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Maya Corrigan is best known for her Five-Ingredient Mystery series, beginning with By Cook or by Crook (2014). The series is best read in publication order, as each mystery builds on character relationships and running subplots. Below you’ll find the full book list, chronological details, recommended reading order, and FAQs.

Publication Order – Five-Ingredient Mysteries
Maya Corrigan’s series combines culinary flair with classic whodunits, set in a small Chesapeake Bay town. Here is the publication order:
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | By Cook or by Crook | 2014 |
| 2 | Scam Chowder | 2015 |
| 3 | Final Fondue | 2016 |
| 4 | The Tell-Tale Tarte | 2017 |
| 5 | S’more Murders | 2018 |
| 6 | Crypt Suzette | 2019 |
| 7 | Gingerdead Man | 2020 |
| 8 | The Corpse Who Knew Too Much | 2021 |
| 9 | Bake Offed | 2023 |
| 10 | A Parfait Crime | 2024 |
Each installment features Val Deniston, a café manager who solves crimes with her curmudgeonly grandfather while preparing dishes with just five ingredients.
Chronological Order
For this series, the chronological order is identical to the publication order. Each story builds sequentially on Val’s work at the café, her grandfather’s detective instincts, and the evolving dynamics of the town.
Reading in order ensures you catch all character growth and callbacks.
Recommended Reading Order
When it comes to Maya Corrigan’s books, publication order is the best choice. Each mystery is standalone, but recurring characters, subtle references, and long-running relationships make sequential reading more enjoyable.
Fans of culinary cozies will appreciate how recipes and family life weave naturally into each mystery.
Complete Book Series List
Here’s the complete checklist of Maya Corrigan’s works:
- By Cook or by Crook (2014)
- Scam Chowder (2015)
- Final Fondue (2016)
- The Tell-Tale Tarte (2017)
- S’more Murders (2018)
- Crypt Suzette (2019)
- Gingerdead Man (2020)
- The Corpse Who Knew Too Much (2021)
- Bake Offed (2023)
- A Parfait Crime (2024)
At this time, the Five-Ingredient Mystery series is Maya Corrigan’s main body of work.
Upcoming / Latest Release
The latest release in the series is A Parfait Crime (2024). As of now, no further titles have been announced, but the series has shown consistent popularity, and future installments remain possible.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about the Maya Corrigan books in order.
How many books are in the Five-Ingredient Mystery series?
There are 10 books published so far, from By Cook or by Crook (2014) through A Parfait Crime (2024).
Is the Five-Ingredient Mystery series finished?
As of now, the series is ongoing, though no new title has been announced beyond 2024.
What order should I read Maya Corrigan’s books in?
The recommended order is publication order, starting with By Cook or by Crook.
Do the books need to be read in order?
Each mystery can be enjoyed alone, but reading in order provides the best experience with character development and subplots.
What genre are Maya Corrigan’s books?
They are culinary cozy mysteries with recipes, humor, and small-town settings.
Want to Read More Books in Order
Want to find your next series? Browse other authors in the Books in Order section.
