The Death by Chocolate Series in Order

About the Death by Chocolate series

Series Premise

Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, a divorced woman in her thirties/forties with a knack for fixing things (homes and mysteries alike), teams up with her longtime best friend Ellie White to open The Chocolate Moose, a charming waterfront bakery specializing in decadent chocolate treats on the remote island town of Eastport, Maine. The duo hopes for a peaceful new chapter after past adventures (implied from Graves's prior series), but murder inevitably disrupts their sweet life. Each book features a standalone mystery—poisonings, stabbings, arsons, or suspicious deaths—often tied to The Chocolate Moose (e.g., a victim found with one of their treats, a rival sabotaging business, or catering gone wrong). Jake and Ellie investigate as amateur sleuths, using their observational skills, local connections, and baking knowledge (clues sometimes hidden in recipes or ingredients) to uncover motives amid small-town secrets, rivalries, festivals, or personal grudges. Ongoing threads include Jake's family dynamics (stepmom, daughter-in-law), business challenges (financial woes, competition), and light romantic elements, all while the women balance baking, sleuthing, and friendship.

Main Characters

> Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree: The protagonist—a practical, resourceful, divorced woman with a history of home repairs and amateur detecting (from Graves's prior series). Smart, no-nonsense, loyal, and creative in the kitchen; she handles baking and sleuthing with equal determination while navigating personal growth.
> Ellie White: Jake's bubbly, optimistic best friend and business partner—cheerful, intuitive, and skilled at baking/customer relations. She provides comic relief, emotional support, and complementary skills to Jake's more pragmatic style; their friendship is the series' emotional core.
> Wade Sorensen (or similar recurring male figures): Jake's supportive partner/husband (romantic interest from prior series)—steady, kind, often helps with investigations or bakery tasks.
> Family/Supporting Cast: Includes Jake's stepmom, daughter-in-law, local police (tolerant of the women's meddling), bakery staff/customers, and Eastport locals who add flavor (e.g., festival organizers, rivals, suspects). The ensemble emphasizes community bonds and quirky Maine characters.

Setting

The picturesque, isolated island town of Eastport, Maine—a real border town near New Brunswick, Canada—serves as the idyllic yet quirky backdrop. Eastport is depicted as a tight-knit coastal community with historic homes, foggy harbors, lobster boats, rocky shores, and a vibrant seasonal calendar (summer tourists, fall festivals, winter holidays, pirate-themed events). The Chocolate Moose bakery is the cozy heart: a waterfront spot with a welcoming vibe, where locals gather for coffee, treats, and gossip. Settings highlight Maine's natural beauty (ocean views, pine forests, crisp air) contrasted with small-town quirks (festivals, nosy neighbors, limited resources). Occasional plots venture to nearby areas or involve visitors (film stars, tourists), but Eastport and the bakery anchor the series' charm.

Tone & Themes

Quintessential cozy mystery—warm, humorous, light-hearted, and utterly comforting, with zero gore, minimal peril, and no dark psychological edges. The tone is optimistic and fun, full of foodie delight (vivid, tempting descriptions of chocolate confections that make readers hungry), gentle puns in titles (Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut, Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle), witty banter between Jake and Ellie, and small-town charm. Suspense is mild and puzzle-focused: red herrings, clever deductions, and satisfying resolutions where justice is served and the bakery thrives. Emotional moments touch on friendship, second chances, and community support, but everything stays uplifting—perfect "hygge" reading with recipes to bake at home. It's escapist cozy bliss for fans of culinary cozies like Joanne Fluke or Diane Mott Davidson.

The Death by Chocolate Mystery series is a deliciously addictive cozy escape, blending irresistible chocolate desserts, clever small-town murders, and unbreakable female friendship into pure comfort reading. Sarah Graves masterfully transitions her Home Repair heroine into a new sweet chapter, delivering gentle suspense, laugh-out-loud moments, and recipes that tempt readers to bake along. With 9+ books of heartwarming investigations and Eastport charm, it's a perfect treat for cozy mystery fans craving warmth, wit, and a side of indulgence.