Northwest Cozy Mystery Books In Order

Publication Order of Northwest Cozy Mystery Books

Coming from California, the American writer Dianne Harman is world renowned for her fun and inventive mystery novels. Writing for a global audience, she is a master of the format when it comes to cozy mystery novels that are suspense fuelled and witty in equal measure. Gaining a loyal following throughout the years, many have come to appreciate her unique and idiosyncratic style and ton. With a whole host of series under her belt too, she manages to keep her readers continually coming back for more time and time again. Her ‘Northwest Cozy Mysteries’ series of novels is a prime example of this, in that they’ve gained a lot of traction in recent years. As a franchise it takes place in the Northwest of America, like its title says, charting a number of mysteries that take place there. Following the main character of DeeDee Wilson, it sees her as its lead protagonist in the ongoing series of cozy mystery novels. Each title involves its own separate mystery, whilst also coming back to the arc of Wilson herself, as she tries to make a success of her catering business.

As a series this has run for over eight novels so far, having started out back in 2017, with the titles themselves being published in quick succession of one another. This has allowed fans to fully invest themselves in the franchise without having to wait long between each instalment, letting them really get to know the characters. Not only that, but there’s also a lot of potential to continue the series indefinitely, as there’s a whole wealth of stories that can be made using the premise. Looking back at her other ‘Midwest Cozy Mystery’ series starting the previous year in 2016, this also looks set to carry on for a long time too.

Murder on Bainbridge Island

Coming out on the Kindle originally, this was to be the first book in the ‘Northwest Cozy Mysteries’ series of novels. Setting up the franchise, it was initially released on the 9th of March in 2017, as it would provide the first mystery to solve for the leading protagonist DeeDee Wilson. It would also work at establishing the location of the series as well, giving an idea of what was to come in the following novels.

As premise setting novels go, this one really excels in drawing the readers in, letting them understand what’s going on almost instantaneously. The character of DeeDee Wilson is fully fleshed out as a three-dimensional character, coming to life off of the page, allowing the reader to relate to them on a personal level. Taking the action into the Northwest, Harman creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the area, bringing it into full color. Providing fans of the series and the writer with something to look forward to, it works at building an arc, whilst also working on its own merits as a singular mystery.

Hoping to get her floundering catering business back on track, DeeDee Wilson hopes to get back on her two feet, which is why it seems the chance of a lifetime when she’s given the deal to manage a prestigious dinner party for those in the art community. That’s when the famous Seattle art gallery owner Lisa Sanders is found dead, sending out huge shock-waves through the community at large. Not only that, but it appears that the media are reporting it as a case of poisoning, which means Wilson must work against the clock if she hopes to save the reputation of her business. With a whole host of different suspects, it would appear that she has her work cut out for her though, from the competing art gallery owner jealous of Sanders’ success, to the continually rejected artist. Who could it possibly be, and what will they do to stop Wilson finding out? Can she find them before it’s too late and they strike again? What is the truth behind the murder on Bainbridge Island?

Murder in Whistler

Arriving not long after the first, this was the second book to come out in the ‘Northwest Cozy Mystery’ series of books. Published on the 30th of May in 2017, it would continue on from the previous title, providing another case file for the chief protagonist to solve. Along with that, it would also manage to develop the characters and the premise, whilst simultaneously remaining true to the tone of the original.

Working with the template that the previous book had set, this dives straight into the mystery, whilst also making it accessible to newcomers as well. With the characters now being firmly established, it’s business as usual for DeeDee Wilson as the leading protagonist, along with her trusty band of sidekicks. Taking place in Whistler, British Colombia, this time as well, it manages to transition the action effectively, without any detriment to the over-arcing narrative as a whole. Once again, it also allows readers to pick it up casually, whilst also rewarding its returning readers with a look into the developing life of Wilson.

Now with her catering business, Deelish, running successfully, DeeDee Wilson is finally on top of things, along with her private investigator boyfriend Jake. That’s when her old neighbor, Johnny Roberts, is murdered, drawing DeeDee and her boyfriend into another case, whilst also interrupting her trip to see her sister. With the suspects mounting up, it appears that she’s not short of people with motives for wanting Roberts dead, including a rejected fellow saleswoman, as well as his own brother jealous of his trust fund management. Accompanying Wilson this time are Jake and her dogs Balto and Yukon, as they aim to get to the bottom of the case and save the day. Who really murdered Roberts and why? Can she find them before they strike again? What happened during the murder in Whistler?

The Northwest Cozy Mystery Series

As a renowned novelist of cozy mysteries, long-time fans of the genre really can’t go wrong with this particular series from Dianne Harman. Clearly in her element here, she definitely manages to keep the momentum going throughout, constantly holding the readers on the edges of their seats. Playing with the format almost and having fun with it, she creates mysteries that really manage to stand up with the best of them. As a lead character, DeeDee Wilson also manages to rise up as a leading protagonist with her own personality, differentiating herself from the rest. This is a series that will carry on growing in stature, something that shall continue for quite some time to come yet.