How to Read the Faye Longchamp Mysteries in Order
The Faye Longchamp Mysteries, written by Mary Anna Evans, combine meticulous archaeological detail with suspenseful Southern noir. Over the course of thirteen novels, the series follows the personal, academic, and professional evolution of Faye Longchamp, a biracial archaeologist who uncovers buried secrets, historical injustices, and modern-day crimes. Because the characters' lives and relationships develop significantly with each entry, the best way to experience the series is in order of publication.
The Recommended Reading Order
To follow Faye's journey from a struggling, self-taught artifact hunter to a credentialed consultant, read the novels in this sequence:
- Artifacts (2003) — Faye tries to save her ancestral home by selling relics from her Florida island, only to unearth a decades-old skeleton.
- Relics (2005) — On a research trip to Alabama to study the mysterious Sujosa community, Faye is caught up in a suspicious death within her team.
- Effigies (2007) — Working at a sacred Choctaw mound site in Mississippi, Faye investigates the murder of a local farmer amidst racial and land tensions.
- Findings (2008) — Faye's career takes a professional turn, but her work continues to attract danger as she assists in a forensic investigation.
- Floodgates (2009) — Set in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, Faye helps excavate a historic property and uncovers secrets hidden by the receding waters.
- Strangers (2010) — Faye returns to Florida's Joyeuse island, where a group of archaeologists and unexpected visitors face escalating threats.
- Plunder (2012) — Faye investigates the historical piracy and wrecking trade in the Florida Keys, matching wits with modern plunderers.
- Rituals (2013) — A dig at a spiritual retreat in New York brings Faye face-to-face with alternative belief systems and a cult-like mystery.
- Isolation (2015) — Faye and her husband Joe work on an isolated island off the coast of Georgia, digging into the history of a former plantation.
- Burials (2017) — The discovery of ancient remains leads to a tense confrontation with local developers and tribal authorities.
- Undercurrents (2018) — Faye faces a mystery tied to the waterways and hidden histories of the Deep South.
- Catacombs (2019) — A trip to Oklahoma leads Faye to excavate historical tunnels, revealing dark secrets from the area's complex past.
- Wrecked (2020) — Faye investigates the suspicious drowning of a friend on the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, bringing her journey to a thrilling head.
Why You Must Start with Artifacts
While some mystery series allow readers to jump in at any point, the Faye Longchamp Mysteries reward chronological reading. The debut novel, Artifacts, is the absolute best starting point. It establishes Faye's deeply personal relationship with Joyeuse, the crumbling Florida estate that belonged to her ancestors, and introduces Joe Wolf Mantooth, a Native American man who begins as her helper and grows into her professional and romantic partner.
Starting at the beginning allows you to witness Faye's growth. When the series opens, Faye is strapped for cash and illegally harvesting artifacts from her own land. As the series progresses, she returns to school, earns her PhD, and founds a legitimate cultural resource management firm. Reading out of order will spoil major milestones in her career, her relationship with Joe, and the fate of Joyeuse.
Key Themes and What to Expect
Mary Anna Evans brings her unique background in physics, engineering, and environmental consulting to the series, ensuring that the archaeology depicted is realistic and respectful. Readers can expect several recurring hallmarks throughout the books:
- Southern History and Culture: Evans rejects idealized stereotypes of the American South. Instead, she explores the region's complex history, focusing on Native American mounds, the legacy of slavery, and the intersection of diverse cultures.
- Real Archaeology: The books highlight the tedious, scientific, and legal realities of archaeological digs, contrasting with the sensationalized 'treasure hunting' common in pop culture.
- Deep Character Development: The relationship between Faye and Joe Wolf Mantooth is a cornerstone of the series. Over thirteen books, they build a life, a business, and a family, providing a warm and steady emotional core to the suspenseful mysteries.
What to Read Next: Mary Anna Evans's Other Books
If you have finished the Faye Longchamp series and want more from the author, Mary Anna Evans has written other notable works that showcase her talent for historical detail and suspense:
- The Justine Byrne Mysteries: This historical mystery series starts with The Physicists' Daughter (2022) and continues with The Traitor Beside Her (2023). Set during World War II, it follows a young woman working in a carbon-fission factory who uses her scientific knowledge to uncover sabotage.
- Non-Fiction and Guides: For aspiring writers, Evans has co-authored writing guides such as A Fiction Writer's Companion, sharing her expertise on the craft of mystery writing.