Step into the gritty, pulse-pounding world of the Mort Grant series, where Seattle’s shadowy streets come alive with crime, moral dilemmas, and a detective who’s as relentless as he is human. Penned by T.E. Woods, this six-book crime thriller saga blends police procedural precision with psychological depth, hooking readers with its vivid setting and complex characters. If you love Dexter’s dark edge or Lisa Gardner’s twisty plots, Mort Grant’s journey will keep you up all night.
Centered on Seattle’s Chief of Detectives, Mort Grant, the series dives into a world where justice and vengeance blur. Alongside Lydia Corriger, a brilliant psychologist with her own secrets, Mort tackles cases that test his resolve, from serial killers to Russian mobsters. It’s a wild ride through Seattle’s underbelly, perfect for fans craving suspense with heart.
How Mort Grant Began
T.E. Woods, a clinical psychologist from Bayfield, Wisconsin, crafted the Mort Grant series, drawing on her expertise in human behavior to create layered characters. Launched in 2012 with The Fixer, the series—also known as the Justice Series—emerged from Woods’ fascination with moral ambiguity and justice’s gray areas. Her background infuses the novels with authentic psychological tension, making every decision feel weighty and real. Woods’ knack for diabolical plots, as she’s playfully noted, steered clear of knitting and straight into crime fiction’s dark heart.
The Heart of Mort Grant
The series kicks off with The Fixer (2012), where Mort investigates a suspicious death tied to a vigilante assassin known as The Fixer. This elusive figure, who rights wrongs the law can’t touch, sets the stage for the series’ core tension: justice versus retribution. In The Red Hot Fix (2014), Mort hunts a serial killer dubbed Trixie, whose chilling motel murders taunt him with red lipstick kisses. The Unforgivable Fix (2014) deepens the stakes as Mort’s daughter, Allie, entangled with a Russian crime lord, seeks his help, pulling The Fixer back into the fray. Fixed in Blood (2015) weaves a dark tale of snuff films and prostitution rings, showcasing Woods’ ability to pivot between gritty crime and personal drama.
Set against Seattle’s moody, rain-soaked backdrop, the series thrives on its fast-paced plots and psychological intrigue. Themes of loyalty, redemption, and the cost of justice run deep, with Mort’s personal struggles—grieving his late wife, grappling with his wayward daughter—adding emotional weight. Woods’ third-person narrative keeps readers hooked with unpredictable twists, earning praise for its “pitch-perfect” plotting and “solid characters” from Kirkus Reviews. The interplay between Mort and Lydia, a psychologist with a shadowy past, elevates the series beyond typical procedurals, offering a fresh take on crime fiction.
Why Mort Grant Resonates
The Mort Grant series has carved a niche among crime fiction fans for its bold exploration of morality and its vivid Seattle setting, a city that feels like a character itself. Readers on Goodreads rave about its “fast-paced” thrills and Woods’ ability to “yank you” from one twist to another. While not a household name, the series’ cult following appreciates its blend of gritty realism and psychological depth, appealing to those who savor Karin Slaughter’s intensity or Jeff Lindsay’s moral complexity. Its legacy lies in proving smaller series can pack a punch, inviting readers to question what justice really means.
- Publication Years: 2012–2016
- Number of Books: 6
- Main Characters: Mort Grant, Lydia Corriger
- Setting: Seattle, Washington
Ready to chase killers through Seattle’s dark alleys? Grab The Fixer and dive into Mort Grant’s thrilling world of crime and justice!