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series Reading Order

Peyton Brooks’ Mystery Books in Order

20 Books
3 Reading orders
2012 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Peyton Brooks

If you are dive-bombing into M.L. Hamilton's extensive mystery universe, you have two primary entry points. The most popular and highly recommended route is to start with the original series debut, Murder on Potrero Hill (2012). This book establishes the core partnership between San Francisco homicide detective Peyton Brooks and her partner, Marco D’Angelo, grounding readers in a classic, realistic police procedural style. Starting here allows you to experience the characters' growth exactly as the author originally intended.

Alternatively, if you prefer strict chronological timeline order, you can start with the prequel novellas in the Homicide: The Early Cases subseries, beginning with A Sour Grape, or the prequel novella Murder in the Painted Lady, which is set just before the events of the first full-length novel.

The Peyton Brooks Chronological Reading Order

To follow Peyton’s life, career, and personal relationships in chronological order—including her transition from a San Francisco beat cop and new homicide detective to a Special Agent in the FBI—follow this sequence:

Phase 1: Peyton Brooks Homicide: The Early Cases

  • A Sour Grape (2022)
  • All Hallows (2022)
  • Velvet Sapphire (2023)
  • Fallen Veil (2025)

Phase 2: The Core San Francisco Homicide Mysteries

  • Murder in the Painted Lady (Book 0.5 / Prequel, 2017)
  • Murder on Potrero Hill (Book 1, 2012)
  • Murder in the Tenderloin (Book 2, 2012)
  • Murder on Russian Hill (Book 3, 2012)
  • Murder on Alcatraz (Book 4, 2013)
  • Murder in Chinatown (Book 5, 2013)
  • Murder in the Presidio (Book 6, 2013)
  • Murder on Treasure Island (Book 7, 2014)

Phase 3: Peyton Brooks, FBI (The "Ghost Squad" Era)

  • Zombies in the Delta (Book 1, 2014)
  • Mermaids in the Pacific (Book 2, 2014)
  • Werewolves in London (Book 3, 2015)
  • Vampires in Hollywood (Book 4, 2015)
  • Mayan Gods in the Yucatan (Book 5, 2016)
  • Haunts in Bodie (Book 6, 2017)
  • Menehune in Kauai (Book 7, 2018)
  • Frankenstein in Hamburg (Book 8, 2020)
  • Goblins in San Francisco (Book 9, 2020)
  • Yetis in Whistler (Book 10, 2021)
  • Pirates in Las Vegas (Book 11, 2022)

Phase 4: Peyton Brooks, FBI: Hate Crimes Division

  • The Dating App Assaults (Book 1, 2023)
  • The Cross Burning Case (Book 2, 2025)

What to Know Before You Start

The most important caveat for new readers is the **genre shift** that occurs between the original series and the FBI spin-off. The original Peyton Brooks’ Mystery books are realistic, gritty, character-driven police procedurals showcasing authentic detective work in San Francisco. Peyton battles trauma, PTSD, and real-world criminals.

However, when Peyton joins the FBI in Zombies in the Delta, she is assigned to the "Ghost Squad," an investigative unit specializing in paranormal activity. The series shifts into urban fantasy/supernatural mystery, featuring zombies, werewolves, ghosts, and vampires. If you prefer realistic mysteries, stick to the original series and the Early Cases novellas. If you enjoy a blend of police procedural and supernatural suspense, you will love the transition into the FBI files.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Peyton Brooks books be read as standalones?

While individual cases are solved in each book, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The overarching character development, Peyton's struggles with PTSD, and her evolving relationship with her partner Marco D'Angelo build directly from one book to the next.

QWhat is the order of the prequel stories?

Chronologically, the novellas in Peyton Brooks Homicide: The Early Cases (starting with A Sour Grape) take place first, followed by the prequel novella Murder in the Painted Lady, which leads directly into the events of Murder on Potrero Hill.

QHow does the FBI series differ from the original mystery series?

The original series is a realistic crime procedural set in San Francisco. The Peyton Brooks, FBI series introduces supernatural elements as Peyton joins the "Ghost Squad" to investigate paranormal crimes involving zombies, werewolves, and other creatures.

QWho wrote the Peyton Brooks series?

The series is written by M.L. Hamilton, a high school English and journalism teacher from Central California who turned to mystery writing after a personal experience with a strange family death.

QWhere is the Peyton Brooks series set?

The original mystery series and the Early Cases novellas are set against the foggy, atmospheric backdrop of San Francisco, California, while the FBI series takes Peyton to various international locations, from London to the Yucatan.