Where to Start with Al Macy's Books
Al Macy is a former neuroscientist and computer game programmer who pivoted to writing fiction after retiring. His stories are known for combining fast-paced mystery, hard science fiction, and a signature dose of quirky humor. Because he writes across several distinct series, the best place to start depends on your favorite genre:
- For Paranormal Mystery Fans: Start with Yesterday's Thief, the book that introduces Eric Beckman, a private investigator with the ability to read the conscious thoughts of those around him.
- For Sci-Fi Comedy Fans: Start with Contact Us, the first main entry in the Jake Corby series, featuring an ex-FBI agent dealing with a bizarre alien invasion that begins with a synchronized global sneeze.
- For Legal Thriller Fans: Start with Conclusive Evidence, the opening novel of the Goodlove and Shek series, following defense attorney Garrett Goodlove as he tackles seemingly impossible cases.
The Eric Beckman Series Reading Order
The Eric Beckman series is Al Macy's most famous work. The protagonist is a private investigator who can hear the active thoughts of anyone nearby. This power makes his investigations highly unusual, but it also complicates his personal life and sanity. While the books are largely self-contained mysteries, Beckman's personal relationships, his understanding of his own powers, and the overarching character arcs progress across the series. Readers can choose between two main orders.
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order allows you to experience the evolution of Eric's mind-reading powers and the supporting cast as the author originally designed them. This order starts with the core mystery that established the character before jumping back to his origin story later.
- Yesterday's Thief (2016)
- Sanity's Thief (2016)
- Democracy's Thief (2017)
- A Mind Reader's Christmas (2017)
- The Day Before Yesterday's Thief (2018) — This is a prequel novel that details Eric's early life and how he first discovered his telepathic abilities.
- The Mind Reader's Journey (2019)
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer to follow Eric's life from the very beginning of his timeline, you can start with the prequel to see how his powers manifested before diving into his career as a private investigator.
- The Day Before Yesterday's Thief (2018) — Prequel / Book 0.5
- Yesterday's Thief (2016) — Book 1
- Sanity's Thief (2016) — Book 2
- Democracy's Thief (2017) — Book 3
- A Mind Reader's Christmas (2017) — Book 4
- The Mind Reader's Journey (2019) — Book 5
Goodlove and Shek Books Reading Order
The Goodlove and Shek series shifts the focus to courtroom drama and investigative thrillers, though it retains Macy's characteristic humor and plot twists. The series follows defense attorney Garrett Goodlove and his sister Carly Shek, a talented private investigator. To fully appreciate the development of the siblings' dynamic and the recurring legal stakes, it is highly recommended to read this series in order. Additionally, Al Macy wrote a short companion novella during the COVID-19 pandemic that fits directly into the timeline.
- Conclusive Evidence (2019)
- Sufficient Evidence (2019)
- Damaging Evidence (2020)
- Damaging Quarantine (2020) — A short story / companion novella set during the pandemic lockdown. While optional, it fits narratively between the third and fourth novels.
- Forgotten Evidence (2020)
- Missing Evidence (2021)
Jake Corby Sci-Fi Series Reading Order
The Jake Corby series leans heavily into science fiction, humor, and global high-stakes action. Jake Corby is an ex-FBI troubleshooter who gets wrapped up in alien contact and physics-bending events. The series features a prequel novella that can be read first or as a companion piece.
- The Antiterrorist (2015) — Prequel / Book 0.5
- Contact Us (2015) — Book 1
- The Universe Next Door (2016) — Book 2
Alex Booker Books Reading Order
The Alex Booker series is a fast-paced thriller duology with a wild sci-fi twist. Alex Booker is an accountant who accidentally discovers a massive money-laundering operation involving the President of the United States. After entering a highly experimental witness protection program, a scientific mishap physically de-ages him into a teenager, though he retains his adult memories and intellect. This series must be read in order due to this continuous and bizarre character arc.
- The Protected Witness (2018)
- The Abducted Heiress (2018)
Short Story Collections and Side Stories
For readers who want a quick taste of Al Macy's comedic and speculative writing style without committing to a full-length novel, his short fiction is a great option. The Christmas Planet and Other Stories (2018) is a collection of four holiday-themed, humorous science fiction stories, including a tale about a planet run entirely by miniature schnauzers. These stories are independent of his main thriller and mystery universes and can be read at any time.