The Recommended Reading Order
Bruce DeSilva’s reputation as a master of modern crime fiction rests on his award-winning Liam Mulligan series. To fully appreciate the character progression, the shifting landscape of Providence journalism, and the recurring relationships, you should read these novels in their original publication order. The main timeline moves forward chronologically, tracking Mulligan’s transition from an old-school print reporter to a freelance investigator working on both sides of the law.
Liam Mulligan Series in Publication Order
- Rogue Island (2010): The series debut introduces Liam Mulligan as he hunts down a serial arsonist who is torching his childhood neighborhood. As Providence burns, Mulligan also struggles with the corporate downsizing of his beloved newspaper.
- Cliff Walk (2012): In this dark installment, Mulligan investigates the legalized prostitution rings operating in Rhode Island. The case leads him to a gruesome pig farm, corrupt state legislators, and a deadly conspiracy.
- Providence Rag (2014): Inspired by real-life 1980s serial killer cases in Rhode Island, this novel centers on the moral and journalistic dilemma Mulligan faces when he discovers a loophole that could set a notorious murderer free.
- A Scourge of Vipers (2015): When Rhode Island’s governor proposes legalizing sports betting to plug a budget deficit, she inadvertently triggers a flood of dirty lobbyist money, organized crime interference, and political assassination. Mulligan goes rogue to expose the corruption.
- The Dread Line (2016): Having lost his job at the newspaper, Mulligan works as a part-time investigator. He is hired by the New England Patriots to vet a promising college draft pick, only to find that someone is willing to kill to keep the player's secrets buried.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the Liam Mulligan novels, chronological order aligns directly with publication order. There are no prequel novels, meaning the events in Mulligan’s life unfold consecutively from 2010 through 2016. However, there are minor timeline nuances to keep in mind:
- Historical Flashbacks: While the primary action of Providence Rag takes place in the present, a significant portion of the plot depends on a historical murder case dating back to the 1980s. This historical context is vital to the story's ethical conflict.
- Short Stories and Anthologies: DeSilva has contributed individual short stories to several noir anthologies. These stories take place in the same universe but function as self-contained snapshots rather than major plot points in the main continuity.
Bruce DeSilva's Anthologies & Short Stories
In addition to his full-length novels, Bruce DeSilva has written shorter crime fiction pieces for various themed anthologies. While not required to understand the main Liam Mulligan books, they offer excellent extra reading for fans of his gritty style.
Staten Island Noir (2012)
Edited by Patricia Smith, this collection of dark tales features DeSilva’s short story "Abating a Nuisance." It explores the noir landscape of New York's least-discussed borough, blending sharp humor with hard-boiled crime.
Providence Noir (2015)
Edited by Ann Hood, this anthology is a love letter to the dark corners of Rhode Island. DeSilva contributed the story "All in the Family," further showcasing his intimate, newsroom-honed knowledge of Providence's local quirks and corrupt institutions.
Down to the River (2019)
Edited by Tim O'Mara, this anthology contains crime stories built around American rivers. DeSilva co-wrote the short story "Blue Song, Edged in Woe" with his wife, the acclaimed poet Patricia Smith. The story highlights their shared talent for sharp prose and dark themes.
Practical Reading Advice
Can these books be read as standalones?
Yes. Each novel features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page. However, you will miss out on the rich, overarching character development if you skip around. Mulligan's relationship with his colleagues, his shifting fortunes in the dying newspaper industry, and his personal growth are best experienced from the very beginning in Rogue Island.
What to know before you start
DeSilva spent forty years as an investigative journalist, and that experience shines through on every page. The Liam Mulligan series acts as a loving, cynical elegy for traditional print newspapers. It features authentic newsroom politics, realistic investigative methods, and a colorful cast of recurring side characters, such as Mulligan's boss "Thanks-Dad" and the iron-fisted Attorney General known as "Attila the Nun."