Where to Start with Brad Smith
Brad Smith's novels are renowned for their sharp Elmore Leonard-esque dialogue, gritty small-town atmospheres, and dry, sardonic humor. Because his work spans across distinct series, historical westerns, and standalone thrillers, the best entry point depends on what genre you prefer:
- For Crime and Country Noir: Start with Red Means Run (2012). This book introduces Virgil Cain, a laconic farmer and ex-athlete in upstate New York who gets dragged into solving crimes. It is fast-paced, funny, and perfectly introduces Smith's signature style.
- For Classic Westerns: Start with The Return of Kid Cooper (2018). This standalone historical western won the 2019 Spur Award and offers a poignant, atmospheric story of redemption and modernization in 1910 Montana.
- For Satirical Capers: Start with All Hat (2003) or Cactus Jack (2020), both of which dive into the rough-and-tumble world of horse racing, showing off Smith's talent for assembling a cast of lovable misfits.
Virgil Cain Mysteries Reading Order
The Virgil Cain series is set in upstate New York and follows a retired baseball player turned small-time farmer who repeatedly finds himself caught in local crimes. These books should be read in order of publication to follow the development of Virgil's relationship with State Trooper Claire Marchand:
- Red Means Run (2012) - Virgil becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a corrupt attorney and goes on the run to clear his name.
- Crow's Landing (2012) - Virgil fishes a steel cylinder full of pure cocaine out of the Hudson River, making him the target of a corrupt officer, drug dealers, and a "Russian cowboy."
- Shoot the Dog (2013) - Virgil is hired to provide horses for a chaotic film shoot, only to get embroiled in a murder investigation when the movie's leading lady is found dead.
Carl Burns Thrillers Reading Order
The Carl Burns series focuses on a former convict who returns to his hometown of Rose City, only to find himself dealing with deep-rooted systemic corruption and danger. These books feature a darker, more vigilante-focused "country noir" tone:
- Rough Justice (2016) - Carl returns from prison to protect his estranged daughter, who is testifying against a corrupt former mayor accused of rape.
- Hearts of Stone (2017/2018) - Carl's attempt to settle down for a quiet farming life with his partner, Frances, is shattered when a local gang targets them.
Brad Smith's Standalone Novels
For readers who want self-contained stories, Brad Smith has written several acclaimed standalones spanning different eras and settings. They can be read in any order:
- One-Eyed Jacks (2000) - A gritty crime thriller set in 1959 Ontario following a retired boxer trying to save his family farm in Toronto's seedy underbelly. A Dashiell Hammett Prize finalist.
- All Hat (2003) - A rural tale of horse racing, revenge, and small-town dynamics in Ontario, adapted into a feature film in 2007.
- Busted Flush (2005) - A humorous caper about a carpenter who inherits a Gettysburg farmhouse and finds a potentially priceless Civil War relic.
- Big Man Coming Down the Road (2007) - A modern, satirical take on King Lear involving an industrialist's eccentric children fighting over their inheritance in Ontario, Wyoming, and Tennessee.
- The Return of Kid Cooper (2018) - A Spur Award-winning western about Nate Cooper, a cowboy released from prison in 1910 who struggles to adjust to the modern world while defending his Blackfoot friends.
- The Goliath Run (2020) - A dark thriller tracking an organic farmer who takes matters into her own hands after a school shooting and kidnaps the daughter of a demagogic media pundit.
- Cactus Jack (2020) - A high-stakes horse racing drama following an estranged daughter who inherits a debt-ridden Kentucky farm and a prize colt.
- Copperhead Road (2022) - A historical crime novel set in 1930s Appalachia, focusing on the Flagg family of moonshiners during the Great Depression.
What to Know Before You Start
Brad Smith's writing is highly cinematic and character-focused. He excels at writing characters who make the wrong choices for the right reasons. His series books (Virgil Cain and Carl Burns) are best read in chronological order, as the personal relationships and recurring characters evolve over time. However, the mystery plots in each book are self-contained, meaning you won't be left with unresolved cliffhangers if you read them out of order. His standalone novels range from lighthearted, satirical capers like Busted Flush to grim, issue-driven suspense like The Goliath Run, demonstrating a versatile range that appeals to fans of both crime fiction and traditional westerns.