How to Read the Winnebago County Mystery Series
For the best experience, readers should follow the Winnebago County series in its publication order. Because the books follow the professional growth and personal relationships of Sergeant Corinne "Corky" Aleckson and Detective Elton "Smoke" Dawes, reading them chronologically is identical to their release sequence. Reading them in order allows you to fully appreciate the character dynamics, ongoing subplots, and the evolution of the fictional Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.
Winnebago County Recommended Reading Order
- Murder in Winnebago County (2008) – The debut novel introduces Corky Aleckson as she investigates a series of apparent suicides targeting criminal justice professionals, suspecting a serial killer is at play.
- Buried in Wolf Lake (2009) – A gruesome discovery of a dismembered leg leads Corky and Smoke on a hunt for a serial offender targeting women with very specific traits.
- An Altar by the River (2010) – Corky and her team dive into a chilling mystery surrounding a local cult and a suspicious death near the water.
- The Noding Field Mystery (2012) – The investigation of a body found in a harvested field unearths dark secrets in a local farming community.
- A Death in Lionel's Woods (2013/2014) – This installment tackles a gritty case involving human trafficking with unexpected local connections.
- Secret in Whitetail Lake (2015) – A mystery surrounding a submerged vehicle and long-buried secrets that residents would prefer remain hidden.
- Firesetter in Blackwood Township (2017) – Corky investigates a series of devastating arsons that escalate from property damage to murder.
- Remains in Coyote Bog (2019) – The discovery of human skeletal remains in a remote bog opens up a cold case with current-day implications.
- Death to the Dealers (2021) – The law enforcement team takes on a dangerous ring of local drug dealers in an increasingly personal battle.
- Deputy #714 Is Down (2023) – The stakes are raised when one of their own, Deputy Vincent Weber, is shot in a local café, drawing in the FBI.
What to Know Before You Start
Christine Husom’s writing stands out for its authenticity. Drawing from her real-life training with the St. Paul Police Department and her experience serving with the Wright County Sheriff's Department in Minnesota, she delivers realistic police work. The tone is described as "medium-boiled"—it is grittier and more realistic than a standard cozy mystery, yet avoids the bleakness of hard-boiled noir, making it a great middle-ground for mystery enthusiasts.
While the cases in each book are resolved by the final page, the ongoing relationships and character arcs continue from one book to the next. For this reason, starting with Murder in Winnebago County is highly recommended.
Spin-offs and Companion Series
While there are no direct spin-offs of the Winnebago County series, Christine Husom is also the author of the Snow Globe Shop Mystery series. Unlike the realistic police procedurals of Winnebago County, the Snow Globe Shop books (beginning with Snow Way Out in 2015) are traditional, lighthearted cozy mysteries set in Utah, featuring gift shop manager Cami Brooks. They offer a fun contrast in tone for fans of Husom's storytelling style.