series Reading Order

Caroline Slade Mystery Books in Order

5 Books
2012 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Caroline Slade Reading Order

For the best experience, read the Caroline Slade Mystery series in publication order. While each book presents a standalone investigation, Carolina Slade's personal life, her career trajectory, and her evolving relationship with federal agent Wayne Largo build continuously from one novel to the next.

  • Lowcountry Bribe (2012)
  • Tidewater Murder (2013)
  • Palmetto Poison (2014)
  • Newberry Sin (2018)
  • Salkehatchie Secret (2020)
  • Lake Murray Money (2024)

The Edisto Island Crossover Connection

Author C. Hope Clark has created a shared universe between her mystery series. If you want to experience the complete timeline of crossovers with the Edisto Island Mysteries (which stars Police Chief Callie Jean Morgan), you can insert the crossover novel at the following points:

  • Read Lowcountry Bribe, Tidewater Murder, and Palmetto Poison.
  • Start the Edisto Island Mysteries and read books 1 through 4 (Murder on Edisto through Edisto Stranger).
  • Read Newberry Sin (Slade Book 4).
  • Read Dying on Edisto (2019) – This is Book 5 of the Edisto Island series and features a major crossover where Callie Morgan, Carolina Slade, and Wayne Largo team up.
  • Read Salkehatchie Secret (Slade Book 5) – This book features Callie Morgan visiting Slade's jurisdiction to help with an investigation.
  • Read Lake Murray Money (Slade Book 6) to catch up on Slade's latest case.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start the Caroline Slade series?

You should start with the debut novel, Lowcountry Bribe, which establishes Carolina Slade's role as a USDA loan officer and introduces her to federal investigator Wayne Largo during a high-stakes sting operation.

QHow many books are in the Caroline Slade Mystery series?

There are six novels in the main series, starting with Lowcountry Bribe in 2012 and ending with Lake Murray Money in 2024.

QIs the Caroline Slade series based on real events?

Yes, C. Hope Clark drew inspiration from her own 25-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The plot of Lowcountry Bribe was directly inspired by a real-life bribery case she reported alongside her husband, a former federal agent.

QWhich books feature crossovers with the Edisto Island Mysteries?

There are two key crossover novels: Dying on Edisto (Edisto Island Mysteries Book 5), where Carolina Slade and Wayne Largo appear, and Salkehatchie Secret (Caroline Slade Mysteries Book 5), where Chief Callie Morgan makes an appearance.

QCan the Caroline Slade books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a self-contained mystery that is fully resolved. However, to appreciate the character development, romance, and career changes, they are best read in chronological publication order.