Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. Cozy readers know her for three long-running worlds: a seaside library, a cupcake bakery and a London hat shop. Want to know where to start, which pen names she uses and what comes next? This page is your map.
Who Is Jenn McKinlay?
Before she became a novelist, McKinlay was a librarian. She studied English Literature and Library Science at Southern Connecticut State University and worked in libraries in Connecticut. Then she moved west to follow her dream of writing full time. That background is the secret ingredient of her best books. Her library scenes feel real, because the author Jenn McKinlay has run the reference desk herself.
Today she lives in sunny Arizona with her family, a house full of books and pets, and her husband’s guitars. She is the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. Her romance novel Paris Is Always a Good Idea was adapted into a Hallmark+ series. She is also a TEDx speaker. She is always happy to talk books with readers on Instagram, where she posts as @mckinlayjenn.
Jenn McKinlay’s Cozy Mystery Series in Order
McKinlay writes three main series. Each one has its own town, its own heroine and its own flavor.
Library Lover’s Mysteries (16 books)
Library director Lindsey Norris returns to her roots in Briar Creek, a small town on the Connecticut shore with its own cluster of islands. There she solves murders, and nearly every book ends with the real culprit unmasked. Her boyfriend Sully runs the local water taxi. The series starts with Books Can Be Deceiving (2011) and continues with Due or Die, Book, Line, and Sinker and Read It and Weep. The latest entries are A Merry Little Murder Plot (2024), a holiday mystery, and Booking for Trouble (2026).
Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (16 books)
Mel Cooper and Angie DeLaura run Fairy Tale Cupcakes in Scottsdale, Arizona. Between orders, they catch killers, and every suspect seems to have a sweet tooth. The series opens with Sprinkle with Murder (2010) and ends, for now, with Fondant Fumble (2024). Fans of the bakery can even try the recipes: Fairy Tale Cupcakes (2022) is a real cookbook.
Hat Shop Mysteries (7 books)
Cousins Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont run a hat shop on London’s Portobello Road. This is her most British series, with a family business and a mysterious past where secrets are revealed one hat at a time. It begins with Cloche and Dagger (2013), and the latest is Fatal Fascinator (2023).
Pen Names: Josie Belle and Lucy Lawrence
McKinlay has written under two pseudonyms. As Josie Belle, she wrote the five-book Good Buy Girls Mysteries, starting with 50% Off Murder (2012). The heroine and her friends are bargain hunters, and the deals are sometimes to die for. As Lucy Lawrence, she wrote the three Decoupage Mysteries, starting with Stuck on Murder (2009). Her earliest book, Keeping Up Appearances (2005), appeared as Jennifer McKinlay. Coffee lovers can also discover To Catch a Latte, one of her earliest stories.
Romance, Romantic Comedy and Fantasy
McKinlay’s romance series are just as popular as her mysteries. The Bluff Point books start with About a Dog and follow small-town love stories with a puppy or two. The Happily Ever After books include The Christmas Keeper. Her standalone romantic comedy novels include Paris Is Always a Good Idea, Summer Reading and Love at First Book. Recently she has added a fantasy series, Books of Dubious Origin, about a librarian witch.
Jenn McKinlay’s Newest Book and What She Is Working on Now
Her newest cozy mystery is Booking for Trouble, Library Lover’s book 16, published in February 2026. Next up is Witches of Questionable Intent, the second Books of Dubious Origin novel, due on November 10, 2026. The first book, Witches of Dubious Origin, came out in October 2025.
Books by Jenn McKinlay Reviewed on This Site
We have reviewed the first book of both of her biggest series. Our Books Can Be Deceiving review covers the start of the Library Lover’s series. Our Sprinkle with Murder review covers the first Cupcake Bakery mystery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jenn McKinlay
What is Jenn McKinlay’s pseudonym?
She has used two pen names: Josie Belle for the Good Buy Girls Mysteries and Lucy Lawrence for the Decoupage Mysteries. Her first book was published as Jennifer McKinlay.
Do I need to read Jenn McKinlay’s books in order?
Each mystery stands on its own, and the killer is always caught by the last chapter. The relationships, however, grow from book to book. To enjoy the best experience, start each series with book one.
What are Jenn McKinlay’s most popular books?
Her two longest series are the most popular: the Library Lover’s Mysteries and the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, with 16 books each. Among her romances, Paris Is Always a Good Idea stands out, thanks to its Hallmark+ adaptation.
What is Jenn McKinlay’s best-rated book?
Our favorite is Books Can Be Deceiving, because nobody writes a library better than a former librarian. On Goodreads, the Cupcake Bakery series sits at #39 on the Best Cozy Mystery Series list.
Where can I find a list of Jenn McKinlay’s books?
Her official website has the complete bibliography, sorted by series. The series lists on this page give you the reading order for her cozy mysteries.
Where can I find interviews with Jenn McKinlay?
She writes regularly for readers on her Substack, and you can find her TEDx talk online. She also posts news about upcoming books on Instagram and Facebook.