The Best Starting Point for Carol Potenza’s Novels
For readers new to Carol Potenza, the absolute best place to start is Hearts of the Missing, the first book in her flagship Nicky Matthews series. This award-winning novel perfectly showcases Potenza's unique "BiocheMystery" subgenre—a term she coined to describe the blending of hard laboratory science, forensic investigation, and supernatural elements. If you are a fan of speculative science fiction and prehistoric animals, you could alternatively start with Unmasked, the debut of her De-Extinct Zoo Mystery series.
Because her series are set in entirely different worlds, you can read the series in any order. However, within each series, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order to keep track of character development, evolving relationships, and overarching plots.
1. Nicky Matthews Mystery Series
This series stars Sergeant Nicky Matthews, a non-Native police officer working on a fictional Keres-speaking Pueblo in New Mexico. The books are celebrated for their meticulous research and respect for Native American culture, aided by procedures inspired by Potenza's sister-in-law, a real-life Pueblo police officer. The books blend biochemistry and genetics with traditional Pueblo lore.
The recommended reading order for the Nicky Matthews series is:
- Hearts of the Missing (2018) – Nicky Matthews