The Cece Barton Series in Order

About the Cece Barton series

Series Premise

Cece Barton, a widowed mother with a daughter in college, relocates to the picturesque town of Colinas in California's Alexander Valley wine region to live near her twin sister and take a job managing Vino y Vida, a popular wine bar. When murders occur—often involving locals, wine industry figures, or people connected to the bar or her new life—Cece finds herself drawn into investigating, using her sharp observation, community connections, and occasional amateur sleuthing skills to uncover killers while balancing work, family, and the occasional romantic spark.

The series can be read as standalones or in any order, as each book presents a self-contained mystery with its own victim, suspects, and satisfying resolution tied to a unique wine-country event or bar-related drama—while there is gentle ongoing character development (such as Cece's adjustment to her new life, family relationships, and subtle personal growth), the overarching elements are minimal and non-essential, allowing readers to start anywhere without missing critical backstory or spoilers.

Main Characters

Cece Barton: The warm, capable protagonist and manager of Vino y Vida; a widowed single mom in her forties, she is intelligent, resilient, and observant, using her people skills and life experience to navigate mysteries while rebuilding her life, supporting her college-aged daughter, and embracing her new community.

- Her twin sister: A supportive family anchor living nearby in Colinas; she provides emotional grounding, occasional comic relief, and a close bond that helps Cece adjust to wine-country life.

Setting

The stories are set in Colinas, a fictional town in California's Alexander Valley wine country—a lush, rolling region of vineyards, boutique wineries, tasting rooms, olive groves, and charming small-town streets north of San Francisco. The Vino y Vida wine bar serves as the central hub: a welcoming spot with elegant decor, outdoor patios, wine flights, small plates, and a steady stream of locals and tourists. Investigations extend to nearby vineyards, family estates, holiday events, wine festivals, and rural roads, evoking the sensory beauty of wine country—sun-drenched hills, grapevines, fresh air, and seasonal rhythms—while grounding the coziness in authentic California wine culture.

Tone & Themes

Warm, witty, and gently suspenseful, the tone radiates cozy appeal with humor from small-town quirks and Cece's relatable narration, light romantic tension, and mouthwatering descriptions of wine tastings, charcuterie, and local cuisine that keep the mood uplifting and escapist. It balances mild intrigue with feel-good moments of friendship, family, and community. Themes focus on second chances after loss and relocation, the joys of new beginnings in a beautiful setting, women's independence and resourcefulness, the importance of family (including twin bonds and parenting), community support amid gossip and secrets, forgiveness and moving forward, and the idea that everyday observations in a close-knit world can reveal hidden truths.

The Cece Barton Mystery series pours out pure cozy delight, blending the elegance of wine country with the satisfying snap of a well-solved murder and the warmth of family and new beginnings. Maddie Day crafts an irresistible escape where Cece Barton proves that starting over—with a glass of good wine, sharp instincts, and a loving community—can turn any shadow into sunshine, leaving readers relaxed, entertained, and ready for the next vintage mystery in this sunny California saga.