How to Read The Texas Murder Files in Order
If you love police procedurals with authentic forensics and high-tension romance, Laura Griffin’s The Texas Murder Files is a must-read. The series is set against the backdrop of Texas, transitioning from the bustling city of Austin to the windswept shores of the fictional coastal town of Lost Beach. Fortunately for readers, the reading order is incredibly straightforward because the publication order perfectly mirrors the chronological timeline of events.
Here is the recommended reading path to follow the series from start to finish:
- Hidden (2020): Set in Austin. Investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads teams up with homicide Detective Jacob Merritt when a jogger is murdered on a local trail, uncovering a high-tech conspiracy.
- Flight (2021): Set in Lost Beach. Former forensic photographer Miranda Rhoads (Bailey’s sister) discovers multiple victims in a swampy marsh, leading her to team up with Detective Joel Breda.
- Midnight Dunes (2022): Set in Lost Beach. Documentarian Macey Burns moves into a beach house only to find a body, drawing her into an investigation with Joel’s brother, Detective Owen Breda.
- Deep Tide (2023): Set in Lost Beach. Coffee shop owner Leyla Breda (sister to Joel and Owen) finds herself in the crosshairs of a smuggling ring and partners with undercover FBI agent Sean Moran.
- Liar's Point (2024): Set in Lost Beach. Homicide Detective Nicole Lawson works with her professional rival Emmet Davis to solve a suspicious death near Lighthouse Point.
Standalone Nature vs. Overarching Continuity
One of the best things about The Texas Murder Files is that each book is written as a standalone novel. Every story introduces a fresh murder investigation and a new central couple whose romantic arc is fully resolved by the final page. You do not have to worry about frustrating cliffhangers or unresolved relationship drama carrying over between books.
However, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience. Griffin weaves subtle threads of continuity throughout the series. The most notable connection is the Rhoads sisterhood: the heroine of Hidden (Bailey) is the sister of the heroine in Flight (Miranda). Furthermore, books two, three, and four center heavily around the close-knit Breda family, allowing you to watch the siblings support one another across their respective stories.
The Breda Family Subseries in Lost Beach
While the first book takes place in the urban environment of Austin, the subsequent novels shift to the atmospheric, coastal setting of Lost Beach. Here, the local Breda family takes center stage. Understanding their relationships makes the middle books of the series even more satisfying:
- Joel Breda: The detective in Flight, who is first to deal with the unique challenges of policing a small coastal community while navigating his chemistry with Miranda Rhoads.
- Owen Breda: Joel's brother and fellow detective, who leads the investigation in Midnight Dunes when a cold case resurfaces.
- Leyla Breda: The sister of Joel and Owen, who runs the local coffee and pastry shop in Lost Beach. Her business and family connections drag her into a dangerous web in Deep Tide.
By reading these three novels in sequence, you get a warm, recurring look at the Breda family dynamics and how the siblings protect their town and each other.
What to Know Before You Start: Shared Universe Connections
Longtime fans of Laura Griffin will spot exciting Easter eggs throughout The Texas Murder Files. The series exists within a shared universe alongside her famous, long-running Tracers series. While the Tracers books focus heavily on the Delphi Center—a state-of-the-art, private forensic laboratory in Austin—the detectives in The Texas Murder Files frequently consult with Delphi Center forensic experts to solve their cases. This connection adds a rich layer of realism to the police procedures, showing that the characters share the same stomping grounds and professional networks.
In terms of tone, readers should expect a fast-paced blend of gritty crime scenes, autopsy details, and investigative police work alongside passionate, adult romantic relationships. The suspense is intense and realistic, drawing on Griffin's background as a journalist covering crime and court cases.