High Country Mystery Books in Order

How to Read the High Country Mystery Series

If you love traditional cozy mysteries with a rustic Western flair, the High Country Mystery series by sister-authors Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson is the perfect escape. Set in the fictional Coal County, Wyoming, the series follows Sheriff Jeff McQuede, a pragmatic lawman who unpicks decades-old cold cases, Native American lore, and small-town schemes in the shadow of the Wind River Range.

Because the overarching character development—particularly the slow-burn romance between Sheriff McQuede and archaeologist Loris Conner—evolves across the books, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order. However, because each novel features a self-contained case, you can easily pick up any book as a standalone without getting lost. Below, you will find our comprehensive guide to exploring Coal County, Wyoming, including the main novels, short stories, and standalone spin-offs.

High Country Mystery Books in Publication Order

The main series has grown steadily since 2011. While the local sheriff solves a new crime in each book, the backstories and character relationships progress chronologically. Here is the recommended publication order for the primary novels:

1. Murder in Black and White (2011) – Sheriff Jeff McQuede investigates the theft of an old class photo from a museum, unearthing a decades-old murder and a missing student's dark secrets.
2. Whispers of the Stones (2012) – Native American legends take center stage when a killer is linked to the mysterious Pedro Mummy artifact.
3. Stealer of Horses (2012) – A high-value painting sale triggers a disappearance and a deadly conspiracy in the rugged hills.
4. The Executioner's Hood (2014) – A historical reenactment goes horribly wrong when a real executioner's hood is used in a murder.
5. Loyalty (2014) – Family ties and dark secrets are tested in this gripping investigation that challenges the sheriff's resolve.
6. An Icy Death (2015) – A winter blizzard traps McQuede in a deadly game of survival as he tries to solve a murder in freezing temperatures.
7. Crying Woman Bridge (2015) – Whispers of a ghostly apparition named Mirabella haunt a bridge, leading McQuede into a bizarre kidnapping case.
8. Murder and the Good Old Boys' Club (2016) – Small-town political corruption and long-held secrets erupt into murder, forcing McQuede to stand up against local elites.
9. Rapid River Hoax (2018) – A staged accident on the rapids turns into a real murder case, exposing greed and deception.
10. Deadly Purchase (2019) – An antique auction turns lethal when a rare item leads to a trail of blood and deception.
11. Blame it on Bigfoot (2020) – When a body is found in the wilderness and rumors of a Sasquatch start spreading, McQuede must separate local folklore from a very human killer.
12. The Great Wyoming Treasure Hunt Murders (2022) – The hunt for a hidden fortune turns deadly when treasure hunters begin dying under suspicious circumstances.
13. The Spanish Cave Heist (2023) – A heist involving historical Spanish artifacts leads to a deadly investigation in the high country caves.
14. The Serpent of Spirit Lake (2024) – Legend meets crime when a search for a mythical lake monster uncovers a very real corpse.

Jeff McQuede Companion Stories & Novellas

In addition to the fourteen main novels, Britton and Jackson have written shorter companion works that feature Sheriff Jeff McQuede. These stories add color and depth to his character and are delightful quick reads for holiday seasons or between the longer novels:

• The Horse in the Corner (2016) – A short mystery story published alongside the main series, focusing on a stolen heirloom and classic rural detective work.
• King Henry's Christmas (2017) – A festive cozy short story where Sheriff McQuede investigates a holiday burglary and finds himself babysitting a mischievous, pampered cat named King Henry who happens to be the only witness.

Chronological Reading Order and Timeline Caveats

For the most part, the chronological timeline of the High Country Mystery series perfectly mirrors its publication order. The main novels trace Sheriff McQuede's ongoing struggles with local criminal networks, his professional reputation, and his relationship with Loris Conner. However, there are a few minor things to keep in mind if you want a perfect chronological flow:

First, the short stories can be read at almost any point, but their publication dates offer the best clues. We suggest slipping The Horse in the Corner in after Murder and the Good Old Boys' Club (2016), and saving the festive King Henry's Christmas for a cozy winter read right after that. Second, Loyalty (2014) is sometimes grouped slightly differently in online databases due to distribution changes, but it fits neatly between The Executioner's Hood and An Icy Death.

Coal County as a Character

One of the most striking elements of the series is how the setting of Coal County, Wyoming, serves as more than just a backdrop. The vast, windswept plains, dangerous mountain passes, and isolation of the high country shape the crimes and the investigations. Sheriff McQuede must deal with the realities of policing a massive rural territory with limited resources. Harsh weather, like the freezing blizzards in An Icy Death, often becomes as much of an obstacle as the suspects themselves. By weaving real geological features, harsh climates, and local lore into the narrative, Britton and Jackson make the Wyoming wilderness feel like a living, breathing co-star.

What to Know Before You Start

The High Country Mystery series is built on a love for the American West. Authors Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson draw directly from their personal experiences living and working in Wyoming and neighboring regions. One of the sisters lived in Laramie while the other taught on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and this intimate knowledge of the landscapes, indigenous culture, and local history shines through in every chapter.

Unlike gritty modern police procedurals, these books lean heavily into the cozy mystery tradition. You will not find excessive gore, graphic violence, or profanity. Instead, the focus is on suspense, psychological motives, local legends, and the historical artifacts that tie Coal County's past to its present. McQuede himself is designed as a traditional, hard-working sheriff reminiscent of classic TV detectives like Columbo—patient, observant, and underestimated by his suspects.

Practical Reader Advice

If you are new to the series, the best starting point is undoubtedly Murder in Black and White. It establishes McQuede's position in the fictional Coal County and introduces the core cast of characters. If you want a quick taste of the authors' style without committing to a full novel, the short story King Henry's Christmas is a fantastic entry point that highlights the cozy, lighthearted side of the series.

While the books are theoretically standalone mysteries, the romantic arc between McQuede and the archaeologist Loris Conner acts as a continuous thread. Reading them out of order might spoil the state of their relationship, so sticking to the publication list is your safest bet for maximum enjoyment.