Golden Retriever Mysteries Books in Order

Where to Begin: The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, you should follow the publication order of the main novels. The core of the Golden Retriever Mysteries revolves around the personal growth, second chances, and developing partnership between reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his neighbor's dog, Rochester. Reading the books in sequence allows you to see Steve rebuild his life after prison, repair his relationships, and grow as an amateur sleuth, all while his bond with Rochester deepens.

While there is a short prequel story, Nectar of the Dogs (often numbered as Book 0.5), it is highly recommended to start with the first full-length novel, In Dog We Trust. This is the critical starting point where Steve and Rochester first meet under tragic circumstances and form their unbreakable partnership. Starting here ensures you understand their history and the foundation of the entire series.

Golden Retriever Mysteries Book List in Order

Here is the complete order of the Golden Retriever Mysteries, including all full-length novels, short story collections, and the latest releases up to 2025:

1. In Dog We Trust (2010) - The novel that starts it all. Steve Levitan is on parole, living in his late father's house, when his neighbor is murdered and he inherits her loyal golden retriever, Rochester.
2. The Kingdom of Dog (2011) - Steve gets a temporary teaching job at the local college and is dragged into a murder investigation during a reunion weekend.
3. Dog Helps Those (2012) - While trying to build his freelance editing business, Steve helps investigate a series of burglaries that escalate to murder.
4. Dog Bless You (2013) - The duo returns to solve a mystery involving local town politics and secrets hidden within Stewart's Crossing.
5. Whom Dog Hath Joined (2014) - Romance is in the air, but murder threatens to ruin the celebrations, requiring Steve and Rochester to sniff out the culprit.
6. Dog Have Mercy (2015) - A crime hits close to home when Steve investigates a case at a local nursing facility tied to prescription drug theft.
7. Honest to Dog (2016) - Financial scandals and town rivalries erupt into violence, and Rochester's keen nose is needed to uncover the truth.
8. Dog Is in the Details (2017) - Small clues lead to big revelations as the local community faces a complex puzzle that challenges Steve's analytical skills.
9. Dog Knows (2018) - Steve's past as a hacker and his new life as a crime solver clash in another engaging mystery.
10. Dog's Green Earth (2019) - Environmental concerns and local activism take a dark turn when a gated community developer is murdered.
11. A Litter of Golden Mysteries (2020) - The first major short story and flash fiction compilation, featuring tales that take place in the gaps between the early novels.
12. Dog Willing (2020) - Steve and Rochester face a mystery that highlights the tight-knit but secret-filled nature of their college town.
13. Dog's Waiting Room (2021) - A medical mystery unfolds, putting local health professionals and residents under the magnifying glass.
14. Dog's Honest Truth (2022) - Loyalty is tested when a local resident is accused of a crime they claim they didn't commit.
15. All Dog's Children (2022) - Family dynamics and old grudges lead to a fresh homicide case for Steve and Rochester to navigate.
16. Dog of Thieves (2023) - Steve must use his old tech-savvy skills alongside Rochester's tracking abilities to crack a case of high-end theft and murder.
17. In Dog's Image (2023) - Art, deception, and murder intertwine in this installment set against the town's cultural scene.
18. Blessing of the Dogs (2024) - A traditional community gathering becomes the backdrop for a tense search for a killer.
19. Food of the Dogs (2024) - Culinary rivalries boil over, and a local food-related crime requires the duo's immediate attention.
20. Dog Grant Me (2025) - During a winter intersession program at the Friar Lake Conference Center, Steve and Rochester investigate a chef's murder.
21. Dog of Deliverance (2025) - A Purim carnival celebration becomes the scene of a crime, leading Steve to investigate secrets inside an isolated Orthodox community.
22. Dog's Kitchen (2025) - Sabotage and murder disrupt the filming of a popular reality television cooking show at the Friar Lake Conference Center.

Understanding the Timeline: Chronological vs. Publication Order

For the most part, the chronological timeline of the series aligns perfectly with the publication order of the novels. However, there are two main elements to keep in mind regarding short fiction:

The Prequel Short Story: Nectar of the Dogs

Published as a standalone short story and later collected, Nectar of the Dogs is technically set before the events of the first novel. It features a minor puzzle involving a childhood friend and Greek cuisine. However, because Steve does not officially adopt and bond with Rochester until the events of In Dog We Trust, reading this story first can feel slightly out of order for newcomers. It is best enjoyed as a companion piece after you have read at least the first book.

The Short Story Collection: A Litter of Golden Mysteries

This volume compiles several shorter cases and flash fiction pieces. The stories take place chronologically between various novels in the series. While you can pause your reading of the main novels to insert these stories after Book 10, they can also be read at any point as a fun side trip once you are familiar with the recurring cast of Stewart's Crossing, including Steve's detective friend Rick Stemper and his dog Rascal.

What to Know Before You Start: Tone, Themes, and Setting

Neil S. Plakcy's cozy series stands out in the pet-themed mystery subgenre due to its unique premise and realistic execution. Before diving in, here are a few key elements that define the series:

• A Different Kind of Amateur Sleuth: Steve Levitan is not a retired cop or a quirky shop owner; he is a middle-aged, divorced reformed computer hacker who served time in federal prison. His struggle to rebuild his reputation and resist the urge to use his hacking skills illegally adds a compelling layer of redemption to the stories.
• A Realistic Canine Partner: Unlike some cozy mysteries where pets talk, have magical abilities, or communicate via internal monologues, Rochester behaves like a real dog. He doesn't solve the mysteries on his own; instead, he uses his natural dog behaviors—sniffing out hidden objects, reacting to suspects' body language, and leading Steve to physical evidence—to guide the investigation.
• The Setting of Stewart's Crossing: Located in Pennsylvania, this fictional college town provides the perfect cozy backdrop. The recurring cast of university faculty, local business owners, and police officers creates a warm, welcoming community that readers enjoy returning to book after book.
• A Gentle, Welcoming Tone: While the books feature murder investigations, they avoid graphic violence and gore. The emphasis is always on the puzzles, the humor of dog ownership, and the heartwarming relationships within the community. Fans of Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie series or David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter books will find a similar blend of canine companionship and mystery here.