How to Read the Deadwood Mysteries in Order
If you are looking for a series that perfectly blends laugh-out-loud humor, cozy mystery, slow-burn romance, and genuinely creepy paranormal encounters, Ann Charles’s Deadwood Mysteries is a must-read. Set in the historic, gold-rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota, the series follows Violet 'Spooky' Parker—a struggling single mother of twins who takes a job at Calamity Jane Realty, only to find herself constantly stumbling over dead bodies, haunted properties, and ancient secrets.
Because the character relationships, overarching mysteries, and paranormal lore develop significantly from book to book, it is highly recommended to read the series in chronological/publication order. Below is the complete, integrated reading list of the main novels and companion short stories (often referred to as the '.5' stories) to help you navigate Violet's chaotic adventures.
Deadwood Mysteries Main Series Reading Order
- Nearly Departed in Deadwood (Book 1 - 2011) – The award-winning debut where Violet first dons her signature purple boots, takes a job at Calamity Jane Realty, and gets dragged into a search for missing local girls while trying to sell a creepy Victorian house.
- Seeing Trouble (Book 1.5 - 2012) – A companion short story focusing on Violet's quirky, psychic Aunt Zoe as she tackles her own strange mysteries.
- Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Book 2 - 2011) – Violet is tasked with selling a notorious haunted house tied to a historic murder-suicide, forcing her to confront angry spirits and even angrier locals.
- Dead Case in Deadwood (Book 3 - 2012) – The stakes rise when Violet investigates a bizarre body-part theft ring operating out of a local funeral home.
- Better Off Dead in Deadwood (Book 4 - 2013) – Violet tries to survive the summer heat, her crazy family, and a new mystery involving historical treasure and dangerous relic hunters.
- Boot Points (Book 4.5 - 2013) – A fun, short side-step featuring Violet and the grumpy, mysterious investigator Doc Nyce.
- An Ex to Grind in Deadwood (Book 5 - 2014) – Violet deals with creepy anonymous phone calls, ticking clocks, and the return of troublesome figures from her past.
- Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood (Book 6 - 2015) – A fast-paced entry where multiple storylines collide as Violet is trapped in a house with a killer while her friends and family face their own emergencies.
- Cold Flame (Book 6.5 - 2016) – A supernatural-heavy short story that sheds more light on the spooky lore of the Black Hills.
- A Wild Fright in Deadwood (Book 7 - 2016) – Violet is hired to clean up and sell a dilapidated old property, only to find that the local wildlife—and something much worse—has moved in.
- Rattling the Heat in Deadwood (Book 8 - 2017) – A high-temperature mystery where Violet has to deal with arson, hot tempers, and mounting paranormal threats.
- Tequila & Time (Book 8.5 - 2017) – A short story offering a fun, comedic break featuring fan-favorite side characters.
- Gone Haunting in Deadwood (Book 9 - 2018) – Violet's supernatural troubles reach a boiling point when she is forced to actively hunt down malevolent spirits to protect her family.
- Don't Let It Snow in Deadwood (Book 10 - 2018) – A winter-themed novel where Violet tries to manage a holiday season disrupted by freezing temperatures, missing people, and holiday-hating ghosts.
- Fatal Traditions (Book 10.5 - 2019) – A holiday-themed short story detailing the quirky, sometimes hazardous traditions of the Parker household.
- Devil Days in Deadwood (Book 11 - 2020) – Violet is pushed to her limits as ancient curses and local legends threaten to tear the town of Deadwood apart.
- Never Say Sever in Deadwood (Book 12 - 2021) – Violet faces one of her most personal cases yet, dealing with family secrets and deadly curses that hit close to home.
- TimeReaping in Deadwood (Book 13 - 2023) – Grim reapers, temporal anomalies, and high-stakes danger collide as Violet tries to keep her life from falling completely out of sync.
- Cops & Clobbers in Deadwood (Book 14 - 2024) – The latest full-length adventure, where Violet's interactions with local law enforcement and paranormal entities reach a chaotic new peak.
Note on 'Deadwood Shorts': If you prefer not to buy the novellas individually, Ann Charles has collected several of these side stories (including Seeing Trouble, Boot Points, Cold Flame, and Tequila & Time) into compiled print and ebook anthologies under the title Deadwood Shorts.
Going Back in Time: The Deadwood Undertaker Series
For readers who want to explore the history of the supernatural occurrences in the Black Hills, Ann Charles co-authors a spin-off prequel series with Sam Lucky called the Deadwood Undertaker series.
Instead of modern-day real estate, this series takes readers back to the late 1870s during Deadwood’s lawless gold-rush era. It features a mix of historical Western adventure, paranormal mystery, and the same trademark humor found in the main series. While it is not mandatory to read the Undertaker series to understand Violet's journey, it provides fantastic background context for the spirits, curses, and historic events that Violet later encounters in the modern day.
Deadwood Undertaker Reading Order
- Life at the Coffin Joint (Book 1 - 2019)
- A Long Way from Ordinary (Book 2 - 2020)
- Can't Ride Around It (Book 3 - 2021)
- Catawampus Christmas Carol (Book 3.5 - 2021)
- The Backside of Hades (Book 4 - 2022)
- Hip Deep in Bad Company (Book 5 - 2024)
- Blow Your Hat Off (Book 6 - Expected Fall 2026)
What to Know Before You Start
The Deadwood Mysteries are unique because they cross several genre lines. While they are marketed to fans of cozy mysteries due to their small-town setting, quirky cast of characters, and humorous tone, they also contain significantly more romance, suspense, and genuine supernatural horror than a typical cozy. Violet is a foul-mouthed, fiercely protective mother, and the ghosts she encounters are often genuinely dangerous rather than merely mischievous.
To get the most enjoyment out of the series, start with the very first book, Nearly Departed in Deadwood. Skip the prequels until you have read at least a few of the contemporary novels, as the modern setting does a wonderful job of establishing the lore and making you curious about Deadwood's wild history.