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series Reading Order

A to Z Mysteries Books in Order

40 Books
2 Reading orders
1997 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with A to Z Mysteries

The best place to start is at the very beginning with The Absent Author (the letter A). While every book in Ron Roy's series is a standalone mystery that can be enjoyed out of order, starting from the beginning helps readers get to know the three main detectives—Dink Duncan, Josh Pinto, and Ruth Rose Hathaway—and their hometown of Green Lawn, Connecticut. Reading in alphabetical order also lets kids experience the fun of tracking the alphabet from A to Z as their reading skills grow.

Publication Order of the Main Series

The original series runs in alphabetical order, which also matches the order in which they were published between 1997 and 2005:

  1. The Absent Author (1997)
  2. The Bald Bandit (1997)
  3. The Canary Caper (1998)
  4. The Deadly Dungeon (1998)
  5. The Empty Envelope (1998)
  6. The Falcon's Feathers (1998)
  7. The Goose's Gold (1998)
  8. The Haunted Hotel (1999)
  9. The Invisible Island (1999)
  10. The Jaguar's Jewel (2000)
  11. The Kidnapped King (2000)
  12. The Lucky Lottery (2000)
  13. The Missing Mummy (2001)
  14. The Ninth Nugget (2001)
  15. The Orange Outlaw (2001)
  16. The Panda Puzzle (2001)
  17. The Quicksand Question (2002)
  18. The Runaway Racehorse (2002)
  19. The School Skeleton (2003)
  20. The Talking T. Rex (2003)
  21. The Unwilling Umpire (2004)
  22. The Vampire's Vacation (2004)
  23. The White Wolf (2004)
  24. The X'ed-Out X-Ray (2005)
  25. The Yellow Yacht (2005)
  26. The Zombie Zone (2005)

A to Z Mysteries Super Editions

After finishing the main series, or as occasional longer reads, young sleuths can dive into the Super Editions. These books are slightly longer and feature the trio traveling to exciting locations outside of Green Lawn. Here is the recommended order for the Super Editions:

  1. Detective Camp (2006)
  2. Mayflower Treasure Hunt (2007)
  3. White House White-out (2008)
  4. Sleepy Hollow Sleepover (2010)
  5. The New Year Dragon Dilemma (2011)
  6. The Castle Crime (2014)
  7. Operation Orca (2015)
  8. Secret Admirer (2015)
  9. April Fools' Fiasco (2017)
  10. Colossal Fossil (2018)
  11. Grand Canyon Grab (2019)
  12. Space Shuttle Scam (2020)
  13. Crime in the Crypt (2021)
  14. Leopard on the Loose (2022)

The Spinoff: Calendar Mysteries

If your reader is younger or wants more adventures in Green Lawn, check out the Calendar Mysteries spinoff series. This series stars the younger siblings of our main characters—Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy. It follows a chronological pattern based on months of the year:

  1. January Joker (2009)
  2. February Friend (2009)
  3. March Mischief (2010)
  4. April Adventure (2010)
  5. May Magic (2011)
  6. June Jam (2011)
  7. July Jitters (2012)
  8. August Acrobat (2012)
  9. September Spy (2013)
  10. October Ogre (2013)
  11. November Night (2014)
  12. December Dog (2014)
  13. New Year's Eve Thieves (2014)

Frequently Asked

QDo you have to read the A to Z Mysteries in alphabetical order?

No, you do not have to read them in order since each book contains a standalone mystery. However, starting with the first book, The Absent Author, is highly recommended to become familiar with the main characters and the town of Green Lawn.

QWho are the main characters in the A to Z Mysteries?

The main characters are three third-grade best friends: Dink Duncan, Josh Pinto, and Ruth Rose Hathaway, who solve crimes together using their observation skills and teamwork.

QWhat is the recommended age group for these books?

The series is designed for early chapter book readers, typically ages 6 to 9 or children in grades 1 through 4.

QWhat is the difference between the main series and the Super Editions?

The Super Editions are longer, slightly more advanced mysteries. Instead of taking place in their hometown of Green Lawn, these adventures follow the characters to external locations like Washington D.C., the Grand Canyon, or detective camp.

QHow does the Calendar Mysteries series connect to A to Z Mysteries?

Calendar Mysteries is a direct spinoff series that features the younger siblings of the main characters (Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy) as they solve their own monthly-themed mysteries.

QDid Ron Roy co-author any of the A to Z Mysteries?

No, Ron Roy is the sole author of the series. However, he worked closely with illustrator John Steven Gurney, whose artwork is featured on the covers and throughout the pages of every book.