How to Read the Howl Series
The Howl series by J.K. Brandon is best read in publication order. While the books are largely episodic mysteries, the characters' relationships, Taser's position in the neighborhood canine pack, and their owner Robert's personal and financial life develop chronologically from book to book. Reading them in order helps you fully appreciate the ongoing jokes, recurring side characters, and the evolving dynamics between the domestic dogs and the local wild coyotes.
The Howl Series in Order
Here is the recommended order for reading the Howl books based on their publication history:
- A Howl in the Night (2001): The debut book in the series. Taser, a rescue black Labrador, investigates a murder in his Scottsdale neighborhood to prevent his owner from selling the house, fearing he will be returned to the county dog pound.
- A Howl at Midnight (2012): Often categorized as a young reader companion version of the first book, adapting Taser's first adventure for a slightly younger audience.
- The Twilight Howl (2012): Taser and Meatloaf deal with the effects of the recession on their owner Robert, an alpha-dog challenger, and a string of missing dogs.
- A Howl for Help (2012): Taser aids an injured stray dog that brings trouble to Robert, while the pack investigates a series of local home invasions.
- Howling through Darkness (2013): The pack faces new dangers creeping into their desert subdivision.
- Murder Most Howl (2013): A cozy whodunit focusing on rivalries and secrets within their Arizona community.
- Less Howl, More Wag (2013): A lighter mystery focusing on neighborhood antics, though still maintaining the series' trademark suspense.
- Shoot First, Howl Later (2014): The stakes rise as a new investigation brings danger closer to Robert's doorstep.
- Howl of the Wild (2015): The pack heads to a mountain cabin retreat, but a snowstorm, a series of murders, and a rogue mountain lion trap them in a deadly game.
- Howl No Evil (2016): Taser leads his pack against a new threat invading their territory.
- Dead Dogs Don't Howl (2017): The eleventh entry in the series, resolving long-term neighborhood conflicts and showcasing Taser's veteran sleuthing.
Key Themes and Characters to Know
The heart of the series lies in its two primary canine detectives. Taser is a street-smart, resilient black Labrador who is fiercely loyal to his owner, Robert. Taser's primary motivation in solving crimes is ensuring his home remains secure so he never has to return to the animal shelter. His sidekick, Meatloaf, is a lazy, food-motivated black Labrador who provides comic relief but proves surprisingly helpful when snacks are on the line.
Author J.K. Brandon drew direct inspiration for the series from his own real-life black Labradors, Zoe and Bungie. For marketing, Brandon playfully credited Zoe as the author and Bungie as the editor, calling himself merely their 'human pet' who handled the publishing process. The setting of Scottsdale, Arizona plays a major role in the books, with the desert heat, residential developments, and neighboring mountain ranges providing a vivid backdrop populated by local coyotes who act as both rivals and occasional allies to the neighborhood dogs.
Crucial Caveats for Readers
Although the series features dog protagonists and is often marketed as cozy mystery fiction, readers should note that the original novels are written for a mature audience (typically recommended for ages 13 and up or PG-13). J.K. Brandon does not shy away from themes of real-world violence, home invasions, financial distress, and mature references (such as canine 'mounters' and language). If you are looking for a purely clean cozy read or a book for children, ensure you seek out the young reader editions, such as A Howl at Midnight.
Additionally, readers should be careful not to confuse J.K. Brandon's Howl canine series with his other work. Brandon also writes the Michael Cole thriller series, which includes action-thriller novels like The Kennedy Rifle, The Steel Violin, and Tactical Reload. These books feature human protagonists and focus on conspiracy theories and tactical suspense, completely separate from Taser's canine mystery universe.