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series Reading Order

Burnside Mystery Books in Order

13 Books
2013 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Burnside Mystery Series in Order

The Burnside Mystery series, written by USA Today bestselling author David Chill, follows the cases of Burnside—a former USC football star and ex-LAPD officer who now works as a private investigator in Los Angeles. Because the novels follow a continuous timeline of Burnside's personal life and career, the best way to read the series is in publication order. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly, meaning you can dive straight in from the first book and follow his journey chronologically.

Recommended Reading Order (Publication & Chronological Order)

Start with the award-winning debut and follow the series as it was released:

  1. Post Pattern (2013)
  2. Fade Route (2013)
  3. Bubble Screen (2014)
  4. Safety Valve (2014)
  5. Corner Blitz (2015)
  6. Nickel Package (2015)
  7. Double Pass (2016)
  8. Tampa Two (2017)
  9. Flea Flicker (2018)
  10. Swim Move (2019)
  11. Hard Count (2020)
  12. Jet Sweep (2021)
  13. Bull Rush (2022)

Understanding the Burnside Universe and Themes

Each book in the series features a title inspired by football terminology, paying homage to Burnside's past as a USC Trojan prospect. While each novel presents a standalone mystery—ranging from tracking down a missing governor's daughter to solving corporate espionage and warehouse thefts—they are tied together by Burnside's character growth, evolving family dynamics (including his role as a father), and ongoing exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and sibling relationships.

David Chill's Other Works

If you're looking for more from David Chill, please note that his other publications do not tie into the Burnside universe:

  • Curse of the Afflicted (2017): A standalone medical suspense thriller.
  • Stage 5: A Cancer Journey: A personal memoir detailing the author's real-life decade-long battle with cancer.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Burnside Mystery series?

You should start with the first novel, Post Pattern (2013). This book introduces Burnside, establishes his backstory as a former USC football star and LAPD officer, and sets up his personal history and relationships.

QDoes the chronological order differ from the publication order?

No. The chronological order of Burnside's investigations matches the publication order of the books. Reading from Post Pattern through to Bull Rush is the best way to experience the narrative.

QAre the Burnside Mystery books standalone stories?

Yes, each novel features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end of the book. However, the overarching character development, family dynamics, and Burnside's personal life progress continuously across the series.

QWhy do the books have football-themed titles?

The football terminology in the titles (like Post Pattern, Bubble Screen, and Double Pass) is a nod to the protagonist's past as a former college football prospect at the University of Southern California (USC).

QHas the Burnside Mystery series won any awards?

Yes, the debut novel Post Pattern won an award in the Private Eye Writers of America contest for new mystery authors.

QIs there a 14th book in the Burnside Mystery series?

As of mid-2026, Bull Rush (published in late 2022) remains the 13th and latest novel in the Burnside series. No subsequent Burnside novels have been released.