Goodlove and Shek Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Goodlove and Shek

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read Al Macy's Goodlove and Shek series in its original publication order. The series follows a continuous character arc for its protagonist, defense attorney Garrett Goodlove, as he manages a busy legal practice, navigates complex family relationships, and copes with clinical depression. Reading the books sequentially allows you to appreciate the gradual development of these relationships and Garrett's personal growth.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series:

1. Conclusive Evidence (2019)
2. Sufficient Evidence (2019)
3. Damaging Evidence (2020)
4. Damaging Quarantine (2020) — Short Story / Novella
5. Forgotten Evidence (2020)
6. Missing Evidence (2021)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While the publication order is the standard path, readers often wonder about the placement of Damaging Quarantine. This short story was written and released in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of chronological timeline, its events are set during the pandemic lockdown, occurring after the legal developments of the second book, Sufficient Evidence, but before the main plot events of subsequent full-length novels. Because it focuses heavily on Garrett's relationship with his deaf twin sister Carly while they are forced into close quarters, reading it after Sufficient Evidence or directly after Damaging Evidence works perfectly fine. Most readers prefer to read it as Book 3.5, which aligns with its release sequence, but either approach maintains narrative continuity.

What to Know Before You Start

Al Macy’s series stands out in the crowded legal thriller genre by balancing fast-paced courtroom suspense with quirky, lighthearted humor and a grounded exploration of real-life issues. Before diving in, here are the key elements that define the series:

• The Protagonist: Garrett Goodlove is a defense attorney operating in Redwood Point, Northern California. He is a deeply flawed but empathetic character who struggles with severe depression. Once a high-flying, arrogant lawyer, personal tragedy reshapes his priorities, leading him to focus on cases that carry moral and emotional weight rather than just financial rewards.
• The Partner: Jen Shek is Garrett's wife and dedicated law partner. Her sharp intellect and practical approach to the law provide the necessary grounding and stability to Garrett's occasionally erratic, instinct-driven legal maneuvers.
• Carly Goodlove: Garrett’s deaf twin sister is a focal point of the series, particularly in the debut novel. Macy, whose work is noted for its authentic representation, portrays the deaf community with nuance, showing how sign language and deaf culture shape Carly's identity and her relationship with her brother.
• The Setting: Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Northern California's redwood forests, the fictional town of Redwood Point offers a scenic, cozy, yet occasionally dark setting that contrasts with the sterile environments of city courtrooms.

A Deep Dive into the Goodlove and Shek Books

1. Conclusive Evidence (2019)

The series begins with Conclusive Evidence, which pulls Garrett Goodlove back into criminal defense after he had previously stepped away. When his estranged, deaf twin sister Carly is accused of murdering her husband by pushing him off a cliff, Garrett is the only one who can defend her. The situation is complicated by a local detective who harbors a deep, personal grudge against Garrett and is determined to secure a conviction. The book establishes the core family dynamics, introduces Jen Shek, and provides a compelling look into deaf culture and the legal system.

2. Sufficient Evidence (2019)

In the second installment, Garrett takes on the defense of a mysterious client, Aksana Ivanova. What begins as a relatively straightforward weapons charge quickly escalates into a complex murder accusation. As Garrett digs deeper, he finds himself trapped in a web of ethical dilemmas, forced to navigate the fine line between defending his client and upholding his own moral code. This novel expands on Garrett's relationship with Jen and highlights the psychological toll of high-stakes litigation.

3. Damaging Evidence (2020)

Damaging Evidence shifts the focus slightly as Garrett takes on a civil prosecution case against a corrupt and powerful surgeon accused of medical malpractice. With his law firm teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, Garrett must team up with his daughter to gather evidence and win the case. The book raises questions about medical ethics, corporate greed, and the lengths a father will go to protect his family and his livelihood.

4. Damaging Quarantine (2020)

Set during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this novella serves as a character study of the relationship between Garrett and his twin sister Carly. Normally, Garrett relies on periodic distance to handle Carly’s headstrong and reckless behavior. Forced into a shared quarantine, their bonds are tested. The stakes rise when a violent, disgruntled former client, who has been mistakenly released from prison, targets Garrett's family, forcing the siblings to work together to survive.

5. Forgotten Evidence (2020)

In Forgotten Evidence, Garrett defends a client who is suffering from severe amnesia and cannot remember the events surrounding the crime they are accused of committing. Trying to piece together a defense when your own client cannot provide answers tests Garrett's professional limits. Simultaneously, Garrett’s ongoing struggle with clinical depression is explored in detail, giving the book a reflective, emotional weight that balances the courtroom suspense.

6. Missing Evidence (2021)

The fifth novel, Missing Evidence, begins when a fifteen-year-old boy approaches Garrett for help finding his eighteen-year-old sister, Belinda, who has been missing for five months. While the authorities and the girl's stepfather dismiss her as a runaway, the younger brother discovers hidden chatroom messages suggesting Belinda is on a dangerous, self-styled vigilante mission to entrap and kill a predator. Garrett must locate her before she takes the law into her own hands and faces a first-degree murder charge.

Practical Reader Advice

While the legal cases in each book are resolved by the final page—meaning you can technically read them as standalones—you will miss out on the rich character development if you skip around. The evolution of Garrett and Jen Shek’s relationship, Garrett’s struggles with mental health, and his family dynamics with Carly and his daughter are major narrative threads that span the entire series. To fully appreciate the emotional payoffs, start with Conclusive Evidence and follow the publication order.