The Deputy Donut Series in Order

About the Deputy Donut series

Series Premise

Emily Westhill, a young widow and skilled donut maker, owns and operates Deputy Donut, a popular café in the quaint town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, where she creates creative, themed donuts alongside her retired police chief father-in-law. When murders occur—often linked to local events, customers, or the café itself—Emily's keen observational skills (honed from noticing customer quirks and donut details) draw her into investigating, as she pieces together clues while managing the shop, baking batches, and trying to stay out of official police business.
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 resolution tied to a unique donut theme or local happening—while there is mild ongoing character development (such as Emily's personal life, friendships, and subtle romantic hints), the overarching elements are minimal and non-essential, allowing readers to enjoy any entry independently without confusion or major spoilers.

Main Characters

Emily Westhill: The warm, capable protagonist and owner of Deputy Donut; intelligent, observant, and resilient, she channels her energy into baking innovative donuts while inevitably solving mysteries that intersect with her shop or customers—practical yet compassionate, she navigates grief from her past while embracing her new life.

- Tom Westhill: Emily's supportive father-in-law and co-worker; a retired police chief who brings law enforcement wisdom, dry humor, and steady presence to the café, often offering gentle advice or unofficial insights while respecting Emily's independence.

- Deputy Donut (the cat): Emily's clever, protective tabby cat; a shop mascot who lounges in the café, charms customers, provides comic relief through feline antics, and occasionally "helps" by noticing overlooked details or offering comfort.

Setting

The stories are set in the charming small town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin—a picturesque Midwestern community with friendly neighbors, seasonal festivals, local events like carnivals or holiday celebrations, and a slower pace that contrasts with the occasional murder. The heart of the series is Deputy Donut café itself: a welcoming spot filled with the aroma of fresh coffee and frying donuts, display cases of inventive flavors (from fritters to filled and themed varieties), cozy seating, and a constant stream of regular customers who gossip and share news. Investigations spill into town streets, homes, parks, and event venues, grounding the coziness in authentic small-town Wisconsin life with its changing seasons, community spirit, and subtle rural charm.

Tone & Themes

Warm, lighthearted, and gently humorous, the tone radiates cozy comfort with playful donut puns, friendly banter, and a sense of small-town camaraderie that keeps suspense mild and violence off-page. It emphasizes the joy of baking and sharing food, balanced by satisfying puzzle-solving and feel-good resolutions. Themes focus on community support in a close-knit town, second chances after loss (Emily's widowhood and rebuilding her life), the pleasures of creativity in the kitchen, women's empowerment through entrepreneurship, loyalty to family and friends, and the idea that everyday observations and kindness can uncover hidden truths amid ordinary life.

The Deputy Donut Mystery series serves up the perfect cozy escape—sweet, satisfying, and sprinkled with just enough intrigue to keep pages turning alongside fresh donuts. Ginger Bolton crafts an irresistible world where Emily Westhill proves that a sharp mind, a warm heart, and a killer glaze can solve any puzzle, leaving readers hungry for more mysteries, more treats, and more of that irresistible small-town warmth that makes Fallingbrook feel like home.