Annette Dashofy Books in Order

Where to Start Your Annette Dashofy Reading Journey

If you are new to Annette Dashofy’s mysteries, the best place to begin is at the very beginning of her signature series, the Zoe Chambers Mystery series, starting with Circle of Influence. This book introduces you to Zoe Chambers, a paramedic and deputy coroner in the rural Vance Township of Pennsylvania, and Police Chief Pete Adams. Starting here allows you to fully experience the character growth, evolving relationships, and overarching subplots that run throughout the series. The mysteries themselves are solved within each book, but the personal lives of Zoe and the small-town community develop continuously across the series.

Alternatively, if you prefer urban police procedurals with a slightly darker, more traditional detective dynamic, you can start with the Detective Matthias Honeywell series, beginning with Where the Guilty Hide. Set in the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, this series follows Erie City Police Detective Matthias Honeywell and freelance crime photographer Emma Anderson. It is a separate series from the Zoe Chambers mysteries, meaning you do not need to read one to understand the other, though both showcase Dashofy’s talent for atmosphere and complex character relationships.

For those looking for a standalone mystery without committing to a multi-book series, Dashofy’s standalone novel Death by Equine is a perfect entry point. It is set in the high-stakes world of Thoroughbred horse racing and won the prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award in 2021.

Zoe Chambers Mystery Series in Publication and Chronological Order

For the Zoe Chambers series, the publication order is identical to the chronological order. The character arcs and relationships progress linearly from book to book, so readers are highly encouraged to follow the order in which they were published. The short story collection, Crime in the Country, contains prequel and companion stories that are best read after you have established familiarity with the characters, ideally after the tenth novel, Til Death, or as a companion to the main series.

Here is the recommended reading order for the Zoe Chambers Mysteries:

1. Circle of Influence (2014) – Introduces Zoe Chambers as she is called to a body found in a rural township, starting a dangerous investigation.
2. Lost Legacy (2014) – Zoe investigates the suspicious death of a local farmer, uncovering decades-old family secrets.
3. Bridges Burned (2015) – A deadly arson case pulls Zoe and Police Chief Pete Adams into a web of small-town grudges.
4. With a Vengeance (2016) – Zoe finds herself targeted by a killer seeking revenge, making this case deeply personal.
5. No Way Home (2017) – A search for a missing teenager leads Zoe into the dark underbelly of the local community.
6. Uneasy Prey (2018) – Zoe must deal with a mystery that threatens her close friends and neighbors.
7. Cry Wolf (2018) – Zoe investigates a series of brutal incidents that suggest a predator is roaming Vance Township.
8. Fair Game (2019) – A high-profile murder case tests the limits of local law enforcement and Zoe's forensic skills.
9. Under the Radar (2020) – Zoe is caught in a web of secrets when a local resident disappears under suspicious circumstances.
10. Til Death (2020) – Zoe and Pete Adams' personal relationship faces major milestones and new challenges amidst a murder investigation.
11. Crime in the Country (2021) – A collection of six short stories that provide crucial backstory (including the first meeting between Zoe and Pete) and companion tales.
12. Fatal Reunion (2022) – Zoe’s high school reunion turns deadly when a killer from the past resurfaces.
13. Helpless (2023) – A fast-paced investigation that leaves Zoe racing against time to prevent further tragedy.
14. What Comes Around (2024) – The latest entry in the Zoe Chambers cases, dealing with karma, consequences, and long-buried truths.

Detective Matthias Honeywell Mystery Series

The Detective Matthias Honeywell series offers a change of scenery, moving from the rural townships of Vance to the lakefront city of Erie, Pennsylvania. This series focuses on police detective Matthias Honeywell and freelance crime photographer Emma Anderson. Like the Zoe Chambers books, this series is best read in publication order to track the unfolding personal lives of the characters alongside the procedural investigations.

Here is the reading order for the Detective Matthias Honeywell Mysteries:

1. Where the Guilty Hide (2023) – Matthias and Emma investigate a gruesome crime that leads them into the secrets of Erie’s elite.
2. Keep Your Family Close (2023) – A kidnapping case tests Matthias’s investigative skills and Emma's photographic intuition.
3. The Devil Comes Calling (2025) – A complex investigation that forces the duo to confront dangerous adversaries in the community.
4. No Stone Left Unturned (2025) – Matthias digs into a cold case that suddenly turns hot, uncovering hidden motivations and long-held lies.
5. Hell Hath No Fury (2026) – The fifth installment in the series, continuing the intense professional and personal partnership of Honeywell and Anderson.

Standalone Novels and Anthologies

In addition to her two main series, Annette Dashofy has written a celebrated standalone novel and contributed to multi-author anthologies. These can be read at any time, as they do not share continuity with the Zoe Chambers or Matthias Honeywell series.

Standalone Novel

• Death by Equine (2021) – This standalone mystery follows veterinarian Laurel Hillyer as she investigates the suspicious death of her mentor at a Thoroughbred racetrack. Drawing on Dashofy’s love of horses, the novel won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award.

Anthologies containing Dashofy’s stories

• Fish Tales (2011) – An anthology featuring cozy and suspenseful mysteries set around bodies of water, containing early short fiction by Dashofy.
• Lucky Charms: 12 Crime Tales (2013) – A collection of mystery stories centered around luck and superstition, showcasing Dashofy’s short mystery work before her novel debut.

What to Know Before You Start

Annette Dashofy's writing style successfully bridges the gap between cozy mysteries and grit-filled police procedurals. Thanks to her five years of experience as a real-world emergency medical technician (EMT), the medical and forensic details in the Zoe Chambers series are highly accurate, lending an air of authenticity to Zoe's role as a paramedic and deputy coroner. While the setting of Vance Township in Pennsylvania offers the close-knit, warm feel of a cozy mystery, the actual crimes involve realistic tension, forensics, and emotional stakes. If you appreciate detailed procedurals with strong regional atmosphere and relatable, hard-working protagonists, Dashofy's books are an excellent fit for your reading list.