted!
Hi Katie,
It sounds like you really do like the culinary cozy mysteries! Good for you that there happen to be so many…
I’m glad you found the site, and that you are able to find some of these books at local charity shops… the more money you save on books, the more you can spend on baking!
Thank you so much for this website! I have just added it to my favorites and will check back often. Keep up the good work and thanks again!
Glad you found the site! Thank you for the wonderful words of praise…
Hi!
I write you from Spain (I apologize for my english level). I love cozy mysteries and of course I love your site, I learn a lot reading it. Thanks.
Jack
Hi Jack,
First of all, let me say that your English is great! Don’t apologize, be proud of it!
Also, thank you for the very nice note about the site. I am so glad that you are finding it helpful.
I come to my Cozy Mystery List before I step foot into the library. I’ve even typed out a book shopping list to keep in my purse at all times. Thanks so much for being my constant companion at the library!
Hi Cindy,
I always enjoy hearing from Cozy Mystery site readers who are enjoying it… AND… It sounds like you are! I’m glad you found the site.
Great website! Thanks for all of your hard work on the site; I really enjoy it!
Hi Cherri,
I’m glad you enjoy the site. It has become quite a hobby of mine!
I just found this website. This will save me tons of time. Thanks so much for doing this. I do carry a list after buying same books repeatedly. This is an excellent compilation.
I actually just bought the same book for the second time. Would you believe that someone who keeps all of these chronological lists would make that mistake?!? I don’t know what I was thinking!
I don’t know just how I do, it but I’ve never bought the same book twice and I never have to bring a list with me. I can rattle off all 16 and counting series I collect off the top of my head. I can’t rattle off the titles, mind you, but I can tell you at a glance if I have the book you’re asking me about
ty for the great site, I came looking for a new series as I’m very close to being at the point of collecting the books of my current series as the paperbacks come out. I’m thinking of trying Laura Childs next. I already read a Sammi Carter haven’t bought any yet but she’s on my to buy list. I have one Laura Levine so far, but I like to have 4 going at a time so guess I’ll try finding one more yet.
Chelle
Thanks so much for this site! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Melissa. I’m glad you’re enjoying it…
Hi, I’m Laya from the Philippines. Thanks for this site! It helps me keep up-to-date on my favorite cozies.
The Goldy Bear series is one of my favorites 
Hi Laya,
I follow Davidson’s Goldy Bear series, also. I am not quite caught-up yet, but hope to get there soon…
Thanks to you I have been introduced to so many new authors and series. I don’t know what I did before I found your website. Again, thanks a bunch!!
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for the very kind comments about the site. I have to add that thanks to a lot of site readers, I have found new authors, also!
Great website – thanks so much for doing this. Another author for your culinary list – Chris Cavender – A Slice of Murder; about a pizza shop. Fun read!
Thank you, Susan, for reminding me about Chris Cavender… I don’t know how I forgot to include the latest addition to the Chris Cavender, Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, & Tim Myers repertoire!
I highly recommend Ellen Hart’s series featuring Jane Lawless, a restaurant owner.
Hi Kalena,
Thanks for recommending Ellen Hart. I have her included in page two of the Culinary theme…
I think Rosamunde Pilcher does a good job with the books she has referring to culinary expertise, without them falling into the “cozy mystery” category, or mostly not. Also, I can’t help but recommend “The Last Chinese Chef”–it’s a GREAT read in my book.
Thanks for telling us about Rosamunde Pilcher and The Last Chinese Chef, Karyl Lee.
Thanks so much for this website! I’ve created a much smaller database of my own that tracks my favorite cozy authors, but your site is amazing. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Kanya, for the kind words.
I have my favorite authors on a Microsoft Word list on my desktop. I am always adding and deleting authors… I hate deleting, but sometimes an author just over-stays her/his welcome!
Me, too!
I have a desktop word doc of books to be read, and I have had to delete some authors. It takes a lot of grit to do so.
