Cece Barton Mystery Books in Order

The Cece Barton Mysteries take Maddie Day's cozy style to northern California, trading pancake breakfasts and Cape Cod chowder for tasting flights and vineyard views. Cecelia Cece Barton is a widowed single mom who leaves Los Angeles for the town of Colinas in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, hoping a job at a small wine bar will give her a fresh start.

The series first introduces her in the novella Murderous Mittens, where a holiday visit to Colinas ends in a suspicious death at the bar that will soon become her workplace.

Cece manages, and later owns, Vino y Vida, a welcoming spot where locals and tourists sample regional wines, nibble on small plates, and share neighborhood gossip. Her twin sister Allie runs a nearby bed and breakfast, and Cece's college age daughter Zoe drifts in and out, bringing both joy and worry. That mix of family ties, second chances, and new romance gives the mysteries an emotional core.

Each book centers on a death that grows out of the valley's tight knit wine culture. In Murder Uncorked, a prominent figure in the local wine association is killed just as wildfire threatens the vineyards, and Cece becomes a suspect. Deadly Crush revolves around an abusive electrician who dies beneath a car lift, leaving behind a trail of cheated customers, frightened women, and angry co workers. A Poisonous Pour brings political fights over water and land use to a head when a controversial official is murdered after a classic car show and tasting event.

The series leans into the details of running a small business, from late night cleanups and staffing headaches to the satisfaction of pairing the right glass with the right customer. It also acknowledges the less glossy side of wine country life, including wildfire seasons, economic pressure on workers, and the clash between developers and residents who want to protect the valley.

Despite those heavier themes, the tone stays firmly in cozy territory, with humor, found family, and a guarantee of justice at the end.

If you like your mysteries served with tasting notes and a strong sense of place, this series is a natural fit. On this page you can see the Cece Barton titles in order, understand how the novella that launched the series connects to the later novels, and decide whether to sip them slowly or binge the whole flight.