Where Should You Start Reading Aaron Elkins?
Aaron Elkins is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern forensic mystery. Long before television shows like Bones or bestselling novels by Kathy Reichs popularized forensic anthropology, Elkins introduced the world to Gideon Oliver, the brilliant 'Skeleton Detective,' in 1982. But with dozens of books spanning forensic science, art museum curation, professional golf, and international thrillers, finding the right starting point can feel a bit daunting.
For most readers, the absolute best place to start is with the Gideon Oliver Series. If you want to experience the progression of Gideon's personal and professional life from the very beginning, you should start with his debut novel, Fellowship of Fear (1982). However, if you want to jump straight into the book where Elkins truly found his narrative stride and won the prestigious Edgar Award, you can start with the fourth book, Old Bones (1987). Both serve as excellent gateways to his writing.
If you prefer art history and museum mysteries over bone science, you should start with the Chris Norgren Series, beginning with A Deceptive Clarity (1987). If you enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries with a sports twist, the golf-themed Lee Ofsted Series, co-authored with Charlotte Elkins, starts with A Wicked Slice (1989).
The Signature Series: Gideon Oliver (The Skeleton Detective)
The Gideon Oliver novels are Aaron Elkins' most famous works. Gideon is a professor of forensic anthropology who uses skeletal remains to reconstruct how victims died, often traveling to exotic international locations where local police are baffled. The books balance fascinating scientific detail with light humor and classic mystery plotting. Because the books were written and published in chronological order, following the publication order is the most satisfying way to watch Gideon's relationships and career develop over the years.
Publication and Chronological Order of Gideon Oliver Books
- Fellowship of Fear (1982) - Gideon takes a teaching post at U.S. military bases in Germany, only to find himself targeted by assassins.
- The Dark Place (1983) - Set in the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest, this novel introduces Julie, who becomes a major character in the series.
- Murder in the Queen's Armes (1985) - Gideon travels to England to examine ancient bones but gets wrapped up in a modern murder.
- Old Bones (1987) - The Edgar Award-winning mystery set in a French estate, where a family patriarch's bones are recovered from a flooded cellar.
- Curses! (1989) - Gideon investigates Mayan ruins in Yucatan, Mexico, and must deal with an alleged ancient curse.
- Icy Clutches (1990) - Set in the freezing glaciers of Alaska, where a decades-old expedition disaster resurfaces.
- Make No Bones (1991) - A forensics conference in Oregon turns deadly when a prominent colleague is murdered.
- Dead Men's Hearts (1994) - An archaeological dig in Egypt becomes a crime scene.
- Twenty Blue Devils (1997) - Gideon travels to Tahiti to investigate the mysterious death of a coffee plantation owner.
- Skeleton Dance (2000) - Set in the French countryside, focusing on a prehistoric site and modern village secrets.
- Good Blood (2004) - A working vacation in the sunny vineyards of Tuscany turns dark.
- Where There's a Will (2005) - Gideon is called to ranching country in Hawaii after a suspected plane crash.
- Unnatural Selection (2006) - Set in the rugged Isles of Scilly, where ecological debates meet forensic investigation.
- Little Tiny Teeth (2007) - A research trip to the biodiverse rainforests of Costa Rica leads to deadly rivalries.
- Uneasy Relations (2008) - Gideon examines a fossil discovery in Gibraltar that threatens to rewrite human history.
- Skull Duggery (2009) - Gideon is called to the coast of Mexico to identify a skull that has washed ashore.
- Dying on the Vine (2012) - Set in the picturesque vineyards of Chianti, Italy.
- Switcheroo (2016) - Gideon investigates a cold case from the 1960s involving switched identity and long-buried family secrets.
The Chris Norgren Mysteries (Solo Art Mysteries)
Before partnering with his wife on art-related cozy series, Elkins wrote three highly acclaimed solo novels featuring Chris Norgren. Chris is a curator for the San Francisco Museum of Fine Art, whose expertise in identifying art forgeries regularly pulls him into international conspiracies, theft, and murder. These books are perfect for fans of intellectual puzzles, European travel, and art history details.
Publication Order of Chris Norgren Books
- A Deceptive Clarity (1987)
- A Glancing Light (1991)
- Old Scores (1993)
Co-Authored Series with Charlotte Elkins
Aaron Elkins has frequently collaborated with his wife, Charlotte Elkins, who is also an accomplished writer. Together, they have written two distinct mystery series that lean slightly more towards the cozy mystery subgenre, featuring resourceful protagonists and engaging subplots.
The Alix London Series
Alix London is an art consultant, restorer, and 'art whisperer' who helps wealthy clients, galleries, and museums authenticate valuable paintings. Like the Chris Norgren series, these books deal heavily with the high-stakes art world, but they feature a modern female protagonist navigating contemporary art forgery and crime.
- A Dangerous Talent (2012)
- A Cruise to Die For (2013)
- The Art Whisperer (2014)
- The Trouble with Mirrors (2016)
The Lee Ofsted Series
For something completely different, the Elkinses created Lee Ofsted, a struggling young professional golfer trying to make it on the women's tour. Throughout her travels, Lee has a knack for landing in the middle of murder investigations, combining sporting drama with classic cozy mystery sleuthing.
- A Wicked Slice (1989)
- Rotten Lies (1995)
- Nasty Breaks (1997)
- Where Have All the Birdies Gone? (2004)
- On the Fringe (2005)
Standalone Novels & Short Stories
If you want a self-contained story without committing to a multi-book series, Elkins has written several standalone thrillers. These novels often weave historical mysteries, particularly World War II art looting, into modern-day suspense plots. He also won an Agatha Award with Charlotte Elkins for their short story Nice Gorilla (1992).
Standalone Novels in Publication Order
- Loot (1999) - A gripping thriller centered on art stolen by the Nazis during World War II.
- Turncoat (2002) - A historical suspense novel exploring the occupied France of WWII and its lasting secrets.
- The Worst Thing (2011) - A kidnapping negotiator goes up against a complex international conspiracy.
- A Long Time Coming (2018) - A mystery that delves into long-lost paintings, secrets, and art world drama.
What to Know Before You Start
Unlike some thriller series where characters age slowly or reset status between books, the Gideon Oliver series features genuine personal continuity. While each mystery is entirely self-contained (meaning you can pick up any book and understand the crime), Gideon's personal life progresses sequentially. You will watch him meet his wife Julie, settle down, change jobs, and age naturally over the course of the thirty-four-year publishing span of the series. To fully appreciate this character arc, reading the Gideon Oliver books in publication order is highly recommended.