Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Secret Poison Garden | 2018 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 2 | A Secret in Thyme | 2019 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 3 | Murder in the Moonshine | 2019 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 4 | Of Masques and Murder | 2020 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 5 | Murder Under the Tuscan Sun | 2022 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 6 | The Legend of Acorn Hollow | 2023 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
| 7 | Séance and Sensibility | 2026 | Maureen Klovers | Buy |
The Rita Calabrese series by Maureen Klovers is a culinary cozy mystery series featuring Rita, an Italian American amateur sleuth. Each book combines a murder investigation with food, gardening, and the dynamics of a tight-knit community. The series began with The Secret Poison Garden (2018) and has grown to seven books.
Rita is a sharp, warm protagonist whose Italian American heritage informs both the mysteries she solves and the world she moves through. The titles hint at the themes: poison gardens, herb lore, moonshine, Tuscan settings, and even a seance. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with strong food and cultural elements will find this series particularly appealing.