Dale, the Microsoft Word list has been the easiest for me to do. I know exactly what you mean when you say: “I have had to delete some authors. It takes a lot of grit to do so.” I absolutely hate to do it, but after two or three disappointments, I “get the grit” to do it!
What a lifesaver you have been! I am writing a column on the food/culinary mysteries we have in our library. Unfortunately, they aren’t all listed by that genre. Why? It’s a mystery to me.
I have been using your site to help me search for them. I discovered we have over 23 series scattered about. I know my readers will enjoy learning of all the ones we carry. Thank you so much for all your hard work on everyone’s behalf. Bon appetite!
That’s terrific, Kathy. How great is it that your library has over 23 culinary series AND that you are locating them and listing them for your patrons!?!
Sounds like you have a terrific library system!
Thank you for your wonderful site!
I have tried my local library for culinary mysteries with little success, so I’ll recommend your site to them.
Welcome to the site, Deb. As you can see, you will have a lot of authors who write culinary mysteries to choose from!
Not sure where to put this but Paige Shelton has a book about a Farm Stand and Sheila Connolly has a few about an apple orchard.
Thanks, Laura, for the terrific farm theme idea!
I have started a list…
I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOUR SITE… I USE IT ALL THE TIME. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND MAKING MINE EASIER
Hi, Bonnie-
I’m glad you’re enjoying the site. Thank you!
I love your site. I have found so many great books from perusing your site for hours. I just wanted to add that I fell in love with a series written by J.B. Stanley- The Supper Club Series. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Penny, I (too) follow J. B. Stanley’s Supper Club Mystery Series. (It’s on my Culinary Mysteries S – W theme page…)
I just got into a BBC series. It was listed on here.
Pie in The Sky. It stars Richard Griffith as a inspector in England who is trying to retire from the police force. He has finally fulfilled his dream of being a chef in his own resturant. But, the hire ups are not letting him do so and keep him in semi retirement to help them. It is quite good and very addicting.
Isn’t Pie in the Sky delightful, Laura? We look forward to every season’s release…
Thank you so much for compiling this list! It’s so very thorough and informative. I am really grateful that I can just add it to my favorites and work my way through each series.
You’re welcome, Mary. Apparently there are a lot of us who really enjoy the Culinary Mysteries!
Is this site still active? Way back in the 60′s probably, maybe early 70′s, I read a book, a mystery, I seem to remember that it was set in Maine, and the recipe for that book was Blueberry Buckle, I think. I wonder if anyone has a clue who the author was/is. I couldn’t find any more of her books in the local library, and have thought of it many times, but can’t remember the name of the book, or the author.
Thanks!
Yes, Linda, we are still alive and kicking! I’ll write an entry asking about this Blueberry Buckle recipe – which appeared in a mystery book that is set in Maine…
I always enjoy a challenge, so I did a little searching on the internet. I don’t know if this is the book you are thinking of because it was written in 1983. The author is Virginia Rich and the book was called, “The Baked Bean Supper Murders.”
I came across some reviews that mentioned this book was set in Maine and had Blueberry recipes, Lobster recipes, and other types of recipes.
I also came across article from Peoples magazine that talked about Virginia Rich’s character Mrs. Potter who sets a table and they mentioned Blueberry Buckle. Here is the link to that article (3rd paragraph) below: (just copy and paste in your URL.
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20086621,00.html
Also, there is a recipe that someone shared on the internet. They had renamed it, but gives credit to the book, “Baked Bean Super Murder”. Maybe this is the Blueberry Buckle recipe. That link is listed below:
http://www.cookinghomerecipe.com/anne-maries-blueberry-glace-pie
I know that you said that the book you are thinking of was written in the 60′s or 70′s and this book was written in 1983, but it can’t hurt to check this out and see if it might be the book you were thinking of. It’s worth a try and can’t hurt to check it out. If it is not the book, good luck in your search.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing the Virginia Rich information with us. And thanks for letting Linda know which mystery book the Blueberry Buckle recipe comes from!
