How to Read the Doug Selby Books
Unlike many modern mystery series that rely on complex timelines, flashbacks, or prequels, the Doug Selby series is straightforward. The recommended way to experience the saga is in publication order. Because characters evolve, political dynamics in Madison City shift, and recurring rivalries deepen over time, reading the books in the order they were written provides the best narrative experience.
Doug Selby Books in Publication Order
Erle Stanley Gardner published nine Doug Selby novels between 1937 and 1949. Here is the complete list of the books in the recommended reading order, along with brief summaries of the cases Selby faces:
- The D.A. Calls It Murder (1937): The novel that introduces Doug Selby as the newly elected District Attorney of Madison County. When a clergyman is found dead from poisoning in the Madison Hotel, Selby must cut through political interference and a hostile press to prove it was murder.
- The D.A. Holds a Candle (1938): A mysterious death in a local auto camp initially appears to be an accident. However, Selby's investigation uncovers a deeper web of small-town gambling, deception, and murder.
- The D.A. Draws a Circle (1939): This entry introduces Alphonse Baker Carr (A.B.C.), a brilliant, suave, and completely unscrupulous defense lawyer who becomes Selby's ultimate arch-nemesis. When a shooting victim is found dumped on a highway, Selby must battle Carr's legal maneuvering.
- The D.A. Goes to Trial (1940): A body is found under a train bridge, identified as a local hobo. When the identification is revealed to be fake, Selby is pulled into a conspiracy involving fraudulent identities and inheritance disputes.
- The D.A. Cooks a Goose (1942): A hit-and-run accident leads to the discovery of a corpse and a complex scheme to defraud a wealthy estate. Selby must once again face off against A.B. Carr, who represents the primary suspect.
- The D.A. Calls a Turn (1944): A bizarre case of double identity, a suspicious automobile accident, and a strange sanitarium keep Selby and Sheriff Rex Brandon on their toes. Carr works behind the scenes to shield his clients and discredit the D.A.
- The D.A. Breaks a Seal (1946): Written during World War II, the story finds Selby returning to Madison County on a brief leave from the U.S. Army. He is quickly drawn into a case involving a poisoned cup of coffee in a hotel lobby, racing against the clock to solve it before his leave ends.
- The D.A. Takes a Chance (1948): A high-society house party ends in homicide, and Selby is faced with a wall of silence, blackmail, and political corruption. Carr is hired to defend the prime suspect, leading to a fierce legal battle.
- The D.A. Breaks an Egg (1949): The final book in the series features the ultimate showdown between Doug Selby and Alphonse Baker Carr. A series of robberies and a mysterious death lead to a dramatic climax where Selby attempts to finally expose Carr's criminal operations.
Who is Doug Selby?
Doug Selby is a principled, reform-minded prosecutor serving as the District Attorney of the fictional Madison County in Southern California. Created by Erle Stanley Gardner—a former trial lawyer best known for creating Perry Mason—Selby represents the opposite side of the courtroom. While Perry Mason is a defense attorney fighting to prove his clients' innocence, Selby is a dedicated public servant striving to ensure that the guilty are prosecuted and the innocent are protected.
Selby is described as a handsome, pipe-smoking investigator with an even temper and a deep respect for the law. Rather than focusing solely on conviction rates or political ambition, Selby is driven by a search for the truth, often putting him at odds with the local corrupt political machine.
Key Characters and Rivals in Madison City
The series features a recurring cast of characters who assist Selby in his investigations or try to undermine his office:
- Sheriff Rex Brandon: Selby's loyal ally and the county sheriff. Brandon is a veteran lawman who was elected alongside Selby on the same reform ticket. The duo works seamlessly together to investigate cases.
- Sylvia Martin: A sharp, resourceful reporter for The Clarion, the local newspaper that supports Selby's anti-corruption platform. Sylvia frequently helps Selby by gathering intelligence, and she serves as his primary companion and romantic interest.
- Alphonse Baker Carr (A.B.C.): A suave, white-haired criminal defense attorney who serves as Selby's recurring antagonist. Carr is incredibly clever and has no moral qualms about manipulating the law or fabricating defenses, making him a formidable rival.
- Police Chief Otto Larkin: The lazy, politically minded police chief of Madison City. Unlike Sheriff Brandon, Larkin is more interested in maintaining his political alliances than solving crimes, and he often leaks information to the hostile press.
Doug Selby vs. Perry Mason
While both series were written by Erle Stanley Gardner, they feature very different tones and approaches to crime-solving. Perry Mason's cases are centered on dramatic, last-minute courtroom confessions and defense strategies. Doug Selby's stories, on the other hand, focus heavily on the investigative process, forensic evidence, and navigating local government corruption. There are no crossovers between the two series; they exist in completely separate fictional universes.
What to Know Before You Start
Gardner drew inspiration for Madison City from his own legal experiences in Ventura County, California. The setting represents a transition era in California, where rural agricultural towns were beginning to grapple with the influence of organized crime and political operations expanding out of Los Angeles. A major recurring element in the series is the media war between the supportive newspaper, The Clarion, and the hostile paper, The Blade, which routinely publishes biased articles to turn public opinion against Selby's reform efforts.
In 1971, the series received a television movie adaptation titled They Call It Murder, starring Jim Hutton as Doug Selby, Lloyd Bochner as A.B. Carr, and Leslie Nielsen. The movie was intended as a pilot for a television series, but a weekly show was never picked up, leaving the film as the only screen adaptation of Gardner's crusading District Attorney.