Below is the complete list of Ellery Adams books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery Books
Publication Order of Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Books
Publication Order of Book Retreat Mysteries Books
Publication Order of Books By The Bay Mystery Books
Publication Order of Hope Street Church Mystery Books
with Tina Radcliffe
Publication Order of Novel Idea Mysteries Books
as Lucy Arlington
Publication Order of Secret, Book & Scone Society Books
Publication Order of Supper Club Mystery Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
About Ellery Adams
Ellery Adams is the pen name of American mystery author Jennifer Stanley, best known for her bestselling cozy mystery series centered around books, food, and small-town life. Writing under the Ellery Adams name, she has built a substantial catalog of interconnected and standalone mystery novels, many of which combine literary references, community-centered storytelling, and character-driven investigations. Reading Ellery Adams’ books in publication order provides the clearest way to follow recurring protagonists, evolving relationships, and shared fictional settings.
Adams began publishing in the early 2010s and quickly established herself within the cozy mystery genre. Her breakout success came with the Books by the Bay Mystery series, launched with A Killer Plot (2010). Set in the fictional town of Oyster Bay, North Carolina, the series introduces Olivia Limoges, a sophisticated amateur sleuth whose love of literature plays a central role in solving crimes. Publication order is particularly helpful here because Olivia’s personal life and friendships develop steadily across the series.
She followed with the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery series, beginning with Pies and Prejudice (2012). Set in Georgia, this series blends Southern charm, culinary detail, and murder investigations. As with her other works, Adams uses recurring townspeople and long-term character arcs, making chronological reading beneficial for understanding the growth of both protagonist and supporting cast.
One of her most popular ongoing series is the Book Retreat Mystery series, which debuted with Murder in the Mystery Suite (2014). Set at a literary-themed retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the series follows Jane Steward as she manages Storyton Hall, a resort dedicated to book lovers. The novels frequently reference classic literature and often structure mysteries around genre themes. Reading these in publication order preserves continuity in Jane’s relationships and the larger arc involving the retreat’s mysterious benefactor network.
Another widely recognized series is the Secret, Book & Scone Society, beginning with the novel of the same name in 2017. This series centers on Nora Pennington, a bookstore owner who helps others heal from trauma through carefully chosen books and baked goods. Compared to Adams’ earlier series, these novels place greater emphasis on emotional depth and recovery alongside mystery plotting. Publication order is particularly important here because the core group of women at the heart of the series evolves significantly over time, confronting personal struggles that carry from one installment to the next.
Across all her series, Ellery Adams’ writing style is defined by:
- Strong female protagonists
- Small-town settings
- Literary and culinary themes
- Emotional subplots interwoven with mystery
While each mystery contains a self-contained case, Adams consistently develops her characters beyond the immediate crime. That steady character growth makes reading in publication order especially rewarding.
In addition to writing as Ellery Adams, Jennifer Stanley has published under other pen names, but the Ellery Adams catalog remains her most extensive and recognizable body of work. Her novels have earned multiple appearances on bestseller lists within the cozy mystery category and have developed a loyal readership drawn to their blend of warmth, intellect, and suspense.
Viewed across her publication timeline, Adams’ career reflects increasing narrative confidence and thematic depth. Early series focus more tightly on puzzle-solving within charming communities. Later works incorporate deeper emotional arcs, especially around friendship, grief, and personal reinvention. Reading her books as they were originally released preserves that evolution—allowing readers to see how her protagonists grow not only as amateur detectives but as fully realized individuals within richly imagined towns.