What is the recommended reading order for the P.I. Julie Collins series?

You should read the series in order of publication: Blood Ties (2005), Hallowed Ground (2006), Shallow Grave (2007), Snow Blind (2008), followed by the novellas Dead Flowers (2013) and Baited (2014).

Can the Julie Collins books be read as standalones?

While the central mystery of each book is resolved by the end, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The overarching character development, relationship drama with Tony, and Julie's personal growth are strictly continuous.

Where can I find the novellas Dead Flowers and Baited in print?

Both digital novellas were compiled and published together in a single physical print paperback titled Dead Flowers/Baited in 2014.

Did the P.I. Julie Collins series win any awards?

Yes. Snow Blind won the 2009 Shamus Award for Best P.I. Paperback Original. Blood Ties and Hallowed Ground were also nominated for Shamus Awards, and Hallowed Ground won a WILLA Cather Literary Award.

Are Julie Collins and Mercy Gunderson in the same series?

No, they are separate series written by Lori G. Armstrong. Both are gritty mysteries set in South Dakota, but they feature different protagonists and do not have official crossover events.

Who is Lori G. Armstrong's romance pen name?

Lori G. Armstrong writes bestselling contemporary western and erotic romance novels under the pen name Lorelei James .

P.I. Julie Collins Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

The P.I. Julie Collins series follows a strict linear timeline where the protagonist's personal relationships, emotional wounds, and professional partnership evolve continuously from one story to the next. Because of this strong character development and overarching subplots, it is highly recommended to read the series in order of publication. Chronological order and publication order are identical for this series, making your reading path straightforward.

Here is the recommended reading sequence for the series:

Blood Ties (2005) – Novel
Hallowed Ground (2006) – Novel
Shallow Grave (2007) – Novel
Snow Blind (2008) – Novel
Dead Flowers (2013) – Novella
Baited (2014) – Novella

Note: The two digital novellas, Dead Flowers and Baited, were subsequently compiled and published together in a physical print omnibus edition titled Dead Flowers/Baited in 2014.

Detailed Guide to the Julie Collins Books

1. Blood Ties (2005)

The series opens with Blood Ties, introducing readers to Julie Collins. Julie works as a secretary in the Bear Butte County Sheriff's Office in South Dakota, but she moonlights as a private investigator. She is a deeply flawed, chain-smoking, tequila-drinking protagonist haunted by the unsolved murder of her Lakota half-brother, Ben. When a local teenage girl is found dead, Julie teams up with Kevin Wells, an intense former FBI agent turned private investigator. The investigation quickly reveals dark connections to her half-brother's death. This debut novel established Armstrong's gritty style and was nominated for the Shamus Award for Best First P.I. Novel in 2006.

2. Hallowed Ground (2006)

In the second installment, Julie is officially partnering with Kevin Wells in their private investigation agency. The case hits close to home when she is hired to find a missing Native American girl. The investigation forces Julie to navigate complex tribal politics, custody battles, and the local casino industry. On the personal front, Julie's relationship with local biker and entrepreneur Tony Martinez intensifies, bringing romance and additional complications to her life. Hallowed Ground received a nomination for the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Paperback Original and won the WILLA Cather Literary Award.

3. Shallow Grave (2007)

The third novel, Shallow Grave, finds Julie and Kevin hired to investigate a seemingly routine case of insurance fraud. However, the routine probe takes a dark turn when they discover human remains. As they dig deeper, the partners uncover a web of deceit, greed, and secrets hidden beneath the South Dakota prairie. Julie's personal struggles with drinking and impulsiveness continue to challenge her stability, raising the emotional stakes of the investigation. The book was also nominated for a Shamus Award, cementing the series' reputation for high-quality private eye fiction.

4. Snow Blind (2008)

The original novel run concludes with Snow Blind, a claustrophobic thriller set during a brutal South Dakota blizzard. Trapped inside an assisted living facility during the storm, Julie Collins finds herself tasked with solving a series of murders under extreme conditions. With the roads blocked and help unable to reach them, Julie must rely on her wits to catch a killer who is trapped inside with her and the vulnerable residents. Snow Blind won the 2009 Shamus Award for Best P.I. Paperback Original, providing a critically acclaimed finale to the main novels.

5. Dead Flowers (2013)

Published five years after the main novels, the digital novella Dead Flowers returns to Julie's world. Julie is back to trailing cheating spouses, a cynical routine that makes her look closely at her own relationship with Tony Martinez. When a simple surveillance job spirals into something more sinister, Julie is forced to confront her commitment to her partner and her career. This novella serves as a bridge, showing readers where Julie's life has gone after the events of Snow Blind.

6. Baited (2014)

The second digital novella, Baited, focuses on Julie taking a case alone while her partner Kevin Wells is away on another assignment. She is lured into investigating the disappearance of a local fisherman. The search leads her into isolated, treacherous environments where she must rely entirely on her own instincts to survive. Baited provides a satisfying look at Julie's standalone capabilities as an investigator.

What to Know Before You Start

Lori G. Armstrong's writing is characterized by its raw, authentic depiction of South Dakota's landscapes and social dynamics. Here are a few things to keep in mind before diving in:

Gritty and Flawed Heroine: Julie Collins is not a polished, perfect detective. She struggles with alcohol, smokes heavily, makes rash decisions, and carries significant emotional trauma. This raw realism is what draws many fans to the series.
Native American Issues and Tribal Relations: The series deals heavily with the complex relationships, jurisdictional disputes, and social issues between the local sheriff's office, the Lakota community, and the tribal lands of South Dakota. Armstrong handles these dynamics with nuance and regional authenticity.
Strict Continuity: While the individual mysteries in each book are solved, the emotional fallout, romantic relationships (particularly Julie's push-and-pull dynamic with Tony Martinez), and her professional growth with Kevin Wells carry over directly. Do not skip books if you want to understand the character development.

Companion Series and the Lorelei James Connection

If you finish the Julie Collins books and want more of Lori G. Armstrong's gritty style, you can transition to her Mercy Gunderson series (starting with No Mercy). Set in the same South Dakota region, it follows a former Army Black Ops sniper who returns home to run her family's ranch and gets pulled into local mysteries. While there are no direct crossovers or shared storylines between Julie Collins and Mercy Gunderson, they share the same atmospheric, hard-boiled tone. For readers interested in romantic fiction, Armstrong also writes popular contemporary western romance under the pen name Lorelei James, though those books have a completely different, lighter tone than her mystery novels.