Leslie Meier Books in Order: Lucy Stone Mysteries & More

Leslie Meier’s books in order begin with the long-running Lucy Stone mysteries and also include the Carole and Poopsie series. Lucy is a newspaper reporter, mother, and amateur sleuth in fictional Tinker’s Cove, Maine, where holidays and community events have a habit of ending in murder.

I recommend reading the Lucy Stone books in publication order. Each central mystery is largely self-contained, but Lucy’s family, career, friendships, and life in Tinker’s Cove develop from one book to the next.

Jump to:

Leslie Meier Books by Series
- Lucy Stone Mystery Books
- Carole and Poopsie Series
About Leslie Meier

Leslie Meier Books by Series

Lucy Stone Mystery Books

The Lucy Stone mysteries follow a newspaper reporter and amateur sleuth in the small coastal town of Tinker’s Cove. I’d start with Mistletoe Murder and continue in publication order. You can pick up an individual case on its own, but reading from the beginning gives you the full progression of Lucy’s marriage, children, work, and recurring relationships.

The first novel was originally published in 1991 as Mail-Order Murder and was later retitled Mistletoe Murder. These are two editions of the same story, so you only need one copy.

Mistletoe Murder (originally published as Mail-Order Murder) (1991)
Tippy Toe Murder (1994)
Trick or Treat Murder (1996)
Back to School Murder (1997)
Valentine Murder (1999)
Christmas Cookie Murder (1999)
Turkey Day Murder (2000)
Wedding Day Murder (2001)
Birthday Party Murder (2002)
Father’s Day Murder (2003)
Star Spangled Murder (2004)
New Year’s Eve Murder (2005)
Bake Sale Murder (2006)
St. Patrick’s Day Murder (2008)
Mother’s Day Murder (2009)
Wicked Witch Murder (2010)
English Tea Murder (2011)
Chocolate Covered Murder (2012)
Easter Bunny Murder (2013)
Christmas Carol Murder (2013)
French Pastry Murder (2014)
Candy Corn Murder (2015)
British Manor Murder (2016)
Turkey Trot Murder (2017)
Silver Anniversary Murder (2018)
Invitation Only Murder (2019)
Irish Parade Murder (2021)
Easter Bonnet Murder (2022)
Mother of the Bride Murder (2023)
Patchwork Quilt Murder (2024)
Bridal Shower Murder (2025)
Countdown to Christmas Murder (2026)

Lucy Stone Novellas and Short Stories

Leslie Meier’s shorter Lucy Stone mysteries first appeared in multi-author collections. Several were later released as standalone ebooks, so the year below reflects the story’s original publication rather than a later reissue.

Candy Canes of Christmas Past is an optional chronological prequel. It takes Lucy back to December 1983, when she was newly arrived in Tinker’s Cove. I still prefer keeping it in publication order, but readers who want the earliest event in Lucy’s timeline can read it before Mistletoe Murder.

Easter Egg Murder brings Carole and Lucy Stone together. I’d read A Matter of Pedigree first if you want Carole’s formal introduction, but the crossover remains part of the shorter Lucy Stone fiction rather than the numbered Carole and Poopsie novels.

Carole and Poopsie Series

The Carole and Poopsie mysteries follow Carole Capobianco, a newly wealthy Rhode Island empty-nester, and Poopsie, her spoiled and nosy Brittany spaniel. I recommend beginning with A Matter of Pedigree, which introduces Carole in her own full-length series.

A Matter of Pedigree (2025)
Top Dog Murder (2026)

About Leslie Meier

Leslie Meier is the author of the Lucy Stone mysteries and the Carole and Poopsie series. Her fiction draws on her experience as a mother of three and as a reporter for weekly newspapers on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Meier began writing while taking graduate classes at Bridgewater State College to become certified to teach high school English. A professor encouraged her to submit a course paper to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine’s Department of First Stories. The magazine published it and paid her $100.

Lucy Stone shares several details with her creator. Both worked as newspaper reporters while raising families, and Lucy’s farmhouse resembles Meier’s home on Cape Cod. Meier has also said that Lucy’s children developed in ways that roughly paralleled her own family as the series continued.

Meier’s debut Lucy Stone novel was published by Viking in 1991 as Mail-Order Murder. Later editions use the title Mistletoe Murder. The series pairs self-contained investigations with Lucy’s continuing family life, journalism career, friendships, and role in the Tinker’s Cove community.

Looking for similar books in order?

If you want more mystery authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Mystery Books in Order index.