The Ultimate Reading Path for A.E. Howe
If you are looking for small-town southern grit, realistic police procedures, and authentic tactical details, A.E. Howe is a storyteller you cannot miss. Based on a North Florida farm, Howe draws from his real-world background in English education, screenwriting, competitive shooting, and hosting the Guns of Hollywood podcast to weave suspenseful, character-driven mysteries. While his books spans paranormal cozy investigations and mortuary-themed sleuthing, his flagship creation remains Deputy Sheriff Larry Macklin.
For readers deciding where to jump in, the recommended starting point is the Larry Macklin Mysteries. To fully appreciate the recurring characters, evolving family dynamics, and the overarching tension between Larry and his father (who happens to be the county sheriff), you should read this series in order. If you prefer cozy historical mysteries with a supernatural twist, start with the Baron Blasko Mysteries. The standalone novels can be read at any time, though they serve as excellent demonstrations of Howe's early writing style.
The Larry Macklin Mysteries: Small-Town Grittiness and Family Loyalties
Set in the fictional Adams County of North Florida (near Tallahassee), this series centers on Deputy Sheriff Larry Macklin. The series is highly praised for its realistic portrayal of law enforcement, sarcastic humor, and the humid, alligator-laden atmosphere of 'old Florida'. The books are tightly structured, with titles themed around months of the year, holidays, or days of the week.
Larry Macklin Publication Order
- Saturday's Gift (2019) — Often categorized as Book 0.5, this prequel short story is best read after you have familiarized yourself with the characters, or right at the start.
- November's Past (2016) — Book 1. The official starting point where Larry investigates a gruesome murder tied to a victim's hidden history.
- December's Secrets (2016) — Book 2. Personal stakes rise when a murder suspect turns out to be his girlfriend’s father.
- January's Betrayal (2016) — Book 3. Larry tackles corruption within the sheriff's office.
- February's Regrets (2016) — Book 4. Larry is forced to investigate a cold case that hits close to home.
- March's Luck (2016) — Book 5. A streak of bad luck and deadly confrontations test Larry's resolve.
- April's Desires (2017) — Book 6. A web of jealousy and small-town greed turns fatal.
- May's Danger (2017) — Book 7. Larry's girlfriend, Cara, finds a body at her veterinary clinic, pulling Larry into a dangerous game.
- June's Troubles (2017) — Book 8. A heatwave sets the stage for a rise in local crimes and personal stress.
- July's Trials (2018) — Book 9. Courtroom drama and street-level investigations collide.
- August's Heat (2018) — Book 10. The sweltering Florida summer brings a boiling point for county tensions.
- September's Fury (2018) — Book 11. Stormy weather matches a storm of violence in the county.
- October's Fear (2019) — Book 12. Creepy local legends turn all too real as Halloween approaches.
- Spring's Promises (2019) — Book 13. A seasonal shift brings new promises but also deadly secrets.
- Summer's Rage (2020) — Book 14. Extreme heat drives local tempers to a lethal breaking point.
- Autumn's Ghost (2020) — Book 15. Larry must untangle a mystery that feels haunted by the past.
- Winter's Chill (2021) — Book 16. A cold snap in Florida coincides with a chilling double homicide.
- Valentine's Warning (2021) — Book 17. Holiday romance is cut short by a series of threatening notes and violence.
- St. Patrick's Cross (2022) — Book 18. Local celebrations turn dark when a body is discovered near a local landmark.
- Sunday's Discovery (2022) — A short story/novella detailing a quick, fast-paced case for Larry.
- Memorial Day's Escape (2023) — Book 19. A high-stakes chase ensues over the holiday weekend.
- Monday's Woman (2023) — Another short story/novella entry focusing on a localized mystery.
- Independence Day's Search (2024) — Book 20. Holiday fireworks mask a desperate search for a missing person.
- Tuesday's Innocence (2024) — Often listed as a short story or numbered as Book 21 depending on the publisher's configuration.
- Labor Day's Revelations (2025) — Book 21. Holiday secrets unravel when a long-buried secret comes to light.
- Wednesday's Child (2025) — Book 22. Larry is pulled into a sensitive case involving family custody and murder.
- Halloween's Haunt (2026) — Book 23. A festive haunt turns into a real crime scene, challenging Larry's investigative skills.
Larry Macklin Chronological and Novella Caveats
While the publication order is the most straightforward way to read the series, you should note the inclusion of the 'day-of-the-week' titles (Sunday's Discovery, Monday's Woman, Tuesday's Innocence, and Wednesday's Child). These entries are shorter novellas or stories that focus on standalone cases. Some readers choose to skip them to focus strictly on the larger monthly and holiday novels, but reading them in their publication slots offers minor character details that enrich the overall journey. Prequel story Saturday's Gift was published in 2019 but chronologically takes place before November's Past; however, starting with November's Past remains the recommended entry point to ensure you are hooked by the full-length novel format first.
The Baron Blasko Mysteries: Cozy Paranormal Mystery in the 1930s South
Moving away from contemporary police investigations, this series takes you to Depression-era Alabama. The narrative revolves around Josephine Nicolson, an amateur sleuth who returns from a trip to Romania with an unexpected, permanent houseguest: Baron Dragomir Blasko, a vampire. This series blends cozy mystery conventions with historical setting details and paranormal chemistry. Reading them in order is highly recommended to follow the evolving relationship and supernatural challenges.
- Fangs (2018)
- Knives (2018)
- Claws (2019)
- Tentacles (2020)
- Dust (2024)
The Mortician Murder Mystery Series: Death and Amateur Sleuthing
This series introduces Kay Lamberton, a co-owner of a Florida funeral home who finds herself acting as an amateur sleuth alongside her brother, Lee. It offers a unique angle on cozy crime fiction, contrasting the everyday management of a mortuary with the puzzles of local homicides. These books should be read in order to track Kay's personal development and business struggles.
- Return to Death (2022)
- Gambling on Death (2022)
- Memorial for Death (2022)
- Search for Death (2023)
Standalone Thrillers: The Roots of A.E. Howe's Suspense
Before launching his long-running series, A.E. Howe published standalone works that allowed him to experiment with pacing and tone. These can be read in any order:
- Broken State (2014) — Howe's debut novel. Set around Halloween in the town of Calhoun, it is a classic mystery-thriller surrounding an infamous local haunted house and a series of real-life locked-door murders.
- Creature Feature (2015) — A short, script-style standalone work showing Howe's background in playwriting and screenwriting.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone, Settings, and Firearms Authenticity
Before you dive into A.E. Howe's work, here are a few tips to help you set your expectations:
- Clean and Approachable: Howe's mysteries are generally free of excessive vulgarity and graphic gore. They appeal to readers who want suspense and authentic investigations without feeling overwhelmed by graphic violence.
- Firearms and Tactical Realism: Thanks to Howe's background in competitive shooting and firearms podcasting, you will find that the depiction of guns, shooting techniques, and police tactical responses is exceptionally accurate compared to typical crime fiction.
- Fictional vs. Real Geography: While Adams County is fictional, it is heavily based on real North Florida locales near Tallahassee. The descriptions of humidity, local wildlife, and rural farm life are drawn directly from the author's own living experiences.