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series Reading Order

Charlie Crawford Mystery Books in Order

16 Books
2015 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order: Where to Start?

If you want to experience the series the way it originally took off, starting with the first full-length novel, Palm Beach Nasty, is the recommended path. It perfectly introduces the glamorous Palm Beach setting, Charlie's ex-Detroit cop partner Mort Ott, and the witty, satirical style of the series. However, if you want to follow Charlie's timeline chronologically from the very beginning, starting with the prequel novella, New York Homicide, is a fantastic alternative.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

Because the prequel novella was released years into the series, readers can choose between two main reading orders:

1. Chronological Reading Order

This order follows the timeline of Charlie Crawford's life, starting with his final stressful year as an NYPD detective before escaping to the Florida coast:

  1. New York Homicide (Prequel novella, published in 2021)
  2. Palm Beach Nasty (2015)
  3. Palm Beach Poison (2016)
  4. Palm Beach Deadly (2017)
  5. Palm Beach Bones (2017)
  6. Palm Beach Pretenders (2018)
  7. Palm Beach Predator (2018)
  8. Palm Beach Broke (2019)
  9. Palm Beach Bedlam (2019)
  10. Palm Beach Blues (2020)
  11. Palm Beach Taboo (2021)
  12. Palm Beach Piranha (2022)
  13. Palm Beach Perfidious (2023)
  14. Palm Beach Betrayers (2023)
  15. Palm Beach Schemers (2024)
  16. Palm Beach Scavengers (2024)
  17. Palm Beach Psycho (2024)
  18. Palm Beach Rogues (2024)
  19. The Battle of Palm Beach (2025)
  20. Palm Beach Shooter (2025)
  21. Palm Beach Fake (2026)
  22. Palm Beach Getaway (Forthcoming, August 2026)

2. Publication Reading Order

Reading in publication order lets you watch Tom Turner’s writing and characterizations evolve naturally. In this order, you can read the prequel novella, New York Homicide, between Palm Beach Blues (2020) and Palm Beach Taboo (2021), or simply save it as bonus backstory after you finish the main series.

Connecting the Tom Turner Universe

Tom Turner has created an interconnected world of crime fiction across several coastal hotspots. If you love Charlie Crawford's adventures, you can explore his other series set in the same universe, which sometimes share character references and overlapping themes:

  • Nick Janzek / Charleston Series: Follows a former Boston police officer who relocates to Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Savannah Series: Focuses on the mysteries solved by Jackie and Ryder, known as the "Savannah sisters in crime."
  • Delray Beach Series: A newer Florida-based mystery series starting with Delray Deadly.

Frequently Asked

QWho is the author of the Charlie Crawford Mystery series?

The series is written by Tom Turner, a former advertising copywriter and Palm Beach real estate mogul whose insider knowledge of Florida's high-end estates helps shape the series' vivid backdrop.

QDo you need to read the Charlie Crawford books in order?

While each book features a standalone mystery case, it is highly recommended to read them in order. This allows you to properly follow the ongoing evolution of Charlie’s personal life, relationships, and his partnership with Mort Ott.

QWhere should I start reading the Charlie Crawford series?

The best starting point is the debut novel, Palm Beach Nasty (2015). However, if you prefer chronological order, you can start with the prequel novella, New York Homicide.

QWhat is the latest book in the Charlie Crawford series?

The latest published installment is Palm Beach Fake (released in May 2026), with the next book, Palm Beach Getaway, scheduled for release in August 2026.

QWhat is the prequel novella 'New York Homicide' about?

New York Homicide is a prequel novella that details Charlie Crawford's final year as a burned-out NYPD detective dealing with a failing marriage and a serial killer case before he moves to Florida.

QAre Tom Turner's other mystery series connected?

Yes, Tom Turner's series (including the Charleston, Savannah, and Delray Beach series) are set in a shared universe and occasionally reference overlapping characters or events.