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Mercy Watts Mysteries Books in Order

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Recommended Reading Order for Mercy Watts Mysteries

The Mercy Watts Mysteries series by A.W. Hartoin blends fast-paced, humorous cozy mysteries with deep family secrets. While the main novels can be enjoyed on their own, the author frequently releases companion short stories and novellas that bridge the gaps between major cases. Reading the series in chronological order ensures you follow the development of Mercy's relationships, career transitions, and recurring character arcs perfectly.

  1. Coke with a Twist (Book 0.5) – A prequel short story introducing Mercy Watts before her first major case.
  2. A Good Man Gone (Book 1) – The first full-length novel where Mercy investigates the death of a prominent St. Louis socialite.
  3. Diver Down (Book 2) – Mercy seeks relaxation in Honduras but is quickly dragged into a tropical murder case.
  4. Nowhere Fast (Book 2.4) – A quick-read short story following the events of Diver Down.
  5. Touch and Go (Book 2.5) – A supplemental short mystery that keeps the momentum going between novels.
  6. Double Black Diamond (Book 3) – Mercy heads to the snowy slopes of Colorado and stumbles onto a freezing cold crime scene.
  7. Dry Spell (Book 3.5) – A summer-themed short story set during a scorching St. Louis heatwave.
  8. Drop Dead Red (Book 4) – A high-fashion murder mystery that pulls Mercy into the cosmetics industry.
  9. In the Worst Way (Book 5) – Mercy investigates a missing person case that turns out to be a tangled web of local secrets.
  10. A Sin and a Shame (Book 5.5) – A novella that serves as a crucial bridge between Mercy's fifth and sixth major investigations.
  11. The Wife of Riley (Book 6) – A suspicious spouse case leads Mercy into deeper danger than she bargained for.
  12. My Bad Grandad (Book 7) – Mercy's grandfather becomes a prime suspect, forcing her to clear the family name.
  13. Brain Trust (Book 8) – Mercy goes up against brilliant but deadly minds in this high-stakes investigation.
  14. Down and Dirty (Book 9) – A gritty look into the darker side of St. Louis crime.
  15. Small Time Crime (Book 10) – Mercy deals with local street hoods and petty criminals with massive secrets.
  16. Bottle Blonde (Book 11) – A salon-centered mystery where dye jobs and secrets are equally messy.
  17. Mean Evergreen (Book 12) – A festive but dangerous holiday mystery.
  18. Silver Bells at Hotel Hell (Book 13) – A winter-themed case set in a dysfunctional, snowy hotel resort.
  19. So Long Gone (Book 14) – Mercy tracks down a cold case with deep implications for the Watts family.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the Mercy Watts Mysteries, publication order and chronological order are almost identical. The prequel story, Coke with a Twist, was published in 2012, just before the release of the first full novel, A Good Man Gone, in 2013. The subsequent short stories and novellas were released concurrently with the novels and fit directly into their chronological slots (like Book 2.4 and Book 3.5). For the ultimate reading experience, we highly recommend following the chronological list above so you don't miss out on character progressions and ongoing family subplots.

What to Know Before You Start: The Stella Bled Connection

Mercy Watts is a contemporary, light-hearted series, but author A.W. Hartoin has created a multi-generational universe. Fans of Mercy Watts will find deeper context by exploring Hartoin's historical thriller series, Stella Bled (starting with The Paris Package). The Stella Bled series is set during World War II and details the history of the Bled brewing family, which shares a long, secret-filled history with the Watts family. Elements of this historical backstory frequently intersect with the modern-day mysteries Mercy investigates in St. Louis.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Mercy Watts series?

The best place to start is the first full-length novel, A Good Man Gone. If you want a quick introduction to Mercy's voice and character first, you can read the prequel short story, Coke with a Twist.

QAre the Mercy Watts short stories necessary to read?

While not strictly necessary to follow the standalone mystery of each novel, the short stories (like Touch and Go and Dry Spell) explain minor character developments and fill in fun details between the main books.

QIs Mercy Watts connected to A.W. Hartoin's Stella Bled series?

Yes. The historical Stella Bled series provides the WWII backstory of the Bled brewing family, whose secrets directly impact the Watts family and the modern mysteries Mercy solves in her own series.

QCan the Mercy Watts books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, the recurring cast, family dynamics, and Mercy's personal growth are best experienced in chronological order.

QWho writes the Mercy Watts Mysteries?

The series is written by USA Today bestselling cozy mystery and thriller author A.W. Hartoin.

QHow many novels are in the Mercy Watts series?

There are currently 14 main novels in the list provided, beginning with A Good Man Gone and ending with So Long Gone, alongside several novellas and short stories.