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Order of Jenn McKinlay Books
There are authors who write stories, and then there are authors who live them. Jenn McKinlay belongs to the latter category—a woman whose journey from library stacks to bestseller racks is as charming and unpredictable as the cozy mysteries she pens. If you haven’t read one of her books yet, let this be your official warning: her words are addictive. You’ll start with one and suddenly find yourself in a small town, entangled in a cupcake caper or a library whodunit, laughing out loud while guessing the next twist.
Early Life & Education: A Quiet Beginning for a Loudly Loved Author
Born on October 11, 1968, Jenn McKinlay’s early years weren’t spent on red carpets or bestseller lists. They were grounded in books, ink, and imagination. She grew up in Connecticut, a place rich in seasonal contrast and small-town charm—two things that often appear in her stories. From an early age, Jenn was the kind of girl who’d rather spend her weekend curled up with Nancy Drew than hanging out at the mall. That obsession with mysteries? It never left.
Jenn’s academic path took her to Southern Connecticut State University, where she studied English and library science. That’s right—before she became a full-time writer, she was a librarian. How poetic is that? A woman who once helped readers find books eventually became the one writing them.
Later, she earned a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida. It wasn’t long before the characters and plots in her head demanded more space than the shelves she managed—and she started writing.
From Library to Literary Fame
Jenn’s author journey didn’t begin with instant fame. Like many writers, she hustled through rejections and rewrites, shaping her voice and refining her craft. She dabbled in romance novels under pseudonyms before finding her true calling in the cozy mystery genre. When she finally stepped into the world of amateur sleuths, quirky towns, and mouthwatering cupcakes, readers couldn't get enough.
Her breakout success came with the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, a sugary sweet blend of murder and muffins. Soon after, she followed with the Library Lover’s Mysteries, a nod to her librarian past, where the local library becomes the epicenter of small-town crime-solving. The irony? Jenn, once a real-life librarian bound by the Dewey Decimal System, now writes about librarians chasing down murderers and piecing together clues.
Style, Humor & That Cozy Magic
Jenn McKinlay’s writing isn’t just entertaining—it’s alive. Her stories are bubbling cauldrons of wit, charm, and suspense. Every character she writes feels like someone you’ve known: a nosy neighbor, a sarcastic best friend, or that brooding bookstore owner with secrets. She’s a master of dialogue, a queen of pacing, and a firm believer in the idea that mystery and laughter are a match made in heaven.
But here’s the twist—behind the cozy is complexity. Her characters grapple with love, grief, trust, and ambition. Whether it's a baker trying to keep her business afloat or a librarian tangled in emotional choices, there’s always more brewing beneath the surface. That’s what hooks you.
Still Writing. Still Surprising. Still Unmissable.
As of now, Jenn McKinlay is alive and thriving in sunny Arizona, juggling motherhood, multiple bestselling series, and a passion for storytelling that hasn’t dimmed for a second. And no, she hasn’t “retired” or slowed down—thankfully. She’s still churning out delicious plots faster than most of us can finish our coffee. And every time a new book lands on the shelf, fans rush to grab it—not just for the mystery, but for that signature McKinlay magic.
What Makes Jenn McKinlay Unforgettable?
Maybe it’s her ability to write light stories with emotional depth. Maybe it’s the way she celebrates friendship, female empowerment, and community without making it feel forced. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the delicious tension between comedy and crime that keeps us hooked.
Either way, Jenn McKinlay is more than just an author—she’s a literary experience. And once you start reading her books, good luck stopping. Because like a well-iced cupcake or a midnight whodunit binge, one taste is never enough.
So what’s next?
Will the cupcakes continue to crack cases? Will librarians keep solving murders in between cataloging new releases? Will Jenn McKinlay step into new genres, surprising her readers once again?
Only time will tell.
But one thing is for sure: Jenn McKinlay’s story is far from over, and the best chapters might still be unwritten.
Publication Order of Series Books
Publication Order of Bluff Point Romance
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| About a Dog | 2017 | Amazon |
| Barking Up the Wrong Tree | 2017 | Amazon |
| Every Dog Has His Day | 2018 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Cupcake Bakery Myster
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkle with Murder | 2010 | Amazon |
| Buttercream Bump Off | 2011 | Amazon |
| Death by the Dozen | 2011 | Amazon |
| Red Velvet Revenge | 2012 | Amazon |
| Going, Going, Ganache | 2013 | Amazon |
| Sugar and Iced | 2014 | Amazon |
| Dark Chocolate Demise | 2015 | Amazon |
| Vanilla Beaned | 2016 | Amazon |
| Caramel Crush | 2017 | Amazon |
| Wedding Cake Crumble | 2018 | Amazon |
| Dying for Devil's Food | 2019 | Amazon |
| Pumpkin Spice Peril | 2020 | Amazon |
| For Batter or Worse | 2021 | Amazon |
| Strawberried Alive | 2022 | Amazon |
| Sugar Plum Poisoned | 2023 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Good Buy Girls Mystery
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| 50% Off Murder (with Josie Belle) | 2012 | Amazon |
| A Deal to Die For (with Josie Belle) | 2012 | Amazon |
| Buried in Bargains (with Josie Belle) | 2013 | Amazon |
| Marked Down for Murder (with Josie Belle) | 2014 | Amazon |
| All Sales Final (with Josie Belle) | 2015 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Happily Ever After Romance
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| The Good Ones | 2019 | Amazon |
| The Christmas Keeper | 2019 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Hat Shop Mystery
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Cloche and Dagger | 2013 | Amazon |
| Death of a Mad Hatter | 2014 | Amazon |
| At the Drop of a Hat | 2015 | Amazon |
| Copy Cap Murder | 2016 | Amazon |
| Assault & Beret | 2017 | Amazon |
| Buried to the Brim | 2020 | Amazon |
| Fatal Fascinator | 2023 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Library Lover’s Mystery
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Books Can Be Deceiving | 2011 | Amazon |
| Due or Die | 2012 | Amazon |
| Book, Line and Sinker | 2012 | Amazon |
| Read It and Weep | 2013 | Amazon |
| On Borrowed Time | 2014 | Amazon |
| A Likely Story | 2015 | Amazon |
| Better Late Than Never | 2016 | Amazon |
| Death in the Stacks | 2017 | Amazon |
| Hitting the Books | 2018 | Amazon |
| Word to the Wise | 2019 | Amazon |
| One for the Books | 2020 | Amazon |
| Killer Research | 2021 | Amazon |
| The Plot and the Pendulum | 2022 | Amazon |
| Fatal First Edition | 2024 | Amazon |
| A Merry Little Murder Plot | 2024 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Museum of Literature
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Valentine | 2022 | Amazon |
| It Happened One Christmas Eve | 2022 | Amazon |
| The Attraction Distraction | 2022 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Witches of Dubious Origin | 2025 | Amazon |
| I Can't Even | 2025 | Amazon |
| Love at First Book | 2024 | Amazon |
| Fondant Fumble | 2024 | Amazon |
| Summer Reading | 2023 | Amazon |
| Wait for It | 2021 | Amazon |
| Paris is Always a Good Idea | 2020 | Amazon |
| Keeping up Appearances | 2005 | Amazon |