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series Reading Order

Bodhi King Books in Order

9 Books
2017 – 2025 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

The easiest and most rewarding way to experience the Bodhi King series is in publication order, which also matches the chronological sequence of the mysteries. Dr. Bodhi King's standalone journey begins with Dark Path and continues through his latest investigations. If you want his absolute first appearance, you can optionally start with his crossover debut in the Sasha McCandless series.

Bodhi King Standalone Series in Order

  • Dark Path (2017) – Bodhi is pulled out of retirement to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at a Florida Keys assisted living facility.
  • Lonely Path (2017) – A journey to Quebec leads Bodhi to investigate a designer-drug epidemic alongside an old flame.
  • Hidden Path (2017) – Bodhi visits a Buddhist monastery in Maine, only to find himself investigating a suspicious death.
  • Twisted Path (2019) – A baffling case involving a DNA anomaly that challenges Bodhi's scientific and spiritual beliefs.
  • Cold Path (2020) – Bodhi travels to a remote island in Georgia where a historical mystery intersects with a modern crime.
  • Flight Path (2021) – A mystery surrounding a double death at a bird sanctuary in Delaware.
  • Chosen Path (2022) – Bodhi investigates a death at a commune in the mountains of North Carolina.
  • Forgotten Path (2023) – A forensic investigation that takes Bodhi to a private ranch in Texas.
  • Clear Path (2025) – Bodhi leads a search for a missing woman and unearths long-buried secrets.

The Sasha McCandless Crossover (Optional Start)

For readers who want every single piece of Bodhi King's story, he was actually introduced as a supporting character in Melissa F. Miller’s legal thriller series. He debuted in Improper Influence (Sasha McCandless series Book 5), published in 2013. In this book, Bodhi approaches Sasha and her partner Connelly to investigate a series of linked deaths. While it is not necessary to read this to understand his standalone series, it provides rich backstory on his character and his forensic work in Pittsburgh.

A Connected Universe

Melissa F. Miller has constructed a shared universe for her thrillers. Not only do the Bodhi King and Sasha McCandless books cross over, but this world also includes the Aroostine Higgins series. While characters sometimes reference each other or pop up in minor cameos, you do not need to read the other series to fully enjoy Bodhi's peaceful, nonviolent, and highly logical approach to solving crimes.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Bodhi King series?

The best place to start is Dark Path, which is the first standalone novel. If you want to see Bodhi's very first appearance in the author's universe, start with the Sasha McCandless novel Improper Influence.

QDo I need to read the Sasha McCandless series first?

No. The Bodhi King series is written as a standalone experience. While Bodhi first appeared in Improper Influence (Sasha McCandless Book 5), his own series stands completely on its own.

QIs the publication order different from the chronological order?

No, the publication order of the Bodhi King standalone books matches the chronological timeline of the stories perfectly.

QWhat makes Bodhi King a unique protagonist?

Unlike typical thriller heroes, Bodhi King is a practicing Buddhist and a retired forensic pathologist. He prefers nonviolence and mindfulness, relying on deep empathy and scientific rigor to solve mysteries.

QHow many books are in the Bodhi King series?

There are currently nine novels in the standalone Bodhi King series, spanning from Dark Path (2017) to Clear Path (2025).

QWho are the other main characters in Melissa F. Miller's shared universe?

The shared universe features attorney Sasha McCandless, her partner Connelly, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aroostine Higgins, all of whom inhabit the same interconnected world as Bodhi King.