This is my favorite time of year. I have mentioned many times that we live way down in San Antonio, Texas. Most of the year it is hot and extremely muggy. (We broke our “over 100 degree” days record this year!) It’s actually pretty hot down here at the beginning of October – but even so, once October arrives, I celebrate some cooler weather AND my Holiday Cozy Mystery books. I especially enjoy Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hannukah books set in cold weather, so I can “experience” a season we don’t have down here.
I know I asked this question years ago but here goes again:
Are you a stickler for reading your Cozy Mystery series in chronological order? (I am!)
Or, when a favorite series has a Holiday Cozy Mystery released way ahead of where you are, do you skip ahead?
As I stated above, I’m a stickler for chronological storylines, however, sometimes I just can’t wait and find myself skipping ahead in the series.
How about you? If you’re on book #6 in a Cozy Mystery series and the author releases a Christmas Cozy as her/his 13th book in the series, do you jump ahead and read it? (I do!)
Marianne Kotch says
I often do skip ahead to a holiday-themed entry in a Series. Chet and Bernie, especially!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, yes, it is particularly tempting to skip ahead for a few favorite series.
Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson says
I recently encountered this dilemma in a series I’m reading and then saw a holiday novella from the series. I hesitated and then decided to jump in. I love Hallmark movies, so I guess I’d consider this a Hallmark movie interlude and therefore “allowed “ no matter where I am in the series. Which really just sounds like a justification to do what I really want, read a Christmas-themed book including my favorite characters at Christmas.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, that seems like a good compromise. It would also be something like revisiting an old “holiday” episode of a tv show.
Mary says
I like to read mainly in order although I have jumped the order a few time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, I generally stick to the order as well. Holidays are some of the few exceptions.
Lacy says
I wish I could skip around!! I love holiday themed cozies! However, I am stuck in my ways and can’t read out of order. If I start a book and realize it is part of a series or spinoff from another, I have to stop and start at the first book. I try to time my reading so a holiday themed one falls around the season it’s set in, but it usually doesn’t work.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lacy, I certainly understand that – it’s really hard for me to decide when I’m going to skip or not for holidays.
Patti S. says
I like to read in order also, Danna! I live in northwest Indiana and the last few years we have had little to no snow! I miss snow especially at this time of year. The climate is so strange. Now you can’t even count on a regular winter! Have a nice Thanksgiving!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti, it’s definitely a very different sort of Christmas with no snow. Have a nice Thanksgiving to you as well!
Dan Beliveau says
I must read books in order.
Often, the author has taken the time to tell a larger story or the main character grows. If you skip around, while the novel may be satisfying, you’ll never get the full intent of the author of you don’t read in order.
Also, the author will often get better as a writer as books go on, so that another reason to read in order.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dan, that’s certainly how I normally handle things.
Nancy says
I have to read the series in order. I’ve never skipped ahead. I don’t know why but I’ve always done this.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, there’s nothing wrong with a habit that just works!
Wanda P says
I usually go back and reread holiday mysteries I have read in the past.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wanda, that’s a good way to handle it as well – then you don’t have any spoilers but can enjoy the holiday flavor as well.
Maryland Activist says
I definitely read them in chronological order. I want to see the characters develop. And, at my age, I want to challenge my memory on who did what when. I enjoy your communication. Perhaps you can help me find more cozy mysteries that feature first responders as main characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maryland, that’s generally what I prefer.
I know that the Jade del Cameron series by Suzanne Arruda is about a former ambulance driver from WWI, but that isn’t exactly what I think of when I hear “first responder”. I’ll check around and see if I can find anything else.
Taffy storck says
No , I stay in order. Easier for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Taffy, I stick with chronological order as well most of the time.
Adrienne says
I absolutely must read a series in chronological order.
I also don’t mind reading a Christmas/winter mysteries in the middle of summer. I live in Florida so it’s not like I experience the weather described in the book. It does have a bit of a cooling effect. I also get burnt out from holiday books by mid-December.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Adrienne, I can understand that – the media’s (tv especially) holiday season seems to be getting longer and longer.
Linda says
Absolutely have to read them in order! If a Holiday book comes out it has to wait it’s turn.😊
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, that’s commendable discipline.
Ellen Byron says
Good question. I generally prefer to start at the beginning of a series, but sometimes I can’t resist a holiday cozy. What inspires me to break from reading chronologically is usually a great cover. First, that draws me to the book. Then I read the book jacket copy. If the story is irresistible, I go for it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, that’s about how I often handle it – if it looks just ok I figure it can wait until I get to it in order.
Rhonda says
Same here. I will read a Christmas book even if I haven’t read all of the books prior to the holiday book.
Kal Smagh says
Good question! For me it depends… if the story title or subject are fun I will jump in… (I like beachy-reads in cold weather). It’s cooling off in Atlanta now so I am reading Key Lime Die by Summer Prescott.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kal, that’s an interesting approach – go with something that is “off-seasonal”, it sounds like?
Kal Smagh says
Hi Danna, yes! I generally read in order but when the winter (February) or summer (in August) is feeling too long it’s nice to be able to escape out. (Love the comments here, BTW!)-Kal
Patti S. says
Kal-
I love your series about the Beatles and the gal who solves the mysteries! I was so happy to see a new book will be coming out! So happy to know that. I really enjoyed this series. Thanks so much!
Kal Smagh says
Aww, thank you, Patti S! Your comment makes my day. They are sooo fun to write.
Kimberley Cornwell says
Chronological order! Without a doubt.
BTW, your blog/newsletter are so informative! Thank you for your hard work.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimberley, you’re very welcome!
Marsha says
In order. I look for stand alone Christmas stories because it is fun reading a Christmas story in December.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marsha, that’s a good idea as well. There are a number of “holiday series” that would certainly serve to fill the itch.
TJ says
Must read in chronological order! Very frustrating when one in series is missing 😳
Danna - cozy mystery list says
TJ, yes, that can be annoying.
Suzie Garcia says
This is the 1st year I broke my rule! I’m like you and always read my Cozy Mystery Series in order. But this year I couldn’t resist! Maybe because I’m craving that holiday comfort and joy :))
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzie, I certainly hope you find what you’re looking for in terms of holiday comfort!
Christine says
Same as you; I prefer reading in order but when a holiday-centric book is published, I can’t resist going out of order to read it! 🎄📚
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Christine, that does sound similar to my own approach.
Jenny Andersen says
I’m a stickler for chronological order, but if it’s a series I love I’m also willing to read as soon as I get my hot little hands (or Kindle) on the book. Also I reread favorites.
What drives me bonkers is a series in which the author does not write and release the books in chronological order. Grrr! And yes, this happens, though I’ve encountered it only once. I’m not naming names because the author is a big name (and one of my favorites of all time. Also no longer writing.) Since I love the series so much, I just read/reread in any order. The story is worth it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jenny, that’s a fairly rare situation you’re describing in not releasing books in order. It does sound a bit vexing.
Jo Anne Yerkes says
I try to read book 1 through to the end. I’m up to number 57 of Jessica Beck’s books, but my library doesn’t have the next ones.
Any author I’ve read, I try to begin at the beginning to follow the lives of the main characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jo Anne, that’s definitely what I prefer most of the time.
Shirley p. says
I have just finished this series. The last book is called the last donut. I think will is still writing them other series. But haven’t read any of them.
Shirley p. says
Hi. I have to read in order, in case a clue is in the one before or anew person is mention, like a fellow shop owner. I know some of my friends get annoyed. But oh well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Shirley, just read in whatever order you prefer and don’t worry about how others would handle it.
Jill Sirignano says
Some like Laura Childs Tea Shop series I’m reading in order others I started in midstream and reading from there
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jill, that’s interesting – I don’t know many people who often start in the middle of a series.
Sharla Burchfield says
You have A Deadly Vineyard Holiday by Philip R. Craig listed on your Christmas themed books list. It is not a Christmas themed book. It takes place in August. I am reading it anyway and so far enjoying so no harm done. lol
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharla, I’m sorry about that – I’ll take it off the list. Most of those lists are made with the assistance of site readers, so sometimes something slips through that I’m not actually familiar with.
Sprite says
ALWAYS in order!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sprite, that’s admirable patience.
Dolores B says
Yes, I always read Cozy series in order. If a special holiday story comes out, I will wait to read it until I get through the series to where it is placed. I’m glad authors number their stories so we can follow the big picture.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dolores, it certainly can be nice to read a series through in order.
Mrs. Ainee C. Beland says
No, I am not a stickler for chronological order for series; and yet, I did purchase a Christmas story that was to have been part of a series or its ending; so reading this cozy Cape cottage mystery was a tad confusing, although it was well-wrap up with the two main characters getting married at the book’s end. I did not like the genealogy rhetoric of the three families that ruled this town.
——-
It might have been nicer to follow the series along. Oh well, foiled again.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ainee, that’s a shame. It sounds like you’ll be sticking with a more chronological approach going forward.
James B says
I wouldn’t say stickler, but I do find more enjoyment reading them in order. “The Cat Who…” was my favorite series. Also the Alphabet series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
James, I generally go with chronological as well. Holidays are the few exceptions.
PamB says
I, too, read books in order and, oh yes, I’ll read out of order if it’s a favorite author of mine and I’m behind just a couple of books. I’ve saved David Rosenfelt’s ‘Santa’s Little Yelpers’ to read in December and have requested his latest Christmas book from the library in hopes I’ll get it in December.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, I hope you get the books you’re looking for by the holidays!
Bookdweller says
I really stick to the chronological release dates. Though, I’ve been known to start a spinoff series while awaiting the next release of what I was reading. Most of my favorite authors have so many balls juggling, there’s always a current or new series to keep my attention.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bookdweller, it’s definitely nice to be able to read a few series set in the same setting, so long as it’s an interesting one!
Amy collier says
I read series in order if at all possible but I read Christmas cozy mysteries between Halloween and New Years. I keep a box of them which means I usually have two – one for the series and one for the box if it is something I like enough to purchase.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Amy, that sounds like an interesting organizational method!
Lea says
I very rarely jump ahead. I have to read my books in chronological order of story lines. That makes me perpetually behind but I just can’t jump ahead.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lea, I now how that feels!
Linda MH says
I always read a series in order. Always!! Can’t help myself. LOL.
Happy Thanksgiving, Danna. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Cindi says
I have to read them in chronological order, however, I also feel out of sorts reading a holiday cozy out of season. No-win situation?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cindi, that can be what it feels like sometimes!
Vickie says
I like reading them in order or sometimes I skip around.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie, well, whatever approach works for you!
Mary Joy W says
I always read in order. I’m not disciplined about everything, but reading in chronological order is a MUST, lol!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, that’s how I usually read as well – holidays are a rare exception.
Page T. says
I love holiday books. Sometimes I will start reading a new series for me by choosing a holiday book if it’s available even out of order. Christmas are my favorite.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Page, I certainly love Christmas as well, both in holiday books and just as a holiday season!