Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cal Claxton Mysteries Books in Order

9 Books
2013 – 2023 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with the Cal Claxton Mysteries

For the best experience, you should start the series with the first book, Matters of Doubt. This novel establishes Cal Claxton's backstory: his tragic past as a high-powered Los Angeles prosecutor, his move to Oregon following his wife's suicide, and his decision to start a one-man pro bono legal clinic at a Portland coffee shop called Caffeine Central. Reading the series in order allows you to watch Cal heal and see his relationships, especially with his loyal Australian shepherd, Archie, develop over time.

Cal Claxton Books in Reading Order

Since the chronological events follow the publication timeline, the recommended reading path is identical to the publication order. Here is the complete list of Cal Claxton novels:

  1. Matters of Doubt (2013) – Cal takes on a pro bono case for a homeless artist trying to solve his mother's cold-case murder.
  2. Dead Float (2014) – Cal's fly-fishing trip on the Deschutes River turns deadly when he hooks a corpse.
  3. Never Look Down (2015) – Investigating a street artist's death leads Cal into a web of real estate corruption and murder.
  4. Not Dead Enough (2016) – Cal defends a friend's son accused of killing a prominent Portland developer.
  5. Blood for Wine (2017) – Set in the Oregon wine country, Cal defends a winemaker accused of murdering his wife.
  6. Moving Targets (2018) – Cal represents an environmentalist accused of killing a timber executive.
  7. No Way to Die (2019) – A deadly ambush on Cal's remote property launches a personal and dangerous investigation.
  8. No Witness (2021) – Cal looks into a tragic incident involving a migrant family and local law enforcement.
  9. Fatal Flaw (2023) – A client asks Cal to settle her uncle's estate, leading him to a conspiracy involving a virus-detection device.
  10. Deadly Redemption (2024) – Cal tackles corporate greed in a high-stakes case that resolves long-held memories and guilt.

Awards and Accolades

Warren C. Easley's series has earned significant recognition from the mystery community. Blood for Wine was a finalist for the prestigious Nero Award (which honors literary excellence in the tradition of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories). Additionally, No Witness won the 2022 Spotted Owl Award, given annually by the Friends of Mystery to the best mystery novel written by a Pacific Northwest author.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Cal Claxton series?

You should read the series in publication order. The characters' personal arcs and relationships grow over the course of the novels, starting with Matters of Doubt.

QWho is the author of the Cal Claxton Mysteries?

The series is written by Warren C. Easley, a former research scientist and international business executive who resides in Oregon.

QWhere does the series take place?

The books are set primarily in Oregon, capturing local settings ranging from the Willamette Valley wine country and the Deschutes River to the streets of Portland.

QWhich Cal Claxton books have won awards?

No Witness won the 2022 Spotted Owl Award for best Pacific Northwest mystery, and Blood for Wine was a finalist for the Nero Award in 2018.

QDoes Cal Claxton have a dog in the books?

Yes, Cal is accompanied by Archie, his faithful Australian shepherd who joins him on his walks and travels throughout the series.

QWhat is Caffeine Central in the series?

Caffeine Central is the Portland coffee shop where Cal sets up an informal, pro bono legal clinic to help people who cannot afford representation.