Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times bestselling author behind multiple popular cozy mystery and romance novels.
The self-confessed bookworm worked as a full-time librarian for years, but in 2002, she began writing her own work, and since then, she has become one of the most famous names in the mystery genre.
Her page-turning books have been translated into multiple languages and captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Plus, she has won several prestigious awards, including the RT Reviewers Choice Award and the Fresh Fiction award. So whether you’re a fan of murder mysteries or a heartwarming romance, Jenn McKinlay’s books are well worth a read.
Jenn McKinlay’s Books in Order
Jenn McKinlay has written several series and standalone novels, but knowing where to begin isn’t easy. So, in this post, I’ll give you a full list of every book this popular author has published so far to help you decide where to begin your reading journey.
| Sr. No. | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Decoupage Mystery Books | January 1, 2009 | 240 pages | Berkley Pub Group | Amazon |
| 2 | The Cupcake Bakery Mystery Books | June 16, 2010 | 333 pages | Wheeler Publishing | Amazon |
| 3 | The Library Lover’s Mystery Books | July 5, 2011 | 304 pages | Center Point | Amazon |
| 4 | The Good Buy Girls Mystery Books | April 3, 2012 | 288 pages | Penguin Putnam Inc | Amazon |
| 5 | The London Hat Shop Mystery Books | February 3, 2015 | 304 pages | Berkley | Amazon |
| 6 | The Bluff Point Romance Books | May 30, 2017 | 320 pages | Berkley | Amazon |
| 7 | The Happy Ever After Books | February 5, 2019 | 336 pages | Berkley | Amazon |
| 8 | The Museum of Literature Novellas | July 5, 2022 | Dreamscape Media | Amazon | |
| 9 | Jenn McKinlay’s Standalone Novels | July 21, 2020 | 352 pages | Berkley | Amazon |
| 10 | Jenn McKinlay’s Non-Fiction Books | September 6, 2022 | 110 pages | JMO Ink | Amazon |
The Decoupage Mystery Books (as Lucy Lawrence)
Jenn McKinlay published her debut book series, The Decoupage Mysteries, under her pen name Lucy Lawrence.
The author has had a keen interest in decoupage since she was a youngster, and after taking her first decoupage class at the age of twelve, she was hooked. And so, in 2009, she combined her love for the craft with her passion for literature to pen this three-part cozy mystery series.
In book one, Stuck on Murder, we head to the quaint New England town of Morse Point, where we meet decoupage fanatic Brenna Miller.
Brenna keeps busy by running a busy crafting class, teaching her students how to cut, glue, and varnish to create beautiful works of art. But one day, her lesson is interrupted by a murder mystery when the local mayor’s body turns up in the nearby Morse Point Lake.
The prime suspect is Brenna’s landlord, but she knows he didn’t do it. And so, she embarks on a mission to find out the truth before he goes to jail for a crime he didn’t commit.
The Decoupage Mystery Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Decoupage Mystery Books each tells a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters’ lives evolve and intertwine from book to book, so to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery Books
This charming and long-running cozy mystery series stars Melanie “Mel” Cooper and Angela “Angie” DeLaura, two best friends who own and run the Fairy Tale Cupcakes Bakery.
In book one, Sprinkle with Murder, Mel, and Angie have just set up their business, and they already have their first big order for 500 bespoke wedding cupcakes. But this particular customer, a demanding bridezilla, isn’t the easiest person to work with.
So when Mel discovers the bride-to-be’s body, she suddenly finds herself as the prime suspect in her murder. But was it really death by cupcakes, or did someone else want her dead? It’s up to Mel and Angie to uncover the truth.
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery books each tells a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters’ lives evolve and intertwine from book to book, so to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
- Sprinkle with Murder (2010)
- Buttercream Bump Off (2011)
- Death by the Dozen (2011)
- Red Velvet Revenge (2012)
- Going, Going, Ganache (2013)
- Sugar and Iced (2014)
- Dark Chocolate Demise (2015)
- Vanilla Beaned (2016)
- Caramel Crush (2017)
- Wedding Cake Crumble (2018)
- Dying for Devil’s Food (2019)
- Pumpkin Spice Peril (2020)
- For Better or Worse (2021)
- Strawberried Alive (2022)
The Library Lover’s Mystery Books
Inspired by her time spent as a librarian, in 2011, author Jenn McKinlay began this popular series starring a Connecticut Library director named Lindsey Norris.
Book-loving Lindsey works at Briar Creek Public Library, but in her spare time, she finds herself solving mysteries with her friends in and around her quaint coastal town.
In the first installment of the series, Books Can Be Deceiving, Lindsey is settling into her new role at Briar Creek Public Library. Things are going well until a visit from a New York editor causes a stir in town.
Lindsey’s best friend, Beth, is Briar Creek’s children’s librarian, and she’s recently completed a children’s book that she’s keen to pitch to the editor. But her famous author boyfriend, Rick Eckman, ruins her plans, and she promptly breaks up with him.
Yet the very next day, he’s found dead, and suddenly, Beth is suspect number one. So, Lindsey springs into action to clear her friend’s name and catch the real killer.
