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Hollywood Alphabet Books in Order

26 Books
2014 – 2018 Published
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How to Read the Hollywood Alphabet Series

If you are looking for a mystery series that perfectly balances gritty police investigation with laugh-out-loud comedy, M.Z. Kelly’s Hollywood Alphabet series is a must-read. The series follows Kate Sexton, a tough LAPD detective, and her hilariously amorous canine partner, Bernie, as they solve crimes against the backdrop of glitzy and gritty Los Angeles.

Because the series titles march sequentially through the alphabet from A to Z, and because Detective Kate Sexton’s personal life and career evolve significantly over the course of the narrative, there is only one logical way to read these books: in publication (alphabetical) order. Skipping ahead means missing out on the development of her relationships, the evolving antics of her friends, and ongoing character arcs.

The Hollywood Alphabet Books in Order

  1. Hollywood Assassin (2014)
  2. Hollywood Blood (2014)
  3. Hollywood Crazy (2014)
  4. Hollywood Dirty (2014)
  5. Hollywood Enemy (2014)
  6. Hollywood Forbidden (2014)
  7. Hollywood Games (2014)
  8. Hollywood Homicide (2014)
  9. Hollywood Intrigue (2015)
  10. Hollywood Jury (2015)
  11. Hollywood Killer (2015)
  12. Hollywood Lust (2015)
  13. Hollywood Murder (2015)
  14. Hollywood Notorious (2016)
  15. Hollywood Outlaw (2016)
  16. Hollywood Prisoner (2016)
  17. Hollywood Quest (2017)
  18. Hollywood Rage (2017)
  19. Hollywood Scream (2017)
  20. Hollywood Taken (2018)
  21. Hollywood Underworld (2018)
  22. Hollywood Vendetta (2018)
  23. Hollywood Wanted (2019)
  24. Hollywood X (2019)
  25. Hollywood Yesterday (2020)
  26. Hollywood Z (2021)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the chaotic streets of Hollywood with Kate Sexton, here are a few things that set this series apart:

  • Law Enforcement Authenticity: Author M.Z. Kelly is a retired law enforcement veteran with over 30 years of real-world experience. This background gives the procedural details and police banter a layer of genuine authenticity, even when the situations get wonderfully over-the-top.
  • A Unique Blend of Genres: The books occupy a unique space between hard-boiled police procedurals and cozy comedies. While the murder cases Kate investigates are serious and suspenseful, the tone remains lighthearted, fun, and fast-paced.
  • The Supporting Cast: Kate is rarely alone. In addition to her dog Bernie, she is constantly managed, mediated, and occasionally absolute-disastered by her meddling best friends, Natalie and Mo, as well as her eccentric landlord, Nana.

Key Characters to Watch

Detective Kate Sexton

Kate starts the series as a talented but emotionally bruised LAPD homicide detective recovering from a difficult divorce. Over the span of 26 books, readers get to watch her grow into her own power, gaining confidence in her investigative instincts while navigating complex family secrets, high-profile media storms, and a chaotic household.

Bernie

Bernie is Kate's loyal canine partner and arguably the real star of the show. Far from a standard, highly disciplined K-9 officer, Bernie is characterized by his hilarious quirks, including a persistent interest in courting neighborhood dogs. His antics bring a constant stream of comic relief to Kate’s high-stress investigations.

Natalie and Mo

Kate’s meddling best friends are a fixture of her home life and investigations. Mo and Natalie are constantly inserting themselves into Kate's personal business, often playing amateur detectives themselves or pursuing careers in the Hollywood spotlight, adding secondary plots and endless humor to each book.

Other Series by M.Z. Kelly

Once you finish the alphabet with Kate and Bernie, you can explore M.Z. Kelly's other thriller and mystery offerings:

Madison Knox Brooklyn Mystery Series

This series moves the action from the West Coast to New York, following NYPD officer Madison Knox. It consists of four novels:

  • Brooklyn Blue (2017)
  • Brooklyn Blood (2018)
  • Brooklyn Body (2018)
  • Brooklyn Busted (2019)

Hollywood Nights Series

For readers who want a touch of romance with their suspense, Kelly co-authored this five-book series with Lexi Grace:

  • While You Were Gone (2022)
  • Falling Into Forever (2023)
  • The Last Beautiful Thing (2023)
  • Waiting for the Best (2023)
  • Midnight Secrets (2023)

Frequently Asked

QCan the Hollywood Alphabet books be read out of order?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, it is highly recommended to read them in alphabetical order. The overarching character development, Kate's personal relationships, and ongoing plotlines build directly from one book to the next.

QWhat kind of dog is Bernie in the Hollywood Alphabet series?

Bernie is Kate Sexton's canine partner and sidekick. While the books focus heavily on his humorous, love-struck personality and K-9 antics, his specific breed is rarely emphasized in official summaries, leaving his appearance largely up to the reader's imagination.

QIs the Hollywood Alphabet series complete?

Yes, the series is complete. It spans 26 books, starting with Hollywood Assassin (representing the letter 'A') and ending with Hollywood Z.

QDoes M.Z. Kelly have real police experience?

Yes. M.Z. Kelly is a retired law enforcement veteran who spent over 30 years in the field, which helps bring authentic procedural details and grit to the humorous series.

QAre there any crossover books in the series?

No. While M.Z. Kelly has written other police mystery series, such as the Madison Knox Brooklyn Mystery series, there are no official crossovers or joint cases between Kate Sexton and his other protagonists.