Murder in Mexico Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Murder in Mexico series in publication order. While each mystery presents a self-contained case that is resolved by the end of the book, the personal relationships, character growth, and recurring dynamics of the core investigative team develop chronologically from one novel to the next.

Your journey should begin with Twenty Centavos (2009). This first book introduces readers to painter Paul Zacher, his girlfriend Maya Sanchez, and retired detective Cody Williams. Starting here allows you to witness the organic formation of their amateur sleuthing alliance and understand the group's underlying chemistry before they tackle more complex cases in San Miguel de Allende and beyond.

Publication Order of the Murder in Mexico Books

Below is the complete list of John Scherber's Murder in Mexico novels in their order of release. Reading in this sequence ensures you follow the evolution of the setting and characters exactly as the author wrote them:

• Twenty Centavos (2009) – The series debut. When a local antiques dealer is found dead with a coin in his mouth, Paul Zacher is drawn into his first investigation.
• The Fifth Codex (2010) – The team gets involved in a search for a rare, ancient Mayan document.
• Brushwork (2011) – Paul is framed for murder and must race across Mexico to clear his name.
• Daddy's Girl (2011) – A missing persons case leads the trio into dark family secrets.
• Strike Zone (2011) – Set against the backdrop of a teachers' strike in Oaxaca, the team searches for a lost Aztec skull.
• Vanishing Act (2011) – The investigation turns to a missing expatriate artist.
• Jack & Jill (2011) – Paul and Maya delve into a series of double homicides.
• Identity Crisis (2012) – A case of mistaken identity leads to dangerous consequences.
• The Theft of the Virgin (2012) – A valuable colonial painting is stolen from a local church, pulling Paul into the art black market.
• The Book Doctor (2012) – A rare-book restorer goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
• The Predator (2013) – The trio confronts a cunning blackmailer targeting the expat community.
• The Girl from Veracruz (2014) – A mysterious woman brings danger from the Gulf coast.
• Angel Face (2015) – A local beauty's death reveals a web of deceit.
• Uneasy Rider (2015) – A motorcycle tour across Mexico leads to unexpected intrigue.
• Lost in Chiapas (2016) – The search for a missing tourist takes the team into the southern jungles.
• The Jericho Journals (2016) – A historical diary holds the key to a modern-day murder.
• Noble Rot (2016) – Wine fraud and murder collide in a colonial vineyard.
• Twilight at Tikal (2017) – The team travels to Guatemala to investigate a crime at the ancient Mayan ruins.
• Death in the Third Act (2017) – A theater production in San Miguel becomes the stage for a real-life homicide.
• Scorpion Rising (2018) – The trio faces an elusive killer leaving a signature mark.
• The Dead Pool (2018) – A wealthy expat is found dead in their luxury villa swimming pool.
• The Missing Matisse (2018) – The hunt is on for a masterpiece that disappeared decades ago.
• A Murder in Moon Valley (2019) – Paul investigates a crime in a secluded valley community.
• The Big Payoff (2019) – Extortion and financial schemes threaten San Miguel's residents.
• Sugar Daddies (2020) – The team uncovers the dark side of high-society relationships.
• Strapped (2020) – A fast-paced mystery dealing with desperate measures and tight spots.
• Santa Julia Gold (2020) – Rumors of hidden treasure spark a wave of greed and violence.
• Trapped (2020) – The investigators find themselves cornered by a vengeful adversary.
• The Black Rain Emerald (2021) – A legendary gemstone brings bad luck and murder.
• China Doll (2021) – An antique doll collection hides a smuggling operation.
• The Templar Gauntlet (2022) – The search for historical relics takes a lethal turn.
• In Plain Sight (2022) – A target hiding in the expat community brings danger to Paul's doorstep.
• Murder at Raven Ranch (2022) – The setting shifts to a rural ranch where a family feud ends in death.
• A Nightmare in Bronze (2023) – Sculpture, greed, and murder mix in the art community.
• Let's Close Our Eyes and Dream (2023) – The 35th installment finding Paul Zacher facing another complicated case.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

In the case of the Murder in Mexico series, the chronological timeline of events aligns directly with the publication order. John Scherber writes the books in a linear fashion, meaning there are no prequels or time-skips that require you to jump around the list. Reading from book 1 through to book 35 is both the simplest and most rewarding way to experience the narrative.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, here are a few elements that define the tone and structure of John Scherber's work:

The Setting is a Character

The series is heavily grounded in the real-world location of San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city in Mexico's central highlands known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene, and large expat community. Scherber, who moved to the city in 2007, uses his firsthand knowledge to write vivid descriptions of its cobblestone streets, local markets, and cultural festivals. The environment directly influences the plots, exposing the unique dynamics and cultural clashes between the expat community and the local Mexican population.

The Core Sleuthing Trio

The investigations are led by a distinct three-person team, each bringing a different set of skills to the table:

• Paul Zacher: An expatriate painter whose artistic eye allows him to spot details others miss. His connections within the local art and antiques worlds frequently draw him into cases.
• Maya Sanchez: Paul's Mexican girlfriend, who provides crucial local knowledge, historical context, and helps navigate the cultural nuances of the community.
• Cody Williams: A retired homicide detective from the United States who provides the professional investigative expertise and procedural balance to Paul's intuitive, amateur approach.

Cozy Tone with Realistic Backdrops

While the books are categorized as cozy mysteries due to their lighthearted humor, focus on community, and lack of graphic violence, they do not shy away from real-world backdrops, such as the teachers' strike featured in Strike Zone or the realities of art theft and black-market antiquity trading. The series maintains a breezy, conversational style with snappy dialogue that makes for quick, engaging reads.

Practical Reader Advice

Can the books be read as standalones? Yes. Each book contains a self-contained mystery that is solved by the final chapter. If you happen to pick up a mid-series book like Noble Rot or The Missing Matisse, you will not have trouble following the plot of that specific investigation. However, the shifting relationship dynamics, particularly between Paul and Maya, as well as recurring minor characters in San Miguel de Allende, are best appreciated from the beginning.

Are there spin-offs or companion guides? While there are no fiction spin-offs directly featuring the characters of the Murder in Mexico series, John Scherber has published several non-fiction books detailing the expat lifestyle in Mexico, including San Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart and Living in San Miguel: The Heart of the Matter. Readers looking to immerse themselves further in the real-life setting that inspired the books will find these companion memoirs highly enjoyable.