Bob Moats Books in Order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

Bob Moats has written over one hundred books, spanning several series that often cross paths. Because of these crossovers, the best way to dive into his books is through his flagship series, the Jim Richards Murder Mysteries. Jim Richards is a retired, reluctant Detroit detective whose investigations are filled with humor, romance, and Motor City action. Beginning here introduces you to the core of Moats' shared literary universe.

While you can read most of these books as standalone adventures, reading them in publication order allows you to follow the long-term relationships and character arcs, particularly the romance between Jim and Penny Wickens. You have two excellent choices for your starting point:

• Option A: The Chronological Prequel: Start with Marriage Can Be Murder. Though published as the 32nd book in the series, it is a prequel novella (numbered 0.5) that details the background of Jim Richards before he starts his private investigations.
• Option B: The Publication Order (Recommended): Start directly with The Classmate Murders (2009). This is the novel that launched Moats' writing career and establishes the central tone and character dynamics of the entire universe.

The Flagship Series: Jim Richards Murder Mysteries

The Jim Richards series is the anchor of Moats' fictional world. Below is the complete publication order for all 44 books in this extensive series:

1. The Classmate Murders (2009)
2. Vegas Showgirl Murders (2009)
3. Dominatrix Murders (2009)
4. Mistress Murders (2009)
5. Bridezilla Murders (2009)
6. Magic Murders (2009)
7. Strip Club Murders (2009)
8. Made-For-TV Murders (2009)
9. Mystery Cruise Murders (2010)
10. Talk Show Murders (2010)
11. Sin City Murders (2010)
12. Black Widow Murders (2010)
13. Vegas Vigilante Murders (2010)
14. Area 51 Murders (2010)
15. Mortuary Murders (2011)
16. Hypnotic Murders (2011)
17. Sunshine State Murders (2011)
18. Blue Suede Murders (2011)
19. Honky Tonk Murders (2011)
20. Dark Carnival Murders (2011)
21. Lipstick Murders (2012)
22. Pasta Murders (2012)
23. Talent Show Murders (2012)
24. Shyster Murders (2012)
25. Campground Murders (2012) (Crossover with the Fatal series)
26. Network Murders (2013)
27. Reunion Murders (2013)
28. Big Apple Murders (2013)
29. Kennel Murders (2013)
30. Trick or Treat Murders (2013)
31. Santa Murders (2013)
32. Marriage Can Be Murder (2013) (Chronological Book 0.5)
33. Wiseguy Murders (2014)
34. Toxic Murders (2014)
35. Private Eye Murders (2015) (Crossover with Doyle, Mackie, and Hawk)
36. Lonely Hearts Murders (2015)
37. Murder Vegas Style (2016)
38. Eulogy for Murder (2016)
39. Casino Murders (2017)
40. Mannequin Murders (2019)
41. RV Murders (2020)
42. Last Will Murders (2020)
43. Pandemic Murders (2020)
44. A Cold Case Murder (2021)

Understanding the Critical Crossovers

Bob Moats frequently connects his series through key crossover novels. If you plan to read his spin-offs, pay special attention to these two titles in the Jim Richards sequence:

The Fatal Series Connection

In Campground Murders (Book 25), Jim Richards travels to Brinnon, Washington, where he crosses paths with Sheriff Dave Chandler and Sarah Keller, the lead characters of the Fatal Series. If you want to read the Fatal series, it is ideal to read the first few Fatal books before reaching Book 25 of the Jim Richards series to fully appreciate the meeting.

The Private Investigator Union

In Private Eye Murders (Book 35), Bob Moats brings together three of his main detectives: Jim Richards, Arthur Doyle (from the Arthur Doyle, P.I. series), and Gus Mackie (from the Gus Mackie Detective Novella series). This book also serves as the introduction to Stoney Hawk, who later receives her own spin-off novellas.

The Crossover Series & Spin-offs

Once you are familiar with Jim Richards, you can explore the other corners of Moats' universe. Here is how the spin-off series are structured and their respective reading orders:

The Fatal Series

The Fatal series starts with the story of Derek Harcourt, a frustrated writer turned serial killer targeting editors, and Sarah Keller, the editor he targets. This is a darker crime thriller series compared to the main Jim Richards books.

1. Fatal Rejection (2011)
2. Fatal Departure (2011)
3. Fatal Romance (2012)
4. Fatal Outbreak (2012)
5. Fatal Abductions (2013)
6. Fatal Seance (2014)

Arthur Doyle, P.I. Books

Following private investigator Arthur Doyle, this series is best read before diving into the crossover novel Private Eye Murders.

1. Doyle's Law (2014)
2. Doyle's Justice (2014)
3. Doyle's Quest (2014)
4. Doyle's Paradise (2014)
5. Doyle's Haunting (2014)

Gus Mackie Detective Novella Books

These short, quick mystery novellas follow investigator Gus Mackie. Like the Arthur Doyle series, this is a great companion read before Private Eye Murders.

1. Gus Mackie and the Hot Tamale (2014)
2. Gus Mackie and the Missing Princess (2014)
3. Gus Mackie and the Weeping Wife (2014)
4. Gus Mackie and the Lost Heiress (2015)
5. Gus Mackie and the Rock Star (2015)

Stoney Hawk Novella Books

Introduced in Private Eye Murders, Stoney Hawk stars in a quick two-part series.

1. Stoney Hawk (2015)
2. Stoney Hawk 2 - Prom Night (2019)

Standalone and Paranormal Series

Moats has also written outside his main crime universe, dipping into paranormal investigator stories and smaller standalone mysteries:

Ghost Squad - Rest in Peace Books

This 10-book series adds a supernatural twist, featuring Detective Russ Baker and his ghostly crime-solving partner. It is a lighter, fast-paced series that should be read in order:

1. Ghost Squad (2016)
2. Ghost Squad 2 - Ghosts on the Loose (2016)
3. Ghost Squad 3 - Mary Had a Little Ghost (2016)
4. Ghost Squad 4 - Haunted Train Station (2016)
5. Ghost Squad 5 - Haunted Asylum (2016)
6. Ghost Squad 6 - Ghost Bride (2016)
7. Ghost Squad 7 - Death in the Family (2016)
8. Ghost Squad 8 - Ghost Writer (2016)
9. Ghost Squad 9 - Dressed to Haunt (2016)
10. Ghost Squad 10 - Trick or Death (2017)

Jake Wyler Mystery Books

A five-part mystery series centering on Jake Wyler, full of dark humor and grave-themed titles:

1. Six Feet Down (2017)
2. A Grave Situation (2017)
3. Grave Robbers (2017)
4. A Shallow Grave (2018)
5. A Grave Murder (2018)

Alexandria Books

A short mystery trilogy published in 2018:

1. Returning to Alexandria (2018)
2. Trouble in Alexandria (2018)
3. Death in a Country Diner (2018)

Detective Scott Murphy Books

This trilogy follows Detroit Detective Scott Murphy as he solves grisly crimes in the Motor City:

1. The Leviticus Murders (2015)
2. Last Call in Detroit (2015)
3. Seduction in Detroit (2015)

Dexter Nash Novella Books

A short suspense series focusing on Dexter Nash:

1. Our Dangerous Lies (2016)
2. The Hitman's Revenge (2017)