Where to Start Reading Alan Orloff's Books
For readers diving into Alan Orloff's mystery and suspense novels, the best entry point depends entirely on what flavor of crime fiction you prefer. Orloff is highly versatile, writing everything from lighthearted, humor-laced traditional mysteries to dark, gritty thrillers. Here are the recommended starting points:
- For a Heartwarming traditional mystery: Start with Sanctuary Motel (2023). This book introduces Mess Hopkins, a motel owner with a heart of gold who constantly finds himself helping those in need, even when it puts his own safety—and business—at risk. It is contemporary, engaging, and represents his recent mastery of the genre.
- For Wry Humor and Comedy Club Vibes: Start with Killer Routine (2011). This is the first book in his Last Laff Mystery series, featuring stand-up comedian Channing Hayes. It blends the gritty, cynical world of stand-up comedy with a classic whodunit plot in Northern Virginia.
- For Award-Winning Standalone Thrillers: Start with I Play One on TV (2021), a critically acclaimed young adult thriller that won both the Agatha and Anthony Awards, or Pray for the Innocent (2018), which won an ITW Thriller Award. Both showcase Orloff's ability to build high-stakes tension and complex character arcs.
- For Dark, Noir, and Horror-Tinged Thrillers: Pick up First Time Killer (2012) or The Taste (2011), which Orloff published under his darker pseudonym, Zak Allen.
The Mess Hopkins Series
This series centers on Benjamin "Mess" Hopkins, the well-meaning manager of a slightly run-down Fairfax Manor Inn in Virginia. Mess earned his nickname as a child due to his untidy room, but it also reflects his tendency to get involved in messy, dangerous situations to help vulnerable people. The books should be read in order to appreciate the development of Mess's personal relationships and his ongoing struggle to keep his family-owned business afloat.
- Sanctuary Motel (2023) – Mess takes in a mother and her teenage son who are escaping an abusive situation, only to find himself target by dangerous individuals searching for them.
- Late Checkout (2024) – In this follow-up, Mess's life is upended when a relative thought to be dead suddenly reappears as a witness to a murder, drawing Mess into a complex conspiracy.
The Last Laff Mystery Series
Featuring Channing Hayes, a scarred stand-up comic who runs a comedy club in Northern Virginia, this series is famous for its dark humor and inside look at the comedy scene. Channing is a reluctant detective who cannot help but get dragged into investigations. While each mystery is resolved at the end of the book, you will get the most out of Channing’s character growth by reading them in order.
- Killer Routine (2011) – Introduces Channing Hayes as he investigates the murder of a fellow comic.
- Deadly Campaign (2012) – Channing becomes embroiled in a high-profile political campaign when a candidate is targeted.
Standalone Novels (In Publication Order)
Alan Orloff's standalone thrillers and novels span a wide range of subgenres, from traditional cozy mysteries to dark psychological crime. While they are completely self-contained and can be read in any order, reading them in publication order allows fans to see how Orloff's style has evolved over the years.
- Diamonds for the Dead (2010) – Orloff's Agatha-nominated debut novel follows Josh Handleman as he uncovers deep family secrets and hidden gems in Reston, Virginia.
- The Taste (2011) – A horror-tinged thriller that takes a darker, more psychological approach to the mystery genre.
- First Time Killer (2012) – Published under the pseudonym Zak Allen, this is a dark, noir-style mystery set within a shock-radio station.
- Ride-Along (2013) – A fast-paced e-book original focusing on a ride-along that goes horribly wrong.
- Running From the Past (2015) – A tense psychological thriller exploring the lengths to which someone will go to escape their history.
- Pray for the Innocent (2018) – A Thriller Award-winning novel focusing on a community rocked by a kidnapping and the moral dilemmas surrounding it.
- I Know Where You Sleep (2020) – A dark, gripping suspense novel featuring a private investigator who tries to protect clients from stalkers, only to become a target himself.
- I Play One on TV (2021) – An award-winning YA thriller about a teenager who lands a gig acting in a reenactment TV show, only to realize he might be playing the role of a real-world killer.
The Guns + Tacos Shared Universe
Readers looking at Orloff's bibliography might be confused by the long list of "Guns + Tacos" books. It is important to know that Guns + Tacos is a multi-author shared-universe project published by Down & Out Books and edited by Michael Bracken and Trey Barker. The series is set around a Chicago-based taco truck that secretly sells illegal firearms in to-go bags. Many different crime fiction authors contributed individual episodes to the series. Alan Orloff did not write the entire series; he contributed one specific, highly praised novella to the project:
- Two Black Bean and Shrimp Quesadillas, and a Pink Ruger LCP (2022) – This is Episode 20 (appearing in Season Four / Volume 4 of the series), featuring Orloff's signature blend of desperate characters, fast-paced action, and dark humor.
Short Stories and Anthologies
Aside from his novels, Orloff is an active short story writer. His short stories have appeared in numerous prestigious anthologies. Standouts include his contributions to the Chesapeake Crimes series, the Malice Domestic anthologies, and his standalone digital short story Rent Due (2020). Reading these anthologies is a great way to experience his writing in bite-sized portions alongside other notable crime writers.