The Culinary Theme in Cozy Mystery Novels has become quite popular amongst die-hard cozy mystery readers. This is a continuation of the list of the mystery authors who have chosen culinary themes:

K.J. Emrick writes the Soul Wine Shop Mystery Series, starring the owner of a wine shop.

K.J. Emrick: Cookie and Cream Mystery Series –  Karen ‘Cookie’ Williams is a grandmom who owns a bakery shop.

Nancy Fairbanks writes the Carolyn Blue Culinary Mystery Series which (of course) features Carolyn… with her husband who happens to be a scientist. The books include recipes. (Fairbanks is also known as Nancy Herndon… who writes the Elena Jarvis mystery series.)

Jerrilyn Farmer ‘s Madeline Bean Mystery Series features Maddie, the owner of Mad Bean Events Catering. Maddie not only caters to the Los Angeles elite, but she also manages to work in time to solve crimes when she’s not whipping up a delicacy.

In 2006, Honora Finkelstein and Susan Smily put out their first novel in the Ariel Quigley Series, which features an English teacher/Psychic sleuth. The novel was nominated for the Best First Novel category of the prestigious Agatha Awards. There are now two novels in the series and both of them have accompanying recipe books.

Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series – Bailey King is a chocolatier in her grandparents’ Swissmen Sweets Amish candy shop in Ohio.

Joanne Fluke is the author of the Cookie Jar Cozy Mystery Series that takes place in Minnesota. Hannah Swensen not only manages the bakery, but she also manages to solve crimes between baking up batches of delicious treats. And, as a special bonus, the recipes of these sweet treats are included in the novels.

Sarah Fox writes the Pancake House Mystery Series, which stars the owner of a restaurant.

Cynthia Gallant-Simpson writes the Nantucket Mystery Series, which features a caterer in Nantucket.

Rosie Genova writes the Italian Kitchen Mystery Series. This series is set in New Jersey and features a sleuth who is a mystery author turned chef.

Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames) writes the Cookbook Nook Mystery Series. This series features the owner of a cookbook store, on the California coast.

Nadia Gordon writes the Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery Series. Sunny is the chef of an organic restaurant in the wine country valley.

Sarah Graves  writes the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series which features Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree, owner of a bakery that specializes in chocolate. This is the continuation of Graves’ very popular Home Repair is Homicide Mystery Series.

Lena Gregory writes the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery Series. Gia Morelli is owns a diner in Florida.

Kerry Greenwood has the Corinna Chapman Mystery Series which takes place in beautiful Melbourne, Australia, with Corinna being a baker.

Victoria Hamilton pens the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series, which features Jaymie Leighton, a collector of vintage cookbooks and cookware. Hamilton also writes the Merry Muffin Mysteries, which take place in New York and feature a muffin baker.

Susannah Hardy (aka Sadie Hartwell) writes the Greek to Me Mystery Series, which stars Georgie Nikolopatos, manager of Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant and historic landmark in upstate New York.

Ellen Hart writes the Sophie Greenway Culinary Mystery Series which features a food critic and magazine editor who solves mysteries on the side.  (Hart also authors another series that is sort of culinary in theme…. the main character is a restaurateur.)

B. B. Haywood writes the Candy Holliday Mystery Series which has as its sleuth, a woman who returns home to Maine to co-manage a blueberry farm with her father. Blueberry-based recipes are included.

Betty Hechtman writes the Yarn Retreat Mystery Series, which features a dessert chef who inherits a yarn retreat business in California.

A.L. Herbert writes the Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series, featuring the owner of a sweet tea restaurant in Maryland.

Lee Hollis write the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series, which features a single mom/sleuth who “runs” a newspaper and writes a newspaper food column.

Mary Ellen Hughes writes the Pickled and Preserved Mystery Series. The sleuth (Piper Lamb) owns a pickles and preserves shop in New York. (Recipes are included.)

Julie Hyzy writes the White House Chef Mystery Series which is obviously set in Washington, D.C., and features an assistant chef at the White House as its sleuth…

Cathie John   Husband and wife duo Cathie and John Celestri pen the Journal of Kate Cavanaugh Culinary Mystery Series, in which Kate is a caterer who solves mysteries. The Cathie part of the duo has a culinary background and the John part adds (what their website describes as) the “quirky” side of the series.

Claire M. Johnson, who writes the Mary Ryan, Pastry Chef Mystery Series.

Leslie Karst: The Sally Solari Mystery Series features an ex-lawyer at an Italian eatery.

Tina Kashian writes the Kebab Kitchen Mystery Series which stars an ex-lawyer who works at her family’s Mediterranean restaurant in New Jersey.

So far, Nina Killham‘s culinary mystery series is only a stand alone book. The Jasmine March Mystery “Series” involves Jasmine March, a cookbook author and gourmet (or is it gourmand?!?) who lives in Washington, D. C. This book was published in 2002, I am not sure if there is another book in the makings…

Josi S. Kilpack writes the Culinary Mystery Series, which features Sadie Hofmiller as its sleuth.

