Where to Start with Brian Wiprud
If you are new to Brian Wiprud’s eccentric, fast-paced world of humorous crime capers, your best entry point is Pipsqueak (2002), the debut novel of his celebrated Garth Carson series. This book introduces Wiprud's signature blend of bizarre subcultures, offbeat hobbies, and witty New York City-centric crime. Starting here allows you to experience the evolution of his style and the taxidermy-centric humor that won him the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery.
For readers who prefer wilderness adventures and cocktail recipes mixed with high-stakes international intrigue, starting with Linsenbigler (2017) is an excellent alternative. It kicks off a long-running, action-packed comedy-thriller series featuring fly-fisherman Boone Linsenbigler.
The Garth Carson Series & Spin-Offs
The Garth Carson series is Wiprud's most famous work, starring a taxidermy collector and dealer who operates in the quirky underbelly of New York City. The series should be read in publication order, as Garth's relationships and career evolve across the books.
- Pipsqueak (2002) – Garth Carson searches for a stuffed squirrel puppet from a 1950s children's television show, which plunges him into a zany conspiracy involving retro-rage cults.
- Stuffed (2005) – Garth and his girlfriend, Angie, search for a stolen white crow, taking readers deep into the illicit and competitive world of high-end taxidermy.
- Tailed (2007) – Garth is working as an insurance appraiser and becomes the prime suspect when big-game hunters start turning up dead, seemingly killed by their own stuffed animal mounts.
The Nicholas Palihnic Spin-Off
In 2006, Wiprud published Crooked, a spin-off novel starring Garth Carson's black-sheep brother, Nicholas Palihnic. Nicholas is a natty, tweed-suited hustler who gets hired by an insurance firm to find a stolen painting, only to get caught up in a chase for buried gold beneath the streets of Manhattan. While it works as a standalone crime caper, reading it after Stuffed provides context on the family background and the universe. The novel was nominated for both the Barry and Shamus Awards in 2007.
The Boone Linsenbigler Series & Companions
The Boone Linsenbigler series represents Wiprud's longest running series, following a cocktail-loving, fly-fishing protagonist who constantly finds himself in absurd, dangerous scenarios around the globe. Boone is a reluctant action hero and a pitchman for a global beverage corporation. The series has a strong linear progression and should be read in order of release:
- Linsenbigler (2017) – Introduces the character as he faces off against dangerous adversaries while trying to enjoy his fly fishing.
- Linsenbigler: The Bear (2017) – Continues Boone's zany adventures, adding more survival elements and bizarre humor.
- Hail Linsenbigler! (2018) – Boone is back in another high-stakes caper filled with eccentric characters and outdoor action.
- Linsenbigler & the Lost City (2019) – Boone embarks on an expedition to locate a hidden city, blending classic adventure tropes with comedy.
- Linsenbigler: The Argonaut (2020) – Boone navigates new nautical hazards and conspiracies.
- Linsenbigler: Damn the Torpedoes (2021) – Involves a treasure hunt publicity stunt in Australia that goes awry when a Russian plot emerges.
- Linsenbigler & the Sentients (2023) – Boone and his wife Gina head to Alaska, where they encounter autonomous AI military weapons.
Boone's Companion Books
In addition to the main novels, Wiprud has published two companion books written in the voice of the protagonist. These blend fictional lore with real-world advice:
- Linsenbigler Cocktail Companion (2018) – A guide containing over forty recipes for classic, tiki, and original drinks, along with bartender tips.
- Linsenbigler Angler's Companion – A practical, no-nonsense manual on fly fishing, mirroring Boone's favorite sport.
The Morty Martinez Series
Before writing the Linsenbigler books, Wiprud created a two-book mini-series starring Morty Martinez, a Brooklyn "feeler" whose unique profession involves cleaning out the homes of deceased or elderly people in search of hidden stashes of cash. This series consists of:
- Feelers (2009) – Morty finds a massive score of over $800,000 but must dodge an assassin and crooked cops to keep it.
- Ringer (2011) – Morty has relocated to Mexico but gets dragged into a caper involving a cursed ancient ring, a billionaire, and a spoiled stepdaughter who want each other dead.
Brian Wiprud’s Standalone Novels
Wiprud’s standalone novels showcase his range within the comedic crime and thriller genres. They can be read in any order:
- Sleep with the Fishes (2000) – Wiprud’s breakout caper novel about Sid "Sleep" Bifulco, a former mob hitman turned state's witness who tries to retire to a quiet life of fly fishing on the Delaware River, only for his past to catch up with him.
- Buy Back (2010) – Follows Tommy Davin, a Brooklyn insurance investigator who orchestrates an art heist to pay off a loan shark, only for the art to get stolen from him—leaving him to investigate his own heist.
- The Clause (2013) – A thriller starring Gill Underwood, a former naval intelligence officer and jewel thief who is framed by the Serbian mob and forced to use his survival skills on a remote island.
Co-Authored Non-Fiction & Anthology Work
Wiprud's very first published book was actually a non-fiction collaboration. Co-authored with Helen Hills, Making the Dawn Welcome: Essays on Everyday Possibilities (1999) is a collection of observational essays. Additionally, Wiprud contributed the short story "Granite Hat" to the fly-fishing mystery anthology Hook, Line & Sinister: Mysteries to Reel You In (2010), edited by T. Jefferson Parker.
Brian Wiprud Books in Publication Order
For readers who want to follow Wiprud's career chronologically as it unfolded, here is the complete list of his works by year of publication:
- Making the Dawn Welcome (1999) – Non-Fiction (with Helen Hills)
- Sleep with the Fishes (2000) – Standalone Novel
- Pipsqueak (2002) – Garth Carson Book 1
- Stuffed (2005) – Garth Carson Book 2
- Crooked (2006) – Nicholas Palihnic (Garth Carson Spin-off)
- Tailed (2007) – Garth Carson Book 3
- Feelers (2009) – Morty Martinez Book 1
- Buy Back (2010) – Standalone Novel
- Hook, Line & Sinister (2010) – Anthology Contribution ("Granite Hat")
- Ringer (2011) – Morty Martinez Book 2
- The Clause (2013) – Standalone Novel
- Linsenbigler (2017) – Linsenbigler Book 1
- Linsenbigler: The Bear (2017) – Linsenbigler Book 2
- Hail Linsenbigler! (2018) – Linsenbigler Book 3
- Linsenbigler Cocktail Companion (2018) – Linsenbigler Companion Guide
- Linsenbigler & the Lost City (2019) – Linsenbigler Book 4
- Linsenbigler: The Argonaut (2020) – Linsenbigler Book 5
- Linsenbigler: Damn the Torpedoes (2021) – Linsenbigler Book 6
- Linsenbigler & the Sentients (2023) – Linsenbigler Book 7