Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cal Murphy Books in Order

12 Books
2012 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Cal Murphy Series

The Cal Murphy series, penned by thriller author R.J. Patterson (originally published under the pen name Jack Patterson), is a fast-paced mystery series blending sports drama with investigative suspense. The series follows Cal Murphy, a sports reporter who transitions into an amateur sleuth, and his photographer partner (and eventual romantic interest) Kelly Mendoza, as they unravel crimes across different athletic arenas.

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Cal Murphy books in publication order. This allows you to follow the ongoing character development, personal stakes, and evolving relationship between Cal and Kelly.

Cal Murphy Books in Publication Order

The series consists of 12 main novels, starting in rural Idaho and traveling to high-profile arenas across the United States. Here is the recommended order:

  1. Dead Shot (2012) – Originally published under the title Cross Hairs. Cal investigates the mysterious deaths of three high school athletes in rural Idaho.
  2. Dead Line (2012) – Cal is thrown into a high-stakes conspiracy surrounding an NFL quarterback's kidnapped son during the Super Bowl.
  3. Better Off Dead (2013) – Also published under the title Triple Cross. Cal investigates a high-profile murder in the college basketball scene.
  4. Dead in the Water (2014) – Set in Louisiana, Cal probes the suspicious death of a star college football recruit.
  5. Dead Man's Curve (2014) – Cal travels to Kentucky to investigate a murder framed around a rising basketball star, uncovering small-town corruption.
  6. Dead and Gone (2015) – A mystery surrounding a suspicious crash in the high-octane world of NASCAR.
  7. Dead Wrong (2015) – Cal uncovers a dangerous point-shaving scheme inside professional sports.
  8. Dead Man's Land (2015) – Cal is drawn into a dark conspiracy involving performance-enhancing drugs.
  9. Dead Drop (2016) – Cal investigates a black-market sports betting ring that turns deadly.
  10. Dead End (2016) – A high-profile murder of a sports agency mogul puts Cal directly in the crosshairs.
  11. Dead to Rights (2016) – Cal struggles to expose a powerful sports syndicate pulling the strings behind the scenes.
  12. Dead on Arrival (2018) – The series finale. When baseball superstar Chase Dollinger is found dead on arrival in New York, Cal and Kelly unravel a conspiracy that leaves Cal framed for murder.

Reading and Title Nuances

While tracking down these books, keep a few publishing differences in mind:

  • Pen Name Shift: Early editions of the books were published under the name Jack Patterson, but newer prints and digital editions are credited to R.J. Patterson.
  • Alternative Titles: The first book, Dead Shot, was originally published as Cross Hairs. Additionally, the third book, Better Off Dead, is sometimes listed under the title Triple Cross.
  • Spin-offs and Other Universes: While R.J. Patterson has written other major thriller series like the Brady Hawk and Titus Black black-ops thrillers, the Cal Murphy series remains a standalone mystery-thriller story that does not require reading his espionage books.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Cal Murphy series?

You should start with the first novel, Dead Shot (also published as Cross Hairs). Reading in publication order is crucial because the personal lives and relationship of Cal Murphy and Kelly Mendoza develop across the books.

QAre Jack Patterson and R.J. Patterson the same person?

Yes. The author originally published the Cal Murphy series under the name Jack Patterson, but later rebranded and released his books under his initials, R.J. Patterson.

QHow many books are in the Cal Murphy series?

There are exactly 12 novels in the main series, starting with Dead Shot in 2012 and ending with the final book, Dead on Arrival, in 2018.

QAre there any alternative titles for the Cal Murphy books?

Yes. The first book was originally titled Cross Hairs before being renamed Dead Shot, and the third book, Better Off Dead, was also published as Triple Cross.

QDo I need to read R.J. Patterson's other series to understand Cal Murphy?

No. While R.J. Patterson writes other popular thriller series like Brady Hawk and Titus Black, the Cal Murphy series is a standalone sports-journalism mystery series with its own self-contained narrative.

QWhat happens in the final book, Dead on Arrival?

In Dead on Arrival, Cal investigates the suspicious death of a baseball superstar. The stakes become highly personal when Cal himself is framed for the murder and must find the true killer to clear his name.