Where to Start Reading Ann Aptaker
For readers new to Ann Aptaker, the absolute best place to begin is with the multi-award-winning Cantor Gold Crime series. Starting with the first book, Criminal Gold (2014), allows you to follow the complex character development of the protagonist, the evolution of post-war New York City, and the long-running search for Cantor’s missing love. If you prefer a late-Victorian aesthetic over mid-century noir, you can alternatively start with A Crime of Secrets (2023), which introduces her Victorian-era private inquiry duo Donner & Longstreet.
The Cantor Gold Crime Series
Ann Aptaker's signature series is a striking blend of historical noir, art heist adventure, and queer romance. The protagonist, Cantor Gold, is a dapper, custom-suited lesbian art thief, smuggler, and outlaw living in mid-20th-century New York. Set against the smoky backdrop of 1940s and 1950s crime syndicates, corrupt police officers, and underground bohemian spaces, Cantor operates by her own intricate moral code. Her exploits are aided by a memorable cast, including her loyal assistant Judson Zane, her getaway driver Rosie Bliss, and her underworld mentor "Mom" Sheinbaum.
We recommend reading the Cantor Gold books in their chronological publication order, as the overarching storyline—particularly Cantor’s quest to find her lost love, Sophie de la Luna y Sol—develops across the novels. The series order is as follows:
- Criminal Gold (2014) – Set in 1949, Cantor is caught between the police and the docks' criminal syndicates.
- Tarnished Gold (2015) – Winner of both the Lambda Literary and Goldie Awards, Cantor hunts a missing masterpiece.
- Genuine Gold (2017) – Cantor navigates art forgery, blackmail, and dangerous family secrets.
- Flesh and Gold (2018) – Cantor takes on a case involving blackmail photos and the city's corrupt elite.
- Murder and Gold (2021) – The stakes rise as Cantor is framed for a murder she didn't commit.
- Hunting Gold (2022) – Plunging deeper into the 1950s, Cantor faces predators threatening both her freedom and her life.
- Gold for the Dead (2025) – Set in November 1958, Cantor investigates the disappearance and suspected murder of her close associate, bookie Nick Fortunato.
Donner & Longstreet Mystery Series
Moving away from the mid-century noir of Cantor Gold, Aptaker introduced a new historical duo at the turn of the 20th century. The Donner & Longstreet series takes place in 19th-century New York (starting in 1899) and features two women who are partners in both investigation and love:
- Finola "Fin" Donner – A street-smart survivor from the rough dockside slums of Manhattan.
- Devorah "Dev" Longstreet – An elegant, intellectual socialite from the city's upper crust.
The series currently consists of a single novel:
- A Crime of Secrets (2023) – The duo investigates the brutal murder of a young woman, exposing dark secrets that bridge New York's high society with its criminal underworld.
The Guns + Tacos Contribution
In addition to her primary historical series, Aptaker contributed to the multi-author collaborative project Guns + Tacos published by Down & Out Books. The series is set around a mysterious Chicago taco truck that serves illegal firearms as "special orders" alongside Mexican food.
- A Taco, a T-Bird, a Beretta and One Furious Night (2020) – Released originally as Episode 10 of the serial series, this fast-paced crime novella follows a desperate protagonist who visits the infamous taco truck.
- Guns + Tacos Vol. 4 (2021) – A print compilation that collects Aptaker's Episode 10 alongside contributions from Ryan Sayles and Mark Troy.
This novella is a complete standalone and can be read at any point without prior knowledge of Aptaker’s other works or the rest of the Guns + Tacos series.
What to Know Before You Start
Ann Aptaker's writing is highly atmospheric and heavily informed by her real-life career as an art historian and museum curator. Because of this, the depiction of art heists, historical galleries, and the cultural geography of New York City feels incredibly authentic. Readers should note that her novels contain mature themes, gritty crime elements, and a candid look at the challenges, resilience, and underground social networks of LGBTQ+ individuals during repressive historical eras.