How to Read the Carmine Delmonico Series
For the best experience, you should read the Carmine Delmonico series in publication order. Because Colleen McCullough wrote the novels in chronological sequence, the publication order matches the character's chronological timeline. Starting with the first book ensures you follow Carmine's career and personal life, including his relationship with his wife Desdemona, as they develop naturally.
Publication & Chronological Order of Books
- On, Off (2006) – Set in 1965. Delmonico investigates a series of gruesome murders linked to a local neurosensory research institute.
- Too Many Murders (2009) – Set in 1967. Delmonico faces twelve murders committed in a single day amid Cold War tensions.
- Naked Cruelty (2010) – Set in 1968. A string of brutal attacks and murder plagues the suburb of Carew.
- The Prodigal Son (2012) – Set in 1969. A theft of a deadly toxin at Chubb University leads to a series of poisonings.
- Sins of the Flesh (2013) – Set in late 1969. Delmonico hunts two distinct killers in his final recorded case.
Timeline and Setting Caveats
The entire series is set in the fictional university town of Holloman, Connecticut, during the late 1960s. Since the stories take place before the era of modern DNA analysis, smartphones, or internet databases, the series functions as an authentic period piece. Investigations rely heavily on old-school grit, interviews, and deductive reasoning.
While the broader mystery of each novel is resolved by the final page, character relationships and local politics carry over from book to book, making a chronological read highly recommended.
Spin-offs, Co-authors, and Tie-ins
There are no spin-offs, crossovers, or co-authored books in the Carmine Delmonico universe. Colleen McCullough wrote all five novels independently. Following her passing in 2015, the series came to a natural end, leaving these five books as a complete, standalone collection within her wider literary legacy.