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Art Taylor Books in Order

27 Books
4 Series & collections
2012 – 2024 Published
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Where to Start Reading Art Taylor

If you are new to Art Taylor's crime and mystery fiction, the absolute best starting point is his debut novel, On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories (2015). This book perfectly showcases Taylor's signature blend of screwball comedy, domestic suspense, and emotional depth. It introduces readers to Del, a small-time crook trying to stay on the straight and narrow, and Louise, his energetic partner and accomplice. Since the book is structured as a series of six tightly linked stories, it serves as the perfect bridge between Taylor's masterful short-form fiction and a traditional novel structure.

The Del & Louise Series

The story of Del and Louise is a chronological journey that should be read in the order presented in the novel. The characters first appeared in short stories published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (EQMM) before being revised and gathered into a cohesive narrative arc for the book publication.

  • On the Road with Del & Louise (2015) - A novel in stories following the couple's adventures and capers across America as they seek redemption and a fresh start.

Although individual stories like "Rearview Mirror" (first published in EQMM in 2010) and "Commission" (published in EQMM in 2015) can be found in older magazine back-issues, the revised versions in the novel are considered the definitive versions for the characters' continuity.

Acclaimed Short Story Collections

For readers who want to explore Art Taylor's award-winning standalone short stories, he has released two major collections. These books compile stories previously published in various crime digests and anthologies, making them the most convenient way to enjoy his shorter works. They can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order shows the progression of his style:

1. The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74 and Other Tales of Suspense (2020)

This collection gathers 16 stories spanning over 25 years of Taylor's writing career. It features a wide variety of tones, from coming-of-age mysteries to dark suspense. Key stories in this collection include:

  • "The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74" (Title story)
  • "English 398: Fiction Workshop" (The Edgar Award-winning short story)
  • "Rearview Mirror" (The original introduction to Del and Louise)

2. The Adventure of the Castle Thief and Other Expeditions and Indiscretions (2023)

Taylor's second collection features 13 stories ranging from lighthearted cozy homages to classic noir. Notable stories include:

  • "The Adventure of the Castle Thief" (The title story featuring a creative writing professor in Ireland)
  • "Mrs. Marple and the Hit and Run" (A tribute to traditional senior sleuths)
  • "The White Rose of Memphis" (A noir-styled crime story)

Chronological Order of Standalone Short Stories and Novellas

Beyond his collected books, many of Art Taylor's stories were originally published in thematic anthologies. Below is the chronological publication order of his major individual short stories, novellas, and contributions:

  • "When Duty Calls" (2012)
  • "The Care and Feeding of House Plants" (2013)
  • "Premonition" (2014)
  • "The Odds Are Against Us" (2014)
  • "Chesapeake Crimes: Storm Warning" (2016)
  • "A Necessary Ingredient" (2017)
  • "English 398: Fiction Workshop" (2018)
  • "Crime Travel" (2019)
  • "The Invisible Band" (2022)

Anthologies and Editing Work

Art Taylor is highly active in the mystery community and has edited several award-winning anthologies. Reading these anthologies is a great way to experience his editorial eye alongside stories by other top crime writers:

  • Murder Under the Oaks (2015) - Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Anthology.
  • California Schemin' (2020)
  • The Beat of Black Wings (2020)
  • Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder (2020)
  • Lawyers, Guns, and Money: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Warren Zevon (2022)
  • School of Hard Knox (2023)
  • Midsummer Mysteries Short Stories (2024)

What to Know Before You Start

Art Taylor's style is heavily influenced by classic mystery writers such as Agatha Christie, but he modernizes the genre by focusing intensely on character dynamics, relationships, and the moral weight of criminal choices. Most of his stories function as standalones, meaning you do not need to worry about rigid continuity outside of the Del and Louise stories. You can pick up either of his short story collections and jump in at any point.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for Art Taylor's books?

The recommended starting point is his debut novel, On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories (2015), which provides a cohesive narrative arc while showcasing his style.

QDo I need to read Art Taylor's short story collections in a specific order?

No. The stories in The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74 (2020) and The Adventure of the Castle Thief (2023) are standalone and can be read in any order.

QWhat does 'a novel in stories' mean for On the Road with Del & Louise?

It means the book is comprised of six separate, self-contained short stories that connect chronologically to tell a larger, single narrative about the main characters.

QWhich of Art Taylor's short stories won the Edgar Award?

His short story "English 398: Fiction Workshop" won the Edgar Award for Best Short Story in 2019. It is collected in both of his major short story compilations.

QDoes Art Taylor write traditional full-length novels?

No. Art Taylor specializes in short fiction, novellas, and linked stories. On the Road with Del & Louise is his closest work to a traditional novel format.

QAre the original magazine versions of the Del and Louise stories different from the novel?

Yes. The stories originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine were revised and polished by the author to link together more smoothly for the novel release.