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Sheila Connolly was a bestselling cozy mystery author known for her Orchard Mysteries, Museum Mysteries, and County Cork Mysteries. Her books are best read in publication order, as characters and relationships develop across each series. She also wrote under the pen name Sarah Atwell. Below you’ll find complete reading orders, chronological details, and FAQs.
Publication Order — Orchard Mysteries
Set in small-town Massachusetts, this series follows Meg Corey, a former banker turned apple orchard owner, who gets tangled in local murders.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One Bad Apple | 2008 |
| 2 | Rotten to the Core | 2009 |
| 3 | Red Delicious Death | 2010 |
| 4 | A Killer Crop | 2010 |
| 5 | Bitter Harvest | 2011 |
| 6 | Sour Apples | 2012 |
| 7 | Golden Malicious | 2013 |
| 8 | A Gala Event | 2015 |
| 9 | Seeds of Deception | 2016 |
| 10 | A Late Frost | 2017 |
| 11 | Dark Corners | 2018 |
Each story ties murder mysteries to orchard life, making them cozy yet rich with New England atmosphere.
Publication Order — Museum Mysteries
Nell Pratt, the protagonist, works at a historical society in Philadelphia and discovers that murder and history often go hand in hand.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundraising the Dead | 2010 |
| 2 | Let’s Play Dead | 2011 |
| 3 | Fire Engine Dead | 2012 |
| 4 | Monument to the Dead | 2013 |
| 5 | Razing the Dead | 2014 |
| 6 | Privy to the Dead | 2015 |
| 7 | Dead End Street | 2016 |
| 8 | The Final Curtain | 2020 |
These mysteries often incorporate real historical themes and artifacts, adding a unique twist.
Publication Order — County Cork Mysteries
This beloved series transports readers to Ireland, where pub owner Maura Donovan finds herself solving crimes amid lush Irish landscapes.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buried in a Bog | 2013 |
| 2 | Scandal in Skibbereen | 2014 |
| 3 | An Early Wake | 2015 |
| 4 | A Turn for the Bad | 2016 |
| 5 | Cruel Winter | 2017 |
| 6 | Many a Twist | 2018 |
| 7 | The Lost Traveller | 2019 |
| 8 | Fatal Roots | 2020 |
| 9 | Fatal Roots (final reissue) | 2021 |
Publication Order — Relatively Dead Mysteries
A paranormal cozy mystery series featuring Abby Kimball, who discovers she can see ghosts from the past.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Relatively Dead | 2013 |
| 2 | Seeing the Dead | 2014 |
| 3 | Search for the Dead | 2015 |
| 4 | The Dead of Winter | 2016 |
| 5 | A Child Lost | 2017 |
| 6 | The Demon’s Dead | 2018 |
This series blends cozy elements with supernatural intrigue.
Publication Order — Glassblowing Mysteries (as Sarah Atwell)
Published under her pen name, this series follows a glass artist caught in small-town mysteries.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Through a Glass, Deadly | 2008 |
| 2 | Pane of Death | 2009 |
| 3 | Snake in the Glass | 2010 |
Chronological Order
For Sheila Connolly’s works, the chronological order matches publication order within each series. Events progress naturally, with each new installment continuing character arcs.
Recommended Reading Order
The best reading order for Sheila Connolly’s books is publication order. While each mystery is self-contained, character development and relationships grow richer across the series. For example, Meg Corey’s transformation from banker to orchard owner in the Orchard Mysteries is most rewarding when read sequentially.
Complete Book Series List
Here’s a complete checklist of Sheila Connolly’s works:
- Orchard Mysteries (11 books, 2008–2018)
- Museum Mysteries (8 books, 2010–2020)
- County Cork Mysteries (9 books, 2013–2021)
- Relatively Dead Mysteries (6 books, 2013–2018)
- Glassblowing Mysteries (as Sarah Atwell) (3 books, 2008–2010)
Upcoming / Latest Release
Sheila Connolly sadly passed away in 2020. The Final Curtain (2020) in the Museum Mysteries and Fatal Roots (2020, reissued 2021) in the County Cork Mysteries were her final works. This means all series are now complete.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Sheila Connolly’s books in order.
How many books are in the Orchard Mysteries?
There are 11 books in total, from One Bad Apple (2008) to Dark Corners (2018).
Is the County Cork series finished?
Yes, it concluded with Fatal Roots (2020, reissued 2021).
Do Sheila Connolly’s books need to be read in order?
It’s best to read them in publication order for character continuity, though each book has a standalone mystery.
What pen name did Sheila Connolly use?
She wrote the Glassblowing Mysteries under the name Sarah Atwell.
What genre are her books?
She specialized in cozy mysteries, often blending history, crafts, and community life.
Related Series
Fans of Sheila Connolly’s cozy mysteries may also enjoy:
- Laura Levine Books in Order — humorous cozy mysteries.
- Denise Swanson Books in Order — the Scumble River and Devereaux’s Dime Store series.
- Catherine Bruns Books in Order — culinary cozy mysteries with strong amateur sleuths.