The Library Lover’s Mystery Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Library Lover’s Mystery books each tell a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters’ lives evolve and intertwine from book to book, so to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
- Books Can Be Deceiving (2011)
- Due or Die (2012)
- Book, Line, and Sinker (2012)
- Read It and Weep (2013)
- On Borrowed Time (2014)
- A Likely Story (2015)
- Better Late Than Never (2016)
- Death in the Stacks (2017)
- Hitting the Books (2018)
- Word to the Wise (2019)
- One for the Books (2020)
- Killer Research (2021)
- The Plot and the Pendulum (2022)
The Good Buy Girls Mystery Books (as Josie Bell)
Jenn McKinlay adopted the pseudonym Josie Bell to pen this charming five-part mystery series.
The books center around the life and adventures of chief protagonist Maggie Gerber, who runs a local bargain hunting club in the small town of St. Stanley, Virginia, with her three good friends.
But it’s not all coupon clipping and sale seeking because these four women are also talented at solving mysteries.
In book one, Maggie’s former lover, Sam Collins, returns to St. Stanley to take on the job as the new local sheriff.
Meanwhile, the newest addition to the Good Buy Girls, Claire Freemont, is acting a little strange, and the very next day, she’s accused of murder. A body has been found in the local library, and the male victim is someone Claire knew well.
However, Maggie and the rest of the Good Buy Girls know she didn’t do it, and so they embark on a mission to find the killer and convince Sheriff Collins that their friend is innocent.
The Good Buy Girls Mystery Book in Reading and Publication Order
The Good Buy Girls Mystery books each tells a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters’ lives evolve and intertwine from book to book, so to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
- 50% Off Murder (2012)
- A Deal to Die For (2012)
- Buried in Bargains (2013)
- Marked Down for Murder (2014)
- All Sales Final (2015)
The London Hat Shop Mystery Books
The London Hat Shop Mystery series follows the adventures of cousins Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont.
At the start of the series, American Scarlett is going through a rough patch, and Vivian suggests she comes to join her in London. Viv runs a stylish Portobello Road hat shop called Mim’s Whims, which was bequeathed to the women by their grandmother.
Scarlett jumps at the opportunity to get out of Florida and finally get involved in the family business. But when she arrives in London, Viv is nowhere to be found.
At first, Scarlett isn’t too worried; after all, her cousin is flighty and unpredictable at the best of times. But when one of her upper-class customers turns up dead, wearing nothing but a bespoke hat from Mim’s Whims, she begins to fear the worst.
The London Hat Shop Mystery Books
The London Hat Shop Mystery books each tell a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, the characters’ lives evolve and intertwine from book to book, so to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below:
- Cloche and Dagger (2013)
- Death of a Mad Hatter (2014)
- At the Drop of a Hat (2015)
- Copy Cap Murder (2016)
- Assault & Beret (2017)
- Buried to the Brim (2020)
The Bluff Point Romance Books
This heartwarming and addictive series takes us to Bluff Point, Maine, a charming close-knit community where a man’s best friend can be the perfect matchmaker.
In book one, About a Dog, we meet Mackenzie “Mac” Harris, who has returned to her old hometown after a seven-year hiatus.
The last time she was here, she was jilted at the altar and ended up seeking refuge in the arms of a forbidden crush. But now, she’s older and wiser and determined not to make the same mistakes again.
But Bluff Point’s local veterinarian, Gavin Tolliver, has always been in love with Mac. And now that she’s back in town with a new puppy in tow, he’s determined to win her heart.
The Bluff Point Romance Books
The Bluff Point Romance books are interconnected by a common theme, but each one tells a new story and features a brand new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
The Happy Ever After Books
This two-part mini-series is set in the quaint little town of Fairdale, North Carolina.
In book one, The Good Ones, we meet Maisy Kelly, an introverted professor who has a grand ambition to convert her late aunt’s Victorian home into a romance bookstore. But she can’t do the work by herself, so she hires an accomplished architect named Ryder Copeland to help her.
Yet Ryder has much more to offer than just architectural prowess. This tall, handsome, single father is turning out to be her perfect man. But is he too good to be true?
The Happy Ever After Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Happy Ever After books are interconnected by a common theme, but each one tells a new story and features a brand new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
The Museum of Literature Novellas
This brand new collection of witty and romantic novellas is available to buy as separate ebooks or all together in the handy compendium, BOOKED: A Collection of RomCom Novellas for Book Lovers.
In the first installment of the series, Royal Valentine, we head to England, where the Museum of Literature’s registrar, Molly Graham, is on the trip of a lifetime to transport a Jane Austen exhibition back to its rightful home at the Whitmore Estate in Bath.
Back in the US, she’s just been dumped by a man she thought was her soul mate. Now, devastated and heartbroken, she’s wandering the ancient streets of England in a daze. But all is not as it seems, and the man she thought had abandoned her will do anything to get her back.
The Museum of Literature Novellas in Reading and Publication Order
The Museum of Literature Novellas are interconnected by a common theme, but each one tells a new story and features a brand new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
Jenn McKinlay’s Standalone Novels
Alongside her popular series above, Jenn McKinlay has also penned several standalone novels. Here they are in the order they were published, listed below.
- Keeping up Appearances (2005)
- To Catch a Latte (2018)
- Paris is Always a Good Idea (2020)
- Wait for It (2021)
Jenn McKinlay’s Non-Fiction Books
In 2022, Jenn McKinlay paid homage to her long-running and hugely popular Cupcake Bakery Mystery series with this delectable collection of recipes inspired by the books.
Conclusion
Jenn McKinlay is a master of cozy mysteries and page-turning contemporary romance. So if you’re looking for a new book to escape this spring, I highly recommend giving her work a try.
Are you already a fan of Jenn McKinlay’s books? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Drop me a comment in the box below!