Peter King is the next culinary-theme mystery author. His culinary mystery is set in London, and features a food consultant by the name of Goodwyn Harper. The Goodwyn Harper Mystery Series is unique in that it is written by a real-life Cordon Bleu Chef!

Here are some more of my CULINARY – COOKING THEMES:

Mysteries with Recipes AND Recipe Books by Mystery Authors

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: A – D

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: L – R

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: S – W Plus Some!

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: Even More!

Where to Start with Culinary Cozy Mystery Series…

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦

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 (aka Daryl Wood Gerber) writes the Cheese Shop Mystery Series which has, as its sleuth, the co-owner of the cheese shop.

Kathy Aarons: Chocolate Covered Mystery Series features sleuth Michelle Serrano, co-owner of Chocolates and Chapters, a combination bookstore and chocolate shop.

Allyson K. Abbott (aka Annelise Ryan & Beth Amos) writes the Mack’s Bar Mystery Series, which features recipes for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The series is set in a bar which she (Mack) owns.

Riley Adams (aka Elizabeth Spann Craig) pens the Memphis Barbeque Mystery Series which (of course!) takes place in Tennessee.

Rebecca Adler writes the Taste of Texas Mystery Series starring a head waitress in Texas.

Ellie Alexander writes the Bakeshop Mystery Series.  Jules Capshaw works at her family’s Torte Bakeshop in Oregon.

Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer-Seeley): Sloan Krause Mystery Series. Sloan is a brewmaster in Washington state.

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.

Maggie Barbieri writes the Maeve Conlon Mystery Series which features a bakery owner.

Jessica Beck writes the Donut Shop Mystery Series which features the owner of Donut Hearts Coffee Shop as the sleuth… (Doughnut recipes are included!)

Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes): Southern Cake Baker Mystery Series – Sophia Cummings is a pastry chef in Kentucky who owns the For Goodness Cakes bakery.

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!

Ginger Bolton (aka Janet Bolin): Deputy Donut Mystery Series – Emily Westhill runs a donut shop along with her retired chief of police dad and her Tabby cat, “Deputy Donut” >>> in Wisconsin.

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.

Catherine Bruns is the author of the Cookies & Chance Mystery Series, featuring a baker.

Julia Buckley writes the Undercover Dish Mystery Series which is set in Illinois and stars Lilah Drake, owner of a catering company where the clients can claim to have cooked the meal.

Lynn Cahoon writes the Farm-to-Fork Mystery Series which features Angie Turner, the owner of a farm-to-table restaurant in Idaho.

Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George): Fat Cat Mystery Series – Charity (Chase) Oliver makes both people and cat treats in Minneapolis.

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.)

Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra): Candy-Coated Mystery Series (Includes recipes)

Susan Conant, along with her daughter, Jessica Conant-Park writes the Gourmet Girl Mystery Series.

Maya Corrigan: Five-Ingredient Mystery Series, featuring the manager of a fitness club’s café.

Shelley Costa: Miracolo Mystery Series is set in Philadelphia and features a chef in her family’s Italian restaurant.

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.)

Jessie Crockett: Sugar Grove Mystery Series – Dani Greene works at her family-owned maple sugar farm in Sugar Grove, New Hampshire.

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.

Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell & Tace Baker): Country Store Mystery Series – Robbie Jordan owns the Pans ‘N Pancakes Country Store restaurant in South Lick, Indiana.

Gale Deitch writes the Trudie Fine Mystery Series. Trudie is the co-owner of a catering company in Washington, D.C.

Devon Delaney: Cook-Off Mystery Series – Sherry Oliveri-Frazzelle is a competitive cook who works part-time with her dad AND Chutney, her Jack Russell Terrier in Connecticut.

Christine DeSmet writes the Fudge Shop Mystery Series. This series features a sleuth (Ava Oosterling) who is the owner of a copper kettle fudge shop which is located in her grandfather’s bait shop in Wisconsin.

Lesley A. Diehl writes the Microbrewers Mystery Series which features Hera Knighsbridge, a master brewer in New York.

Leighann Dobbs: Lexy Baker Mystery Series – Lexy is a baker who gets help from her grandmother and her friends when solving a mystery.

Pamela DuMond writes the Annie Graceland Mystery Series which features a psychic owner of a bakery.

Here are some more of my CULINARY – COOKING THEMES:

Mysteries with Recipes AND Recipe Books by Mystery Authors

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: F – K

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: L – R

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: S – W Plus Some!

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: Even More!

Where to Start with Culinary Cozy Mystery Series…

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦

I happen to be someone who loves beads. I don’t actually make any wearable things out of beads, but I love to look at all types of beads. I do happen to be someone who cross stitches, and a few years ago, I started adding the little, bitty glass beads into all of my cross stitch projects. I have to admit that since I started this web site… devoted to another passion I have (cozy mysteries!)… I have not cross stitched/beaded (for a lack of a better descriptive phrase) as much as I used to.

Anyway… to get back to this blog’s purpose…. cozy mystery series with a beading theme… Who are the authors who intertwine beading into their cozy mystery books?

Tonya Kappes writes the Divorced Diva Mystery Series. Holly Harper is one of the Divorced Divas and she owns a bead shop in Kentucky.

Ada Madison (aka Camille Minichino & Margaret Grace) writes the Sophie Knowles Mystery Series which features a college professor/beader/sleuth in Massachusetts.

Karen MacInerney completed the second Kitzi Camden Beading Cozy Mystery after Barbara Burnett Smith passed away. I know that MacInerney is busy with her Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series and her soon-to-be-published Tales of an Urban Werewolf Series, but I sure hope that she can find the time to continue writing this beading cozy mystery series!

Janice Peacock writes the Glass Bead Mystery Series, starring a glass bead artist named Jax O’Connell, in Seattle, Washington.

Barbara Burnett Smith‘s Purple Sage Mystery Series is a popular cozy mystery series. In 2005, Smith put out the first book in her new beading cozy mystery series that featured Kitzi Camden, a former politician (who happens to live in my very own state of Texas) and who happens to love beads, beading, and sleuthing.

***To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.***

This entry includes the mystery books whose authors include some type of needlework as a theme:

Barbara Bretton: Chloe Hobbs’ Paranormal Mystery Series… Chloe is one half sorceress and owns the Sticks & Strings Knitting Shop in Vermont…

Janet Bolin: Threadville Mystery Series… Willow owns a “high-tech” embroidery shop…

Anne Canadeo: Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series… Maggie Messina owns the Black Sheep Knitting Shop in Massachusetts. (Canadeo co-authors the Cape Light Series with Thomas Kinkade.)

Elizabeth Lynn Casey (aka Laura Bradford): Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series… Tori Sinclair is a librarian/sleuth who is also a member of the Sewing Circle in South Carolina…

Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series – Pamela Patterson is the associate editor of a craft magazine and founder of a knitting club in Arborville, New Jersey. These Cozies include both a knitting pattern as well as a recipe.

Monica Ferris writes the Needlecraft Mystery Series. Betsy Devonshire inherits the Crewel World needlework/yarn shop. Not only does she have to learn about needlework from the ground up, she also has to solve mysteries. I love that Ferris’s books are usually stocked in needlepoint shops where needle-pointers can be introduced to cozy mysteries!

Sally Goldenbaum has the Seaside Knitters Mystery Series, in which Izzy Chambers owns the Seaside Knitting Studio in Massachusetts… where she not only sells beautiful yarn… but also sleuths.

Sadie Hartwell writes the Tangled Web Mystery Series about Josie Blair, a yarn shop owner.

Betty Hechtman writes the Crochet Mystery Series, and is herself hooked on Crocheting. And, for those crocheters out there… She even includes a crochet pattern in each of her mysteries! Hechtman also writes the Yarn Retreat Mystery Series, which features a dessert chef who inherits a yarn retreat business.

Kate Jacobs is a New York Times bestselling author who writes a non-mystery series called the Friday Night Knitting Club, which features a yarn shop owner and her knitting circle.

Mary Kruger is another author who sets her cozy mystery series amongst the world of deeply hued yarns…. Ari Evans owns the Ariadne’s Web knitting shop in this cozy series.

Amanda Lee (aka Ruth Glick & Rebecca York) writes the Embroidery Mystery Series which takes place in Oregon, and features the owner of the embroidery shop. As Glick she writes cookbooks, specializing in cuisine for Diabetics. As York she writes the paranormal Moon Series.

Molly MacRae writes the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery Series. The sleuth inherits her grandmother’s wool shop, and an unexpected ghost.

Jaime Marsman: Crabapple Yarns Mystery Series

Carol Ann Martin writes the Weaving Mystery Series. Della Wright teaches weaving in a shop she owns.

Cate Price write the Deadly Notions Mystery Series. Daisy Buchanan is a retired teacher who currently manages the Great Notion Sewing and Antiques Shop in a quaint town in Pennsylvania.

Does the House of Lambspun sound like a yarn shop to you? It should! It is the name of the shop where Maggie Sefton‘s cozy mystery sleuth (Kelly Flynn) learns how to knit.

Lea Wait writes the Mainely Needlepoint Mystery Series.

Oh, and Miss Marple knits!

The Annie’s Attic Mystery Series is a series of mysteries that feature a woman crocheter who has inherited her grandmother’s old home, and who ends up finding all sorts of puzzling items in the attic, which then lead her to solve different mysteries with the help of her friends.

I recently added Debbie Macomber to the site, even though she doesn’t write mysteries. She writes the Blossom Street Knitting Series…

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