Hello Danna. I just want to add my thanks to those of all the other readers. I depend on your site for finding new authors as I live in the centre of France and have only the Net for info on English mystery books.
Thanks to you I’ve discovered so many really pleasurable writers. When I comment on a writer’s work I always mention your site to let the author know how I came to discover his/her work. I really appreciate the list by theme.
You’re quite welcome, Valerie! What a wonderful place to live!
I copied a great recipe for Chicken Jambalaya from a mystery book – and I can’t remember which one and I can’t find the recipe. Does this sound familar to anyone?
PS What a great site!
Welcome to the site, Sharon P! I hope someone recognizes the mystery book your sought-after Chicken Jambalaya recipe is in. (Sorry I can’t help.)
Sharon,
Could the recipe be Carmela’s Chicken Jambalaya from Laura Child’s Scrapbook Series, “Skeleton Letters”?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the recipe. You might have to get the book from the library to see if it’s the right one. Child’s doesn’t give recipes at her website like many other authors.
Hi Danna,
I just wanted to compliment you on such a WONDERFUL site! I have already started several new mystery series as a result of it, and have found a couple new favorite authors!
I was wondering, though, if it would be possible in the Culinary Themes section(s) to specify if the series has actual recipes included (e.g. Joanne Fluke), or if it is just “subject” themed (e.g. Virginia Lowell)? I see that you have done it in a few of the summaries, but recognize a couple where this info has not been specified.
Thanks again for such a comprehensive list!
Welcome to the site, Lisa. I love your idea about showing which culinary series have “actual recipes included”. (I actually just got a letter from someone asking for the very same thing.) I’ll try to think of a way to do that, although I have a feeling that it will simply mean going to each author’s series and reading the book’s description.
Thanks so much for this great information! You must have spent hours compiling this. I love Fantastic Fiction, but having all of these fun culinary mysteries and authors in one easy location is wonderful. Do you have any other cozy mystery topics catalogued? Have a blessed Easter!
Nancy, here is the page on Cozy Mystery that has many different Cozy Mysteries by Themes.
Oops, one more thing…is there a way to print out a list of just the authors’ names, please?
I love this site. Only place I look for books at. Love the culinary mysteries and many more. Keep up the good work!
Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Mom23Fish. I’m glad you’re enjoying the site, and thank you for the kind words about it!
Hello Danna!! I stumbled upon your side from a google search I did on similar culinary mystery series to the Goldy Bear series by Diane Mott Davidson. I am quite the picky reader, and the books I read really need to keep me reeling for more. I read this series in three months, which is quite a feat for me! Now I need some help from you…..there seem to be many culinary theme mystery series and I do not know where to start. The librarian at my local library gave me two books; needless to say I have renewed both books twice. I just cannot seem to quite get into them like I did with Davidson’s series. So, here is the big question…..what culinary mystery series should I start with next?
Lindsay, I’m going to dash off three culinary series you might enjoy, and hope that other people will add to this very brief (alphabetized) list:
Joanne Fluke‘s Hannah Swensen Mystery Series
Katherine Hall Page‘s Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
J. B. Stanley‘s Supper Club Mystery Series
Lindsay,
Right off the top of my head I thought of a few good mystery series w/recipes:
Cleo Coyle – Coffee House series (excellent mysteries for the ‘picky’)
Laura Childs – Tea Shop series (excellent mysteries for the ‘picky’) and Crackleberry series (good/enjoyable mysteries)
Lucy Burdette – Key West Food Critic Mystery series (excellent mysteries for the ‘picky’)
Krista Davis – Domestic Diva series (good, humorous, enjoyable mysteries)
Livia (L.J.) Washburn – Fresh-Baked Mysteries (good, humorous, enjoyable mysteries)
Many culinary cozy authors have recipes at their websites. There also is a website that posts recipes from cozy authors:
http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/ In fact, Danna’s cozy mystery blog is listed at their website as a ‘favorite blog’.
MJ, I am so glad you posted these names for Lindsay P! I was in such a rush that I forgot about some of these authors who I follow! Thanks!
(This is such a good topic that I am going to make a blog entry out of it so that other people in Lindsay P’s predicament know of some really good Culinary Cozy Mystery theme starting points.)
Lindsay P, tomorrow I am posting an entry about where novices to culinary theme Cozy Mystery series can begin. Hopefully there will be lots of ideas for you – as to where to proceed.
Thank you both sooooooo much!! I am certainly going to take a look at each of these authors to see who I want to start with first. I am also super excited to read your blog post, Danna, for us novice readers. I am certainly glad I found this blog. You both are very sweet
)
Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Lindsay P. I thought today was going to be the 22nd, so I misspoke- the entry is actually going to post on the 22nd, tomorrow morning. I’m glad you found us!
I think I need to quickly clarify my form of “picky” when it comes to reading. My mind tends to wander if I do not have a book that keeps me wanting more. That is what Davidson’s Goldy Series did for me. I loved that her books were real and I could completely paint a picture of the story line in my head. Goldy’s life was real and not far fetched. Her stories are not dark or scary…..I am not one that likes gore. I hope that explains how I am “picky” when it comes to my reads.
Lindsay P, I’ll go add this part to tomorrow’s entry.
Lindsay,
The books I recommended and the ones Danna recommended are not dark/scary, but they are generally ‘page-turners’………….you keep wanting to read the next page, the next one, etc. until you’re done.
They’re on the same level as Davidson’s Goldy series (although Goldy has gotten herself into some scary/harrowing situations!). And, these authors are good (some excellent) story tellers. I read ‘cozies’ because I don’t like blood and gore either.
My suggestion would be to start with Katherine Hall Page. She is a favorite author of many of us and her books are often suggested on the monthly recommendation list on this blog. Her 21st book in this series is due out next month (May). I’d also suggest you read them sequentially so you can follow the characters.
Then I would suggest the next series you may start is Laura Childs Tea Shop Mysteries. I like all three of this author’s series, but most people like the Tea Shop Mysteries the best. The 14th book in this series was released last month (March).
I personally don’t like to read a whole series (especially a long one) at once because I find I tire of it and the characters. I prefer to intersperse it with other cozies and different characters.
At the end of each month, Danna asks the blog readers to recommend their favorite ‘reads’ for the month. Be sure to check this out because it’s a way to introduce yourself to new authors. Oftentimes descriptions are given as to why we liked a particular book and you can decide if that interests you or not. I usually can spot which books I might like to try and which I won’t by the descriptions. However that’s not a guarantee!!!
If you haven’t already found it, the following link is last months recommendations:
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/cozy-mystery-books-recommendations-march-2013.html
After a long wait, it appears Davidson will have a new book out in the Goldy series, “Whole Enchilada”, at the end of August.
MJ, I totally agree with you about: “I personally don’t like to read a whole series (especially a long one) at once because I find I tire of it and the characters. I prefer to intersperse it with other cozies and different characters.”
Using this method has made me fall way behind with some of my favorite authors’ books, but I don’t tire of them. I think I would not only tire of them, but also start finding fault in them. I want to keep my favorite authors as authors I look forward to reading.
The only time I read a series in order without interruption is when I have happened upon one of the newest books. After reading and liking the new one, I go back and read them in order to catch up. Then I wait for the next new one. Even if it’s a year till the new one, I find it feels like walking into an old hometown if I’ve read the whole series in one block. But to each her own!
Deb, I used this method when I played catch-up with M. C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series. That was way back in 1997, when there weren’t quite as many books in that series. (13, as compared with 29!)
Right on! So much great info and fantastic tips you have both given me. I am super excited for the “Whole Enchilada” to be released. I really cannot wait to find out if Goldy adds a new addition to her family! I am headed to the library today to check out the suggested reads by my new found friends
)
Lindsay P, I hope you’re able to find some authors in the culinary theme that you really, really enjoy reading!