Have Body, Will Guard Books in Order

How to Read the Have Body, Will Guard Series

For readers looking to dive into the sultry, action-packed world of Have Body, Will Guard, the path forward is straightforward. Author Neil S. Plakcy has written the series in a chronological sequence that perfectly mirrors the publication order. Because the relationship between the two main protagonists, Aidan Greene and Liam McCullough, evolves significantly from book to book, the best way to experience their journey is to read the series in order of release, starting with the Lambda Literary Award finalist Three Wrong Turns in the Desert.

Reading the books sequentially ensures that you do not miss the subtle shifts in their romantic dynamic, the growth of their joint bodyguard agency, or the overarching character development that turns Aidan from a naive civilian teacher into a seasoned, tactical protector alongside his ex-Navy SEAL partner.

The Tunisian Era: High Suspense in North Africa

The first half of the series is heavily anchored in Tunisia, a setting that functions as a character in its own right. Plakcy paints a vivid portrait of bustling souks, remote desert oases, and resort islands, providing a striking backdrop to the high-stakes missions and steamy romance.

• Three Wrong Turns in the Desert (2009): The story kicks off in a Tunisian bar where ex-Navy SEAL Liam McCullough mistakes ESL teacher Aidan Greene for his client. When the real client is murdered, the two are forced to flee into the desert, forming a passionate bond under pressure.
• Dancing with the Tide (2010): Now established as partners, the duo is hired to protect a gay pop star on the resort island of Djerba who faces a dangerous fatwa.
• Teach Me Tonight (2011): Aidan’s teaching background comes to the forefront when they are hired to guard a spoiled teenager, forcing them to balance family drama with external threats.
• Olives for the Stranger (2012): Set against the backdrop of the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution. Aidan and Liam are hired by a gay couple to protect their prejudiced niece, Leila. When political unrest erupts, the couple is split up—Liam stays in the Tunisian countryside while Aidan escapes with Leila to France, testing their bond.

The European Arc: Riviera Glamour and Global Intrigue

Following the political turmoil in Tunisia, the series transitions to Europe. Aidan and Liam settle on the French Riviera, shifting the aesthetic of their assignments from desert sands to glamorous coastal towns, Alpine valleys, and European financial hubs.

• Under the Waterfall (2013): The European era begins in earnest on the island of Corsica. The bodyguards protect a mining executive and his family during a bitter environmental conflict, while dealing with the challenges of their own relocation.
• The Noblest Vengeance (2014): The duo navigates the glamorous and secretive world of wealthy clients on the Riviera, balancing local crime with their evolving partnership.
• Finding Freddie Venus (2015): A search for a missing person leads Aidan and Liam deeper into the European underbelly, testing their tracking skills.
• A Cold Wind (2016): The bodyguards take on a colder, high-stakes assignment that highlights the growing professionalism of their security agency.
• The Same Page (2018): Focuses on the internal dynamics of their agency and personal lives, proving that protecting each other is just as hard as protecting their clients.
• The Madness of Husbands (2020): A complex domestic mystery that turns deadly, requiring Aidan and Liam to untangle a web of secrets.
• The Most Expensive Spice (2020): Protecting a Syrian refugee and a wealthy playboy, this installment weaves contemporary political themes with classic Riviera suspense.
• The Graveyard of God's Name (2021): A suspenseful investigation where faith, history, and modern danger collide.
• The Feet of Blue Pigeons (2022): Aidan and Liam travel to Luxembourg to assist an old college friend who has uncovered a human trafficking and money-laundering scheme, set against the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Designer of His Own Fortune (2024): The bodyguards help Liam’s estranged cousin after the murder of his husband, a prominent Persian fashion designer, leading them into corporate espionage and family drama.

What to Know Before You Start

Neil S. Plakcy, widely known for his Mahu mystery series, originally conceived Have Body, Will Guard as a traditional action-adventure series featuring gay characters. However, his editors at the romance publisher Loose Id encouraged him to elevate the emotional intimacy and eroticism. This advice shaped the series' identity, resulting in a unique combination of detailed, suspenseful action plots and explicit, deeply emotional M/M erotica.

While the suspense plots are resolved at the end of each volume, the romantic arc is continuous. The early books focus on Liam's journey to coming out and accepting a committed relationship, while Aidan must adapt to a dangerous, physically demanding lifestyle. Reading the books out of order is possible because the mystery plots are self-contained, but it is not recommended if you want to appreciate the emotional payoff of their long-term romance.

Summary of the Complete Reading Order

To experience the full progression of Aidan and Liam's adventures, follow this publication and chronological order:

1. Three Wrong Turns in the Desert (2009)
2. Dancing with the Tide (2010)
3. Teach Me Tonight (2011)
4. Olives for the Stranger (2012)
5. Under the Waterfall (2013)
6. The Noblest Vengeance (2014)
7. Finding Freddie Venus (2015)
8. A Cold Wind (2016)
9. The Same Page (2018)
10. The Madness of Husbands (2020)
11. The Most Expensive Spice (2020)
12. The Graveyard of God's Name (2021)
13. The Feet of Blue Pigeons (2022)
14. The Designer of His Own Fortune (2024)