Books On Board
series Reading Order

Andy Hayes Mystery Books in Order

8 Books
2014 – 2024 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Recommended Reading Order: Where to Start?

For the best reading experience, you should read the Andy Hayes Mystery series in publication order. While each book features a self-contained mystery, Andy's life, his reputation, and his personal relationships evolve significantly from one installment to the next. Starting with the first novel allows you to fully appreciate his path toward redemption after his football career fell apart.

Andy Hayes Books in Order

Here is the chronological order of the books and novellas by publication date:

  • Fourth Down and Out (2014) – The series opener, introducing Andy as he investigates a missing laptop and faces a murder charge.
  • Slow Burn (2015) – Andy takes on a case involving a suspicious fire in a historic Columbus neighborhood.
  • Capitol Punishment (2016) – A mystery surrounding local political corruption and murder in the state capital.
  • The Hunt (2017) – Andy searches for a missing woman amid a dangerous human trafficking ring.
  • The Third Brother (2018) – A search for a missing college student pulls Andy into a web of family secrets.
  • Fatal Judgment (2019) – Andy gets caught in a high-stakes case involving a missing judge.
  • An Empty Grave (2021) – A complex case involving past crimes and old secrets.
  • Sick to Death (2024) – Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, Andy investigates a medical malpractice conspiracy.
  • Rescue Me (2026) – A novella where Andy acts as a bodyguard for a targeted drag performer.

Spin-offs, Standalones, and Anthologies

If you want to read more by Andrew Welsh-Huggins, consider exploring these related works:

  • Columbus Noir (2020) – An anthology edited by Welsh-Huggins, featuring dark crime stories set in Columbus, Ohio.
  • The End of the Road (2023) – A standalone crime novel focused on a heist and its aftermath.
  • Mercury Carter Thriller Series – A separate thriller series by the author, beginning with The Mailman (2025) and The Delivery (2026).

Frequently Asked

QWho is Andy Hayes?

Andy Hayes is a former Ohio State and Cleveland Browns quarterback whose football career ended after a point-shaving scandal. He now works as a private investigator in Columbus, Ohio, seeking redemption.

QDo you need to read the Andy Hayes books in order?

Yes. While the mysteries are self-contained, reading them in order is highly recommended to follow Andy's character development and ongoing personal life.

QWhat is the latest book in the Andy Hayes series?

The latest entry is the 2026 novella Rescue Me, which follows the 2024 novel Sick to Death.

QWhere are the Andy Hayes mysteries set?

The series is set in Columbus, Ohio, and frequently features local landmarks, neighborhoods like German Village, and the Ohio State campus.

QWhat other series does Andrew Welsh-Huggins write?

In addition to the Andy Hayes series, he writes the Mercury Carter thriller series, which includes The Mailman (2025) and The Delivery (2026).