How to Read the Jim Richards Series
To fully appreciate Bob Moats' long-running mystery series, the best approach is to follow the publication order. While the murder mystery in each novel is self-contained and resolved by the final page, the overarching personal lives of Jim Richards, his partner Penny Wickens, and his biker sidekick Buck evolve continuously. Reading the books out of sequence will spoil major character developments, including relationship milestones, relocations, and career changes.
The series begins with Jim Richards as a sixty-year-old, unemployed former security guard struggling with arthritis. As he takes on cases, he transitions into a licensed private investigator, eventually founding his own agency, Richards P.I., and moving his base of operations. Following the books in order allows you to experience this gradual transformation and the growing chemistry among the central cast.
The Complete Jim Richards Books in Publication Order
The series is exceptionally prolific, spanning 44 novels published between 2009 and 2021. Below is the complete list of the main series books in their recommended reading order:
- The Classmate Murders (2009)
- Vegas Showgirl Murders (2009)
- Dominatrix Murders (2009)
- Mistress Murders (2009)
- Bridezilla Murders (2009)
- Magic Murders (2009)
- Strip Club Murders (2009)
- Made-For-TV Murders (2009)
- Mystery Cruise Murders (2010)
- Talk Show Murders (2010)
- Sin City Murders (2010)
- Black Widow Murders (2010)
- Vegas Vigilante Murders (2010)
- Area 51 Murders (2010)
- Mortuary Murders (2011)
- Hypnotic Murders (2011)
- Sunshine State Murders (2011)
- Blue Suede Murders (2011)
- Honky Tonk Murders (2011)
- Dark Carnival Murders (2011)
- Lipstick Murders (2012)
- Pasta Murders (2012)
- Talent Show Murders (2012)
- Shyster Murders (2012)
- Campground Murders (2012)
- Network Murders (2013)
- Reunion Murders (2013)
- Big Apple Murders (2013)
- Kennel Murders (2013)
- Trick or Treat Murders (2013)
- Santa Murders (2013)
- Marriage Can Be Murder (2013)
- Wiseguy Murders (2014)
- Toxic Murders (2014)
- Private Eye Murders (2015)
- Lonely Hearts Murders (2015)
- Murder Vegas Style (2016)
- Eulogy for Murder (2016)
- Casino Murders (2017)
- Mannequin Murders (2019)
- RV Murders (2020)
- Last Will Murders (2020)
- Pandemic Murders (2020)
- A Cold Case Murder (2021)
Breaking Down the Story Eras
Given the sheer volume of cases, it helps to understand how the series shifts in tone, setting, and stakes across different eras:
The Detroit Beginnings (Books 1–4)
This initial run establishes Jim Richards' civilian life in Michigan. In The Classmate Murders, Jim is dragged out of his sedentary routine when he receives an email from an old high school sweetheart, only to find her dead shortly after. Here, we meet his biker friend Buck and TV host Penny Wickens. These early books focus on local crimes and have a gritty yet cozy Midwestern atmosphere.
The Las Vegas Relocation (Books 5–14)
As Jim's reputation grows and his relationship with Penny deepens, the setting moves to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas. Jim becomes a licensed investigator and deals with cases involving showgirls, magicians, strip clubs, and even conspiracies in the Nevada desert (Area 51 Murders). The tone shifts to incorporate more humor, flashy locales, and mob elements, while still retaining the cozy procedural core.
The Traveling Cases and National Investigations (Books 15–34)
In this expansive middle era, Jim and his crew frequently travel outside Nevada and Michigan. They tackle crimes in Florida (Sunshine State Murders), Nashville (Honky Tonk Murders), and New York (Big Apple Murders). The series also features seasonal themes like Trick or Treat Murders and Santa Murders, keeping the pacing brisk and varied.
The Later Years and Crossover Climaxes (Books 35–44)
The final decade of the series sees Jim navigating high-profile cases, personal milestones, and a changing world. It culminates in books like Pandemic Murders, where the characters deal with quarantine restrictions while trying to foil a kidnapping, and A Cold Case Murder, which returns Jim to a more intimate, street-level investigation.
Crossovers and the Bob Moats Universe
One of the most exciting aspects for long-time readers is how Bob Moats connects his various book series. Jim Richards is the anchor of this shared universe, crossing paths with other detectives in two major books:
- Campground Murders (Book 25): This novel serves as a direct crossover with Moats' Fatal Series. Jim Richards and his companions travel to Brinnon, Washington, where they run into Sheriff Dave Chandler and his wife, Sarah. The characters combine their detective skills to solve a murder in the local wilderness.
- Private Eye Murders (Book 35): This is the ultimate crossover event in the Moats-verse. Jim Richards, Arthur Doyle (from the Arthur Doyle, P.I. series), and Gus Mackie (from the Gus Mackie novellas) all attend a private investigators' convention at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit. When two murders occur, the three very different sleuths must pool their resources.
Furthermore, Private Eye Murders introduces the character of Stoney Hawk, a tough female private eye from Detroit who stands up for abused women. She later received her own spin-off series, starting with the novella Stoney Hawk (2015). If you want to explore the full Bob Moats catalog, these crossover books act as the perfect gateways.
What to Know Before You Start
The Jim Richards series occupies a unique space between cozy mystery and light police procedural. While cozy mysteries typically feature amateur sleuths, recipes, and bloodless crimes, Moats' books do not shy away from themes like serial killers, mob syndicates, and adult industries. However, the grit is always balanced by Jim's dry humor, Buck's biker sensibilities, and a warm focus on friendship, second chances, and aging gracefully. It is a light, easy-reading series that reads like an episodic television show, making it highly addictive for fans of casual mystery fiction.