Where to Start Reading Bernard Schaffer
Bernard Schaffer is uniquely positioned in the world of crime fiction because of his 20-year career as a police officer and detective. This experience gives his police procedurals and thrillers a level of raw, uncompromising realism that few writers can replicate. For most readers, the best place to start is with his acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series, beginning with The Thief of All Light. It offers the perfect mix of psychological thriller, dark mystery, and authentic detective tradecraft.
If you prefer classic, character-focused police procedurals over dark serial killer stories, start with his self-published Superbia series. If you are a fan of sci-fi or space westerns in the vein of Firefly, his Guns of Seneca 6 series is the ideal entry point. Finally, for fans of traditional frontier stories, his contributions to the legendary Ralph Compton brand provide excellent standalone western adventures.
The Santero & Rein Thrillers (Reading Order)
This series is Bernard Schaffer's most famous work, receiving praise from major thriller authors like Lee Child and Lisa Scottoline. The story focuses on Carrie Santero, a young, ambitious rookie patrol officer, and her mentor Jacob Rein, a brilliant but deeply damaged veteran detective. Together, they hunt down complex, highly intelligent killers. The books follow a strict chronological storyline and should be read in order of publication:
- The Thief of All Light (2018) – Introduces Carrie Santero as she gets pulled into the orbit of Jacob Rein to hunt an 'omnikiller' who has evaded police for years.
- An Unsettled Grave (2019) – Follows Carrie and Rein as they investigate a cold case involving a buried car containing the bodies of a mother and her children.
- Blood Angel (2020) – Carrie and Rein face a new, terrifying threat when a serial killer targets victims in a deeply personal campaign of terror.
The Superbia Series (Reading Order)
Drawing directly from Schaffer's real-life experiences in patrol and narcotics, the Superbia series offers a gritty, ground-level look at police work in a fictional town. The series is centered on officers Frank O'Ryan and Detective Vic Ajax. It blends intense action with the dark humor and administrative frustrations real police officers face daily. Interestingly, this series exists in a shared indie universe and has featured cross-over concepts with author J.A. Konrath's famous Jack Daniels series. The reading order is straightforward:
- Superbia (2012)
- Superbia 2 (2012)
- Superbia 3 (2013)
- Superbia 4 (2018) – A collection of connected short stories that expand the lore and characters of the Superbia universe.
Guns of Seneca 6: The Space Western Trilogy
For readers who want a change of pace, Schaffer created a unique genre-blending series that combines classic western tropes with space-age science fiction. Set on a remote, dusty mining settlement on the planet Seneca 6, the story follows Jem Clayton and Doctor Royce Henry Halladay as they defend their home from intergalactic marshals, outlaws, and terrifying weapons. Read these books in order:
- Guns of Seneca 6 (2011)
- Immaculate Killers (2012)
- Magnificent Guns of Seneca 6 (2013)
The Ralph Compton Western Contributions
Bernard Schaffer is a key contributor to the long-running Ralph Compton Western franchise. After Ralph Compton passed away, Berkley Books continued publishing under his name using talented co-authors to write new books in the established series. Because of this, public databases often list dozens of books under these series next to Schaffer's name. However, Schaffer only wrote three specific books in these lines, all published in 2021. They can be read as complete standalones, though they share the signature 'Snake' branding in their titles:
- Face of a Snake (2021) – Part of the Gunfighter series, following a deadly quest for frontier justice.
- Snake's Fury (2021) – Part of the Sundown Riders series, delivering classic cowboy action.
- Hell Snake (2021) – Part of the Gunfighter series, concluding his contributions to the western imprint.
Confederation Reborn (Sci-Fi Series)
In addition to his space-westerns, Schaffer has written a traditional military science fiction series called Confederation Reborn. This series focuses on space battles, captain protocols, and intergalactic conflicts. It should be read in chronological order:
- Return Fire 1 (2014)
- Return Fire 2 (2014)
- Return Fire 3 (2014)
- A Brightly Flickering Flame (2015)
- The Voyages of Captain Kirn (2018)
Standalone Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children's Books
Schaffer's versatility extends to standalones, children's books, and professional law enforcement guides:
- Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes (2011) – A darker Sherlock pastiche detailing the detective's final battle against Jack the Ripper.
- Tiny Dragons – A fantasy series for younger readers, consisting of Sky Dragons (2013) and The Bear and Scepter (2015).
- Way of the Warrior (2011) – A non-fiction book about the psychology, philosophy, and reality of law enforcement. This book is widely used in police academies and criminal justice university programs.
- Basement Dogs (2023) – A modern thriller exploring gritty underworld themes.
What to Know Before You Start
When diving into Bernard Schaffer's bibliography, keep in mind his transition from independent self-publishing to traditional publishing. Early series like Superbia and Guns of Seneca 6 reflect his indie roots, while the Santero and Rein books showcase the polished editing of a major publisher (Kensington/Crooked Lane). His thrillers do not shy away from the graphic, psychological horror of serial crimes, making them highly compelling but potentially intense for sensitive readers.