Beverly Connor Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Beverly Connor's Books

Beverly Connor offers mystery fans two highly authentic, meticulously researched series set in the American South. Because her career is defined by her background as a professional archaeologist, her thrillers blend scientific accuracy with gripping suspense. If you are new to her work, you have two primary entry points depending on your subgenre preference:

• For Fans of Archaeological Mystery: Start with the Lindsay Chamberlain series, beginning with A Rumor of Bones (1996). This series focuses on historical artifacts, field digs, and solving cold cases that stretch back centuries.
• For Fans of Crime Lab and Forensic Thrillers: Start with the Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation series, beginning with One Grave Too Many (2003). This series leans heavily into modern crime scene investigation, skeletal remains, and museum politics.

Both series can be read independently of each other. However, they exist within a shared universe that culminates in a major crossover event. For the absolute best reading experience, we recommend starting with the five Lindsay Chamberlain books before moving on to the Diane Fallon series.

Lindsay Chamberlain Archaeology Mystery Series

In her debut series, Connor introduces Lindsay Chamberlain, a forensic archaeologist who works on excavations in Georgia and surrounding states. Unlike typical detectives, Lindsay uses her expertise in stratigraphy, bone analysis, and historical records to solve both ancient mysteries and modern-day murders that occur on or near her dig sites. Because of Connor's real-world experience, the archaeological details are incredibly rich and realistic.

Lindsay Chamberlain Books in Publication and Chronological Order

The Lindsay Chamberlain series follows a straightforward chronological line. To appreciate the development of Lindsay's academic career and personal relationships, you should read them in this order:

1. A Rumor of Bones (1996): Lindsay is hired to excavate a site in Georgia, only to uncover the skeleton of a recently murdered child buried alongside prehistoric Native American remains.
2. Questionable Remains (1997): While analyzing a strange skeleton found in a woodland cave, Lindsay is drawn into a web of local secrets, family feuds, and modern-day greed.
3. Dressed to Die (1998): A skeleton dressed in late-18th-century clothing is discovered on a historic plantation, forcing Lindsay to decipher history to catch a contemporary killer.
4. Skeleton Crew (1999): Lindsay joins an underwater excavation of a 16th-century Spanish galleon off the coast of Georgia, where she must dive into deep water and deep corruption.
5. Airtight Case (2000): Lindsay investigates a sealed room in a historic mansion containing a corpse, leading to a complex puzzle of historical wealth and modern malice.

Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation Series

Following the conclusion of her first series, Connor introduced Diane Fallon. Diane is a forensic anthropologist who left field work behind after a personal tragedy, choosing instead to run the Georgia Museum of Archaeology and Natural History. However, her expertise in skeletal remains keeps drawing her back to local crime scenes, eventually leading her to establish and run a specialized forensic investigation unit.

Diane Fallon Books in Publication and Chronological Order

The Diane Fallon books feature significant character development, evolving museum politics, and recurring side characters. It is highly recommended to read them in the order of their release:

1. One Grave Too Many (2003): Diane is reluctantly pulled back into forensics when a body is discovered in a local cave, forcing her to confront her past.
2. Dead Guilty (2004): Diane agrees to help the local police force investigate a series of bizarre murders, while navigating the complex politics of her museum.
3. Dead Secret (2005): When a local caver goes missing, Diane's search reveals a hidden chamber filled with both ancient artifacts and a freshly murdered body.
4. Dead Past (2007): The discovery of old bones beneath a historic building opens a cold case that some powerful locals would prefer remained buried.
5. Dead Hunt (2008): Diane is hired to find a missing forensic sculptor, leading her into the rugged wilderness where a killer is hunting human prey.
6. Scattered Graves (2009): A devastating tornado unearths a shallow grave, launching Diane into a complex investigation involving a wealthy, influential family.
7. Dust to Dust (2009): Diane investigates a suspicious fire at a local lab, discovering that the victim was murdered before the flames were set.
8. The Night Killer (2010): A series of bizarre home invasions and murders targeting prominent citizens forces Diane to search for a highly organized killer.
9. One Grave Less (2010): The dramatic finale of the series, where Diane must solve a historic crime while her own life and museum are put in extreme jeopardy.

The Chamberlain and Fallon Crossover Event

A major highlight for Beverly Connor's readers is the series crossover in One Grave Less (2010). In this final Diane Fallon novel, Lindsay Chamberlain makes a prominent appearance. The narrative alternates perspectives between Diane and Lindsay, bringing the two protagonists together to solve a complex puzzle. To fully appreciate this crossover, fans should make sure they have read all five Lindsay Chamberlain books before reaching this point in the Diane Fallon series.

Standalones and Co-Authored Novels

Beverly Connor has also written mystery fiction in collaboration with her husband, Charles Connor. These books offer a slightly different pace and focus:

• Murder in Macon (2013): The first book in the Frank Hayes Mystery series. Set in 1970s Georgia, it follows detective Frank Hayes as he investigates a murder that exposes deep-rooted corruption in a southern town.
• The Poplar Creek Murders (2015): A standalone mystery that follows a complex double homicide investigation in a small, close-knit rural community.

What to Know Before You Start

Beverly Connor's novels are often compared to the work of Kathy Reichs (creator of the Temperance Brennan series) and Patricia Cornwell (creator of the Kay Scarpetta series). What sets Connor apart is her deep familiarity with the Southern landscape and her academic credentials. Connor earned B.A., B.S., and M.A. degrees in archaeology from the University of Georgia and spent years performing professional fieldwork in Georgia and South Carolina. This expertise shines through in every description of bone preservation, soil stratigraphy, and artifact extraction, making her books a must-read for fans of authentic procedural thrillers.