Betty Hechtman Books in Order (Complete Reading Guide)

Betty Hechtman is best known for her Crochet Mystery series, which begins with Hooked on Murder (2008). She also writes the Yarn Retreat Mysteries and *Writer for Hire Mysteries. The best way to read her books is in publication order, as each series develops recurring characters, friendships, and small-town mysteries that build with time.

Publication Order

Here is the publication order of Betty Hechtman’s major cozy mystery series and standalones. Reading them in this order gives you the natural progression of her characters and settings.

Crochet Mysteries

1. Hooked on Murder (2008) – The debut introduces Molly Pink, a bookstore event coordinator who stumbles into murder and crochet.
2. Dead Men Don’t Crochet (2008) – A new crafting class becomes entangled with crime.
3. By Hook or By Crook (2009) – A fundraiser takes a deadly turn.
4. A Stitch in Crime (2010) – The crochet group is caught up in another tangled mystery.
5. You Better Knot Die (2010) – Family drama intersects with a deadly case.
6. Behind the Seams (2011) – Hollywood glamour and mystery unravel.
7. If Hooks Could Kill (2012) – A crochet conference leads to chaos.
8. For Better or Worsted (2013) – A wedding-themed project brings more than joy.
9. Knot Guilty (2014) – The group’s yarn fair turns deadly.
10. Seams Like Murder (2015) – New tensions brew in Tarzana.
11. Knit to Be Tied (2016) – Family connections complicate another mystery.
12. A Tangled Yarn (2017) – Old letters reveal dangerous secrets.
13. On the Hook (2018) – Molly faces one of her most personal cases yet.
14. Knot on Your Life (2019) – Yarn fun mixes with fatal consequences.
15. Killer Hooks (2020) – Mystery strikes close to Molly’s circle.
16. Knot Ready for Murder (2021) – A crochet retreat takes a dark turn.
17. Something’s Knot Kosher (2022) – A cultural event becomes a crime scene.
18. Kill or Be Kilt (2023) – The latest cozy installment brings Scottish flavor to Molly’s world.

Yarn Retreat Mysteries

1. Yarn to Go (2013) – Casey Feldstein inherits a retreat business on the Monterey Peninsula.
2. Silence of the Lamb’s Wool (2014) – Casey juggles baking, retreats, and mystery.
3. Wound Up in Murder (2015) – A historic inn hides secrets.
4. Gone with the Wool (2016) – A local fair spirals into danger.
5. Hooking for Trouble (2017) – Casey faces her trickiest mystery yet.
6. Inherit the Wool (2019) – A family inheritance creates deadly disputes.
7. Knot a Game (2020) – Games and yarn crafts collide with crime.
8. Cast On, Kill Off (2022) – The retreat faces another shocking twist.

Writer for Hire Mysteries

1. Write Away (2018) – Veronica Blackstone starts her ghostwriting business and stumbles upon a deadly mystery.
2. Revenge is Sweet (2020) – Writing projects turn into dangerous entanglements.
3. Murder Ink (2022) – Veronica faces both client drama and crime.

Chronological Order

For Betty Hechtman, the chronological order matches publication order. Each mystery takes place sequentially with no prequels or timeline shifts. Following publication order ensures you see the evolution of characters and relationships naturally.

Recommended Reading Order

The recommended reading order is publication order within each series.

• Start with the Crochet Mysteries if you want her flagship cozy series, packed with crafting details and Molly Pink’s sleuthing.
• Try the Yarn Retreat Mysteries if you prefer a coastal setting with yarn and baking themes.
• Choose the Writer for Hire Mysteries for a modern twist involving ghostwriting and publishing.

Each series stands alone, so you can pick based on your favorite theme, but publication order ensures smoother progression.

Complete Book Series List (Checklist)

Here is a full checklist of Betty Hechtman’s works:

• Crochet Mysteries — 18 books (2008–2023)
• Yarn Retreat Mysteries — 8 books (2013–2022)
• Writer for Hire Mysteries — 3 books (2018–2022)
• Standalone/Other Works — Occasional short stories in cozy mystery anthologies

Upcoming and Latest Release

The latest Crochet Mystery is Kill or Be Kilt (2023). Hechtman continues to release books almost yearly, so another Crochet or Yarn Retreat installment is expected in 2025.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about Betty Hechtman books in order.

How many Crochet Mysteries are there?
There are 18 books as of 2023.

Is the Crochet Mystery series finished?
No. The series is ongoing, with new releases continuing each year.

What order should I read Betty Hechtman’s books in?
Publication order is best, starting with Hooked on Murder (2008).

Does Betty Hechtman only write crochet-themed mysteries?
No. She also writes the Yarn Retreat Mysteries and Writer for Hire Mysteries, which focus on retreats, baking, and writing.

Do you need to crochet to enjoy the Crochet Mysteries?
Not at all. Each book includes patterns and projects, but the stories are cozy mysteries first, with crafting as a theme.

Which Betty Hechtman series is most popular?
The Crochet Mysteries remain her flagship and longest-running series.

Related Series

If you enjoy Betty Hechtman’s cozy mysteries, you may also like:

• Leslie Meier Books in Order – Holiday-themed Lucy Stone Mysteries.
• E. J. Copperman Books in Order – Humorous and quirky cozy mysteries.
• Kathi Daley Books in Order – Animal and seasonal cozy mystery series.

These authors share the same cozy, small-town mystery charm with a unique hobby or theme woven into every story.

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