Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Books in Order
How to Read the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series
Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.
The series benefits from being read in publication order. While each book presents a self-contained mystery with its own complete resolution and no major cliffhangers carrying over, recurring characters, the museum’s ongoing “hauntings,†Maddie’s personal growth, and evolving relationships in the town add depth over time. Sequential reading allows readers to enjoy the progression of friendships, subtle callbacks to earlier cases, and the gradual expansion of the museum’s role in the community. Standalone enjoyment is fully possible, as new readers quickly grasp the premise and protagonist.
About the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series
Series Premise
The series revolves around Maddie Kosloski, who returns to her hometown after her career abroad hits a dead end. She ends up managing the San Benedetto Paranormal Museum—a quirky attraction filled with supposedly haunted objects, cursed artifacts, and oddities tied to local legends. Maddie is skeptical of the museum’s ghostly reputation and focuses on keeping the business afloat, but murders inevitably occur on or near the premises, pulling her into investigations. Each case involves a suspicious death that seems connected to the museum’s exhibits or history, forcing Maddie to sift through clues, interview eccentric townsfolk, and determine whether a real ghost, a human killer, or both are at play. Her sleuthing protects friends, clears innocent suspects, and uncovers motives rooted in small-town secrets, rivalries, or greed.
Main Characters
The protagonist is Maddie Kosloski, a practical, quick-witted woman in her thirties who returns home reluctantly but grows into her role as museum manager and amateur detective. Skeptical yet open-minded, she combines sharp observation with dry humor and genuine care for her friends and the community.
Her loyal black cat GD (short for Ghost Detecting) is a recurring fixture—aloof, attitude-filled, and often seeming to “know†more than he lets on, providing comic relief and subtle paranormal hints.
Setting
The stories are set in the charming wine-country town of San Benedetto, California—a picturesque community of vineyards, rolling hills, local festivals, and tight-knit neighborhoods. The heart of the series is the Paranormal Museum itself: a converted old building crammed with odd exhibits like haunted dolls, cursed mirrors, and alleged ghost-hunting gear. The museum serves as both Maddie’s workplace and the frequent crime scene, creating an atmospheric hub where everyday visitors mingle with eerie displays. Town life adds flavor through local businesses, charity events, holiday traditions, and the occasional wine-tasting mishap, grounding the mysteries in a warm, relatable California small-town vibe.
Tone & Themes
The tone is light, witty, and gently humorous—classic cozy mystery with a playful paranormal twist. Expect clever banter, quirky situations, and satisfying resolutions without graphic violence, profanity, or heavy suspense. Crimes are handled with restraint, focusing on puzzle-solving, character interactions, and the charm of small-town life. Themes include skepticism versus belief in the supernatural, the comfort of community and found family, second chances after career setbacks, the value of curiosity and persistence, and the idea that truth often lies somewhere between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Friendship, loyalty, and the joy of uncovering secrets in a close-knit setting run throughout.
The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series is a cozy reader’s delight—where haunted exhibits hide human secrets, and one skeptical sleuth proves that logic, loyalty, and a touch of whimsy can solve even the strangest crimes. Kirsten Weiss crafts a world that’s equal parts charming and clever, with Maddie’s dry wit and the town’s warmth making every mystery feel like a visit with old friends. For anyone craving light-hearted whodunits with quirky settings, endearing characters, and just a whisper of the supernatural, this series delivers endless comfort and clever fun—proving that sometimes the real ghosts are the ones we carry in our own small-town pasts.
FAQ
11 books
No new book in the series is currently scheduled. The latest book, A Deathly Display, was published in February 2026.
A Deathly Display was published in February 2026.
The first book in the series is The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, published in March 2016.
The series primarily falls into the Cozy Mystery genre.
It’s best to read the series in order. Each book has its own story, but ongoing character arcs and relationships develop across the series.
The series revolves around Maddie Kosloski, who returns to her hometown after her career abroad hits a dead end. She ends up managing the San Benedetto Paranormal Museum—a quirky attraction filled with supposedly haunted objects, cursed artifacts, and oddities tied to local legends. Maddie is skeptical of the museum’s ghostly reputation and focuses on keeping the business afloat, but murders inevitably occur on or near the premises, pulling her into investigations. Each case involves a suspicious death that seems connected to the museum’s exhibits or history, forcing Maddie to sift through clues, interview eccentric townsfolk, and determine whether a real ghost, a human killer, or both are at play. Her sleuthing protects friends, clears innocent suspects, and uncovers motives rooted in small-town secrets, rivalries, or greed.
The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.