Scrapbooking Mystery Books in Order
Laura Childs' Scrapbooking Mystery series follows Carmela Bertrand, who runs a scrapbooking shop in New Orleans and gets drawn into local murder investigations. The books combine crafting details, Cajun culture, and cozy mystery plotting with a cast of colorful New Orleans characters.
Keepsake Crimes
From the author of the popular Tea Shop Mysteries comes the first in a cozy crafting mystery series! Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in New Orleans' French Quarter, discovers a murder tip among her clients' keepsakes. When a city elite dies during Mardi Gras and police suspect her estranged husband Shamus, Carmela must piece together clues to uncover the truth and clear his name.
Published: 2003
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Photo Finished
The second Scrapbooking Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of the popular Tea Shop Mysteries. Carmela Bertrand hosts a late-night scrapbooking event at her French Quarter shop when a neighboring antiques dealer is murdered nearby. With her keen eye for detail and passion for preserving memories, Carmela finds herself compelled to solve the crime.
Published: 2004
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Bound for Murder
New Orleans scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand's pre-wedding party is overshadowed when a friend's intended groom is murdered. Asked to investigate the case and help her devastated friend, Carmela unravels a mystery with multiple dangerous loose ends that threaten to bind her in a deadly trap.
Published: 2004
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Motif for Murder
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand struggles to put her business and her relationship with her ex-husband Shamus back together. Her goals are undermined when Shamus is kidnapped from their home, forcing Carmela to navigate the storm-ravaged streets of New Orleans to find him and the criminals responsible.
Published: 2006
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Frill Kill
When her friend Ava hires a sexy tarot reader to entertain during a Halloween bash at her New Orleans scrapbooking store, Carmela never expected to stumble upon the corpse of a beautiful model or be attacked herself on the way home. Now she must unravel a deadly mystery before the killer strikes again.
Published: 2007
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Death Swatch
Murder comes to Mardi Gras in the latest book in Laura Childs' popular scrapbooking mystery series. When a partygoer at a French Quarter Mardi Gras celebration turns up dead, Carmela Bertrand finds herself drawn into another investigation. The book also includes scrapbooking tips and delicious recipes.
Published: 2008
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Tragic Magic
A New Orleans mansion is being converted into a haunted house for tourists, and scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand has been enlisted to help with the decorations. No sooner does the project begin than someone winds up dead. Carmela must navigate the spooky setting to unmask a very real killer.
Published: 2009
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Fiber & Brimstone
As Carmela Bertrand prepares for the French Quarter's gala Halloween Monsters and Mayhem Torchlight Parade, she overhears an argument between Brett Fowler and Jekyl Hardy. When Fowler is found murdered, Hardy becomes the prime suspect, and Carmela must unmask the real killer to save her friend.
Published: 2010
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Skeleton Letters
New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs sends her scrappy sleuths into New Orleans' French Quarter to investigate a crime at a church. Carmela and her best friend Ava search for a missing antique crucifix while uncovering a murder within their scrapbooking circle. The investigation leads them through the historic streets of the Big Easy.
Published: 2011
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Postcards from the Dead
New Orleans is in the throes of another fantastic Mardi Gras celebration when the party gets crashed by a murderer. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand receives eerie postcards signed by a murdered TV reporter, prompting her to investigate the killer's identity before becoming the next victim. Winner of the RT Reviewers Choice Award.
Published: 2012
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Gilt Trip
Louisiana businessman Jerry Earl Leland served only a fraction of his five-year sentence for white-collar crime, thanks to some political connections and a few greased palms. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand investigates when Jerry Earl is found stuffed in a clothes dryer during his wife's extravagant release party. As Carmela sorts through his business enemies, she must identify which one was motivated enough to kill.
Published: 2013
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Gossamer Ghost
Carmela Bertrand knows that Halloween in New Orleans means a week of rabble-rousing, costumed craziness, and she's eager to celebrate. However, when an antiques dealer dies mysteriously, she becomes entangled in investigating his murder. A body falls from a curio cabinet in the neighboring shop, and a valuable death mask goes missing, suggesting theft was part of the crime.
Published: 2014
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Parchment and Old Lace
This mystery follows scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand in New Orleans' Garden District. After an evening out is disrupted by a scream from Lafayette Cemetery, Carmela discovers a bride-to-be strangled with vintage lace. Carmela can't say no to the victim's sister Ellie, the tarot card reader at Juju Voodoo, when she asks her to help investigate. As Carmela probes the victim's past enemies, she races to identify the killer.
Published: 2015
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Crepe Factor
A mystery set during the Winter Market in New Orleans' French Quarter. Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand witnesses a restaurant critic stabbed with a serving fork. When her ex-flame becomes the prime suspect, Carmela investigates to protect her current relationship with Detective Babcock. The plot features layers of mysteries with rich descriptions that bring New Orleans to life.
Published: 2016
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Glitter Bomb
An exploding Mardi Gras float has got to be the strangest murder weapon scrappy sleuth Carmela Bertrand has ever encountered. During New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration, Carmela and her friend Ava investigate when a parade float explosion kills a krewe member. The incident appears to be intentional rather than accidental, and Carmela's ex-husband becomes a suspect.
Published: 2018
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Mumbo Gumbo Murder
A shocking murder strikes a sour note during Jazz Fest in the latest New Orleans Scrapbooking Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs. During the festivities, protagonists Carmela and Ava discover a murdered antique shop owner who was killed with an icepick. They must race to solve the crime before becoming targets themselves in this final book of the series.
Published: 2019
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Scrapbooking Mystery Books in Order: Complete Carmela Bertrand Reading Guide
Last updated: December 2025
Series Overview
The Scrapbooking Mystery Series has 16 books spanning from 2003 to 2019, set against the colorful backdrop of New Orleans.
Laura Childs brings her signature cozy mystery style to the Big Easy with Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in New Orleans' French Quarter. Between crafting classes, Mardi Gras celebrations, and her complicated relationship with ex-husband Shamus, Carmela finds herself solving murders with the help of her best friend Ava.
What makes this series special: The vibrant New Orleans setting—Mardi Gras, jazz, Cajun culture, and French Quarter charm—combined with creative scrapbooking tips makes this series uniquely atmospheric.
Reading Order Complexity Level: SIMPLE - Read in publication order
Quick Answer: The Complete Reading Order
1. Keepsake Crimes (2003)
2. Photo Finished (2004)
3. Bound for Murder (2004)
4. Motif for Murder (2006)
5. Frill Kill (2007)
6. Death Swatch (2008)
7. Tragic Magic (2009)
8. Fiber & Brimstone (2010)
9. Skeleton Letters (2011)
10. Postcards from the Dead (2012)
11. Gilt Trip (2013)
12. Gossamer Ghost (2014)
13. Parchment and Old Lace (2015)
14. Crepe Factor (2016)
15. Glitter Bomb (2018)
16. Mumbo Gumbo Murder (2019)
Note: This series concluded in 2019 with Mumbo Gumbo Murder.
Why Reading Order Matters
The Shamus Factor: Carmela's complicated relationship with her ex-husband Shamus Allan runs throughout the series. Their on-again, off-again dynamic provides ongoing subplot drama.
Detective Babcock: Carmela's relationship with NOPD Detective Edgar Babcock develops across multiple books.
Post-Katrina New Orleans: Book 4, Motif for Murder, takes place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and subsequent books reference the city's recovery.
Meet the Main Characters
Carmela Bertrand - Owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop, amateur sleuth with a talent for getting into trouble.
Ava Grieux - Carmela's best friend, owner of the Juju Voodoo shop, always ready for adventure.
Shamus Allan - Carmela's frustrating ex-husband from a wealthy New Orleans banking family.
Detective Edgar Babcock - NOPD detective and Carmela's love interest who tolerates her sleuthing.
New Orleans Celebrations
Many books coincide with New Orleans festivals and traditions:
- Mardi Gras features in several books including Death Swatch, Postcards from the Dead, and Glitter Bomb
- Halloween provides the backdrop for Frill Kill, Fiber & Brimstone, and Gossamer Ghost
- Jazz Fest plays a role in Mumbo Gumbo Murder
Series Themes
- Creative crafts - Scrapbooking tips and techniques woven throughout
- New Orleans culture - Mardi Gras, voodoo, jazz, and Cajun cuisine
- Female friendship - Carmela and Ava's unbreakable bond
- Southern charm - French Quarter atmosphere and Louisiana hospitality
- Mystery and romance - Murder-solving with a side of complicated relationships
What to Expect
- Cozy mysteries with New Orleans flair
- Scrapbooking tips and craft project ideas
- Recipes featuring Louisiana cuisine
- French Quarter atmosphere - the sights, sounds, and flavors of New Orleans
- Mardi Gras celebrations - parades, krewes, and costumes
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the series complete?
A: Yes, the series concluded with Mumbo Gumbo Murder in 2019. All 16 books provide a complete story arc.
Q: Do I need to scrapbook to enjoy these books?
A: Not at all! The scrapbooking elements add flavor but aren't essential to enjoying the mysteries.
Q: How does this compare to Laura Childs' other series?
A: The New Orleans setting gives these books a different feel than her Charleston-based Tea Shop series. If you love both cities, enjoy both series!
Q: Are there recipes included?
A: Yes! Each book features New Orleans-inspired recipes.
Start Your Reading Journey
Ready to explore the French Quarter? Start with Keepsake Crimes and meet Carmela Bertrand.