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Denise Swanson is a bestselling cozy mystery author best known for her Scumble River Mysteries, Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries, and Chef-to-Go Mysteries. The Scumble River series begins with Murder of a Small-Town Honey (2000), while her later series expand into retail and culinary-themed sleuthing. The best way to read her books is in publication order, as characters, relationships, and ongoing storylines evolve naturally over time. Below you’ll find the complete reading orders, chronological details, and FAQs.
Publication Order – Scumble River Mysteries
This is Denise Swanson’s longest and most popular series, following school psychologist Skye Denison Boyd as she solves murders in the quirky town of Scumble River, Illinois.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murder of a Small-Town Honey | 2000 |
| 2 | Murder of a Sweet Old Lady | 2001 |
| 3 | Murder of a Sleeping Beauty | 2002 |
| 4 | Murder of a Snake in the Grass | 2003 |
| 5 | Murder of a Barbie and Ken | 2003 |
| 6 | Murder of a Pink Elephant | 2004 |
| 7 | Murder of a Smart Cookie | 2005 |
| 8 | Murder of a Real Bad Boy | 2006 |
| 9 | Murder of a Botoxed Blonde | 2007 |
| 10 | Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry | 2008 |
| 11 | Murder of a Royal Pain | 2009 |
| 12 | Murder of a Wedding Belle | 2010 |
| 13 | Murder of a Bookstore Babe | 2011 |
| 14 | Murder of a Creped Suzette | 2011 |
| 15 | Murder of the Cat’s Meow | 2012 |
| 16 | Murder of a Stacked Librarian | 2013 |
| 17 | Dead in the Water (Scumble River reboot) | 2017 |
| 18 | Die Me a River | 2018 |
| 19 | Come Homicide or High Water | 2019 |
The first 16 books are published by Signet, while the later titles reboot the series under Sourcebooks.
Publication Order – Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries
This spinoff series stars Dev Sinclair, who runs an old-fashioned five-and-dime store in Missouri and uncovers mysteries while juggling romance and small-town life.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Shop of Homicide | 2012 |
| 2 | Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death | 2013 |
| 3 | Dead Between the Lines | 2014 |
| 4 | Dying for a Cupcake | 2015 |
| 5 | Between a Book and a Hard Place | 2016 |
| 6 | Lions and Tigers and Murder, Oh My | 2017 |
This series blends cozy charm with a touch of romance, appealing to readers who enjoy community-driven mysteries.
Publication Order – Chef-to-Go Mysteries
In her most recent series, Swanson introduces Dani Sloan, who runs a catering business and solves murders in between preparing meals.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tart of Darkness | 2018 |
| 2 | Leave No Scone Unturned | 2020 |
| 3 | Poppy Harmon and the Hung Jury (contributed) | 2021 |
These books combine food-themed cozies with fast-paced sleuthing, perfect for fans of culinary mysteries.
Chronological Order
For Denise Swanson’s books, the chronological order matches the publication order in each series. Characters and their personal lives progress in real time, so reading out of sequence can spoil major relationship developments, particularly in the Scumble River Mysteries.
Recommended Reading Order
The best reading experience comes from following publication order. Each mystery can be enjoyed on its own, but long-term fans benefit from seeing character arcs develop across the series. For example, Skye Denison’s romantic and professional journey in the Scumble River Mysteries unfolds gradually and is most rewarding when read sequentially.
If you’re new to Denise Swanson, start with Murder of a Small-Town Honey in the Scumble River series, then explore her Devereaux’s Dime Store and Chef-to-Go series.
Complete Book Series List
Here’s a full checklist of Denise Swanson’s works across her cozy mystery series:
- Scumble River Mysteries (19 books, 2000–2019)
- Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries (6 books, 2012–2017)
- Chef-to-Go Mysteries (3 books, 2018–2021)
She has also contributed to cozy mystery anthologies and collections.
Upcoming / Latest Release
The most recent Scumble River book is Come Homicide or High Water (2019), while the latest in the Chef-to-Go series is Leave No Scone Unturned (2020). As of now, no future releases have been officially announced, but Swanson remains active, and fans continue to hope for more installments.
Further, you can also read other books in order from the popular authors on this page.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Denise Swanson’s books in order.
How many books are in the Scumble River Mysteries?
There are 19 books, beginning with Murder of a Small-Town Honey (2000) and ending with Come Homicide or High Water (2019).
Is the Scumble River series finished?
The series is ongoing but currently paused, with the last release in 2019.
What order should I read Denise Swanson’s books in?
Publication order is best, as character arcs build naturally.
What other series has Denise Swanson written?
She also wrote the Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries (6 books) and the Chef-to-Go Mysteries (3 books).
Does Denise Swanson write outside of cozies?
While she is primarily known for cozy mysteries, she has contributed to anthologies and themed collections.
Internal Linking / Related Series
Fans of Denise Swanson may also enjoy:
- Alex Erickson Books in Order – cozy mysteries with bookstore settings.
- Stephanie Blackmoore Books in Order – wedding-themed cozy mysteries.
- Catherine Bruns Books in Order – culinary cozies filled with humor and suspense.