Where to Start Reading Boo Walker
If you are new to Boo Walker’s emotionally rich, character-driven fiction, you have two primary entry points depending on your preference for series or standalone reads:
- For Series Lovers: Begin with Red Mountain (2016), the first book in his signature wine-country saga. It introduces you to the core community of Red Mountain and its colorful residents.
- For Standalone Readers: Start with The Singing Trees (2021), a highly acclaimed, deeply emotional story of an artist finding her path through love, loss, and self-discovery.
The Red Mountain Chronicles
The Red Mountain Chronicles is Walker's most famous work, set in the picturesque vineyards of eastern Washington. The books focus on a rotating cast of eccentric locals, including Otis Till (the "Grapefather" of the mountain), Margot Pierce, Brooks Baker, and Emilia Forester. While you can read these books in publication order, Walker later wrote prequels that fill in the history of the characters.
Chronological Reading Order
If you want to read the events of Red Mountain as they happened in the characters' lives, follow this sequence:
- Before We Say Goodbye (2025) – A full-length prequel novel that goes back to Woodstock in 1969 to reveal the origin story of Otis Till and his wife Rebecca.
- A Marriage Well Done (2019) – A prequel novella (Book 0.5) exploring the early relationship struggles and winemaking dreams of the characters.
- Red Mountain (2016) – Book 1, which introduces the core community and Otis Till's role as a winemaker.
- Red Mountain Rising (2018) – Book 2, focusing on community resilience and overcoming hardships.
- Red Mountain Burning (2020) – Book 3, exploring deeper tensions and emotional resolutions on the mountain.
Publication Order
Many readers prefer reading the series in the order they were written. This is the safest way to avoid spoilers and watch Walker's storytelling style evolve:
- Red Mountain (2016)
- Red Mountain Rising (2018)
- A Marriage Well Done (2019)
- Red Mountain Burning (2020)
- Before We Say Goodbye (2025)
Boo Walker’s Standalone Novels
Outside of his grapevines, Boo Walker has written several highly praised standalone contemporary fiction novels. Each of these can be read independently and in any order:
- An Unfinished Story (2020): A touching story of healing, focusing on a writer finding a path forward after tragedy.
- The Singing Trees (2021): A coming-of-age journey of a young artist navigating the sacrifices required for her art and love.
- A Spanish Sunrise (2022): A heartfelt family drama set against the beautiful backdrop of Valencia, Spain.
- The Stars Don't Lie (2023): The story of Dr. Carver Livingstone, a veterinarian forced to return to Vermont and confront his past.
- An Echo in Time (2024): A story blending generational trauma, family constellation therapy, and a search for truth in England.
The Benjamin Blackmore Thrillers
Before achieving major success under his own name, Boo Walker wrote grittier suspense thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. These books have since been re-listed under his real name but represent a departure from his usual heartwarming book club fiction:
- Turn or Burn (2014)
- Lowcountry Punch (2014)
- Off You Go (2014, Novella)
What to Know Before You Start
Boo Walker's background heavily influences his writing. A former Nashville banjo player whose music career ended due to a hand injury, he turned to winemaking in Washington State before discovering his true passion for storytelling. His deep appreciation for music, nature, wine, and human resilience shines through his vivid settings and empathetic character development. His standalone novels are highly recommended for book clubs due to their focus on forgiveness and personal transformation.