Alan Russell Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Alan Russell

Alan Russell is a highly versatile voice in California crime fiction, blending humor, authentic settings, and intense suspense. Because his works span several distinct styles, the best place to start depends entirely on what kind of mystery you enjoy. If you love police procedurals featuring animal companions, start with Burning Man, the first book in the bestselling Gideon and Sirius K-9 series. If you prefer witty, lighthearted, and award-winning capers, start with his classic hotel-sleuth comedy, The Hotel Detective. For fans of darker, twisty psychological thrillers, his standalone works or the Orson Cheever series offer a more intense, mind-bending reading experience.

The Gideon and Sirius Series

This is Russell’s most popular and longest-running series, focused on LAPD officer Michael Gideon and his K-9 partner, a golden retriever named Sirius. Both characters are survivors of a devastating warehouse fire, and their deep bond forms the emotional core of the series. The books blend realistic police work, psychological depth, and the unique dynamics of working with a search-and-rescue dog. Because of character development and overarching subplots, this series is best read in chronological order.

1. Burning Man (2012) - Introduces Detective Michael Gideon and Sirius as they investigate a copycat killer executing victims on bonfire nights.
2. Guardians of the Night (2015) - Gideon and Sirius tackle a string of burglaries that escalate into murder, while diving into the subculture of late-night workers.
3. Lost Dog (2016) - The duo searches for a missing dog that holds the key to a high-profile murder case.
4. Gideon's Rescue (2018) - A frantic search ensues for a kidnapped child, testing the limits of Sirius's tracking abilities.
5. L.A. Woman (2019) - Gideon and Sirius hunt a serial killer targeting vulnerable women across Los Angeles.
6. The Last Good Dog (2021) - Gideon and Sirius must solve a complex conspiracy that hits dangerously close to home.

The Hotel Detective Series

Showcasing his signature wit and drawing on his real-life professional background in hotel administration, Russell created Amicus Curiae, a hotel detective working the glamorous yet chaotic beat of a luxury resort in California. This series is famous for its humor, eccentric guests, and fast-paced mysteries, earning Russell the Lefty Award for best comedic mystery.

1. The Hotel Detective (1994) - Amicus Curiae must juggle demanding VIP guests, bizarre hotel politics, and a sudden murder investigation.
2. The Fat Innkeeper (1995) - A comedic follow-up where hotel operations again collide with crime and eccentric tourists.

Detective Orson Cheever Series

For readers who enjoy complex psychological profiling and clinical mysteries, this short series delves into the darker recesses of the human mind. The debut novel was highly praised for its nuanced depiction of mental health struggles.

1. Multiple Wounds (1996) - Detective Orson Cheever investigates an art gallery murder where the primary suspect suffers from dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities). This book was nominated for both the Anthony and Macavity Awards.
2. The Homecoming (2017) - Cheever returns to tackle a deeply personal case involving family trauma and hidden pasts.

Stuart Winter P.I. Series

This series represents Russell’s early contribution to the classic California private investigator subgenre. Stuart Winter is a witty, observant PI operating in Southern California, solving cases that feature sharp dialogue and regional commentary.

1. No Sign of Murder (1990) - Stuart Winter is hired to find a missing heiress who has seemingly vanished without a trace.
2. Forest Prime Evil (1992) - Winter investigates an environmental dispute that turns deadly in the redwood forests of Northern California.

Nick "Deke" Deketomis Legal Thrillers (Co-Authored Works)

Readers should note that while the Nick "Deke" Deketomis series is widely listed under Russell's bibliography, it is actually a legal thriller franchise created by prominent trial attorney Mike Papantonio. Russell collaborated as a co-author specifically on the fourth novel, Inhuman Trafficking. The other books in the series are written by Papantonio alone or with other legal thriller co-authors. If you want to follow the full arc of the crusading attorney Deke Deketomis, the series order is:

1. Law and Disorder (2016) - Written by Mike Papantonio.
2. Law and Vengeance (2017) - Written by Mike Papantonio.
3. Law and Addiction (2019) - Written by Mike Papantonio.
4. Inhuman Trafficking (2021) - Co-authored by Mike Papantonio and Alan Russell. Deke takes on a major hospitality corporation facilitating modern-day slavery.
5. Suspicious Activity (2024) - Co-authored by Mike Papantonio and Christopher Paulos.

Alan Russell's Standalone Novels

Russell's standalone novels showcase his range, varying from holiday mysteries to intense corporate and political suspense. They can be read in any order and serve as great entry points to his writing.

• Shame (1998) - A dark psychological suspense novel exploring guilt, trauma, and redemption.
• Exposure (2002) - A thriller centered around the dark side of paparazzi culture and media obsession.
• Political Suicide (2003) - A sharp, fast-paced political thriller set against the backdrop of a high-stakes election.
• No Cats, No Chocolate (2004) - A lighter, heart-warming, and humorous mystery featuring a quirky cast.
• St. Nick (2013) - A heartwarming and suspenseful Christmas-themed mystery.
• A Cold War (2015) - A gritty historical suspense thriller examining Cold War secrets and long-buried grievances.

What to Know Before You Start

Alan Russell's bibliography is divided clearly between his lighthearted comedic works (such as the Hotel Detective series) and his gritty, high-stakes procedurals (such as the Gideon and Sirius books). Because of this split, readers who enjoy one series might find the other has a completely different tone. If you prefer tight continuity, stick to the publication order of the Gideon and Sirius books, as the relationship between the detective and his canine companion evolves significantly over the six-novel run. If you are looking for a standalone thriller, Shame and Multiple Wounds represent his most critically acclaimed individual works.