Lady Justice Books in Order

The Best Way to Read the Lady Justice Series

When tackling a cozy mystery series that spans dozens of novels, the most common question is where to start. For the Lady Justice series, the recommendation is straightforward: always read in publication order. Because the books follow the chronological adventures of Walter Williams and his senior-citizen partners, reading them in the order they were written allows you to watch character relationships grow, particularly the romance and eventual marriage between Walt and Maggie, and the evolving team dynamic of the City Retiree Action Patrol (C.R.A.P.).

While each book presents a self-contained mystery—ranging from tracking down local serial killers to unravelling mob schemes—the background life of the main characters moves forward linearly. Starting at the beginning ensures you won't experience spoilers regarding who joins the team, who gets married, or how the senior vigilante squad expands its operations in Kansas City.

Lady Justice Books in Publication Order

Below is the complete chronological list of Robert Thornhill's Lady Justice books. Following this sequence guarantees the smoothest reading experience:

1. Lady Justice Takes a C.R.A.P. (2009)
2. Lady Justice and the Lost Tapes (2010)
3. Lady Justice Gets Lei'd (2011)
4. Lady Justice and the Avenging Angels (2011)
5. Lady Justice and the Sting (2011)
6. Lady Justice and Dr. Death (2011)
7. Lady Justice and the Vigilante (2012)
8. Lady Justice and the Watchers (2012)
9. Lady Justice and the Candidate (2012)
10. Lady Justice and the Book Club Murders (2012)
11. Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders (2012)
12. Lady Justice and the Class Reunion (2013)
13. Lady Justice and the Assassin (2013)
14. Lady Justice and the Lottery (2013)
15. Lady Justice and the Vet (2013)
16. Lady Justice and the Organ Traders (2014)
17. Lady Justice and the Pharaoh's Curse (2014)
18. Lady Justice in the Eye of the Storm (2014)
19. Lady Justice on the Dark Side (2015)
20. Lady Justice and the Broken Hearts (2015)
21. Lady Justice and the Conspiracy (2015)
22. Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial (2016)
23. Lady Justice and the Ghostly Treasure (2016)
24. Lady Justice and the Ghost Whisperer (2016)
25. Lady Justice and the Spy (2017)
26. Lady Justice and the Cat (2017)
27. Lady Justice and the Geriatric Gumshoes (2017)
28. Lady Justice and the Sixth Sense (2017)
29. Lady Justice and the Magic Dragon (2018)
30. Lady Justice and the Black Widow (2018)
31. Lady Justice and the Devil's Breath (2018)
32. Lady Justice and the Mysterious Box (2018)
33. Lady Justice and the Mystery Mansion (2018)
34. Lady Justice and Good vs Evil (2019)
35. Lady Justice and the Quirky Arlo Quimby (2019)
36. Lady Justice and the Evil Twin (2019)
37. Lady Justice and the Living Trust (2019)
38. Lady Justice and the Bad Seed (2019)
39. Lady Justice and the Raven (2019)
40. Lady Justice and the Landlords' Nightmare (2020)
41. Lady Justice and Terror on the Tracks (2020)
42. Lady Justice and the Bounty Hunter (2020)
43. Lady Justice Down on the Farm (2020)
44. Lady Justice and the Abduction (2021)
45. Lady Justice and the Mob (2021)

What to Know Before You Start

Robert Thornhill proved that it is never too late to try something new when he published the first Lady Justice book at the age of 66. Drawing on his own experiences as a retired real estate broker in Independence, Missouri, Thornhill crafted the protagonist Walt Williams as a stand-in for the vibrant, capable, and often underestimated senior community. Walt's senior crime-fighting team includes key members like Ox, Willie, Mary, and his love interest Maggie. The tone of the books is a lighthearted blend of cozy mystery, slapstick comedy, and heartwarming moments, interspersed with pop culture references that resonate strongly with older readers.

While the crimes themselves can involve heavy themes like human organ trafficking, political corruption, and serial killers, the resolution is always handled with comedic grit. You can expect a fast-paced narrative style with short, breezy chapters, making them ideal pick-up-and-read mysteries.

Spin-Offs and Companion Works

While the primary focus of Thornhill's catalog is the Lady Justice series, readers who enjoy his writing style may also want to explore his other works:

• The Rainbow Road Series: A seven-volume series of chapter books designed for children, featuring stories like Ghosts and Goblins of Rainbow Road and Christmas Crooks of Rainbow Road.
• Tears and Triumphs: A mini-autobiography details Thornhill's own life, giving readers an intimate look at the real-life inspiration behind the Lady Justice books.
• Mel's Diner Cookbook: A fun culinary companion featuring recipes and anecdotes.