Kathi Daley Books in Order (Complete Reading Guide)

Kathi Daley is a beloved cozy mystery author best known for her Zoe Donovan Mysteries, Whales and Tails Mysteries, Sand and Sea Mysteries, and many more series. The best way to read her books is in publication order within each series, since her characters, towns, and seasonal themes build over time.

Publication Order

Kathi Daley has written dozens of cozy mysteries across multiple series. Here are her major series in publication order.

Zoe Donovan Mysteries

1. Halloween Hijinks (2013) – Introduces Zoe, her pets, and her knack for stumbling into murder.
2. The Trouble with Turkeys (2013)
3. Christmas Crazy (2013)
4. Big Bunny Bump Off (2014)
5. Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies (2014)
6. Murder, Mayhem and Megalomaniacs (2014)
7. Ghostly Graveyard (2014)
8. Santa Sleuth (2014)
9. Hopscotch Homicide (2015)
10. Puppies, Pumpkins, and Playback (2015)
    … and many more, continuing past 25 titles.

Whales and Tails Mysteries

1. Romeow and Juliet (2015) – Caitlin Hart discovers murder on Madrona Island, with the help of magical cats.
2. The Mad Catter (2015)
3. Grimm’s Furry Tail (2015)
4. Big Pawstive (2016)
5. Cat with a Clue (2016)
   … continuing with over 15 books in the series.

Sand and Sea Mysteries

1. Murder at Dolphin Bay (2016) – Summer in the islands takes a dark twist.
2. Murder at the Puppy Fest (2016)
3. Murder at the Polo Club (2016)
4. Murder at the Butterfly Release (2016)
5. Murder at Sea Oats Beach (2017)

Seacliff High Mysteries (YA Cozy)

1. The Secret (2014) – A teen sleuth tackles small-town mysteries.
2. The Curse (2014)
3. The Relic (2014)
4. The Conspiracy (2015)

Writers Retreat Mysteries

1. Deadly Retreat (2015) – A retreat for writers becomes the perfect setting for murder.
2. Deadly Gamble (2015)
3. Deadly Reunion (2015)
4. Deadly Holiday (2015)

Other Popular Series

• Rescue Alaska Mysteries (2017–2019) – Animal rescues and murder investigations.
• Inn at Holiday Bay Mysteries (2018–2022) – Cozy inn life mixed with crime-solving.
• Seaview Cottages Mysteries (2019–2021) – Florida life and quirky residents with secrets.
• Tess and Tilly Mysteries (2017–2019) – Another cozy pet-friendly series.

Chronological Order

For Kathi Daley, the chronological order matches publication order. Each series moves forward in time naturally, often following holidays, seasons, or festivals. For example, the Zoe Donovan Mysteries progress from Halloween through Thanksgiving and Christmas in order.

Recommended Reading Order

The recommended reading order is to follow publication order within each series.

• Start with the Zoe Donovan Mysteries if you want her flagship holiday-themed series.
• Try the Whales and Tails Mysteries if you enjoy magical cats and island settings.
• Pick the Inn at Holiday Bay if you prefer innkeeper life with a blend of drama and crime.
• The Seacliff High Mysteries are perfect for readers who enjoy young adult sleuths.

Each series stands alone, but publication order ensures smoother progression of recurring characters and relationships.

Complete Book Series List (Checklist)

Here is a complete checklist of Kathi Daley’s mystery series:

• Zoe Donovan Mysteries — 25+ books (2013–2019)
• Whales and Tails Mysteries — 15+ books (2015–2021)
• Sand and Sea Mysteries — 5 books (2016–2017)
• Seacliff High Mysteries — 4 books (2014–2015)
• Writers Retreat Mysteries — 4 books (2015)
• Rescue Alaska Mysteries — 6 books (2017–2019)
• Tess and Tilly Mysteries — 7 books (2017–2019)
• Inn at Holiday Bay Mysteries — 20+ books (2018–2022)
• Seaview Cottages Mysteries — 5 books (2019–2021)

Upcoming and Latest Release

The most recent series concluded in 2022 with the Inn at Holiday Bay Mysteries. As of 2025, Kathi Daley has shifted to publishing smaller series and standalones, but fans continue to enjoy her vast backlist of more than 100 cozy mysteries.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about Kathi Daley books in order.

How many Zoe Donovan Mysteries are there?
There are over 25 books in the Zoe Donovan Mysteries, published between 2013 and 2019.

Is the Zoe Donovan series finished?
Yes, the series concluded, though fans can still read it in full.

What order should I read Kathi Daley’s books in?
Publication order within each series is best, starting with Halloween Hijinks.

Does Kathi Daley write standalones?
Most of her work is in series, but some shorter projects and novellas exist.

Which Kathi Daley series is most popular?
The Zoe Donovan Mysteries and Whales and Tails Mysteries are the most widely read.

Are Kathi Daley’s books cozy mysteries?
Yes, all her books fall within the cozy mystery genre, often featuring pets, small towns, and seasonal themes.

Related Series

If you enjoy Kathi Daley’s cozy mysteries, you may also like:

• Ellie Alexander Books in Order – Culinary and bakeshop mysteries.
• Angie Fox Books in Order – Light paranormal cozy mysteries.
• Betty Hechtman Books in Order – Crochet and yarn retreat mysteries.

These authors share Daley’s cozy, heartwarming mystery style with strong recurring characters and themed backdrops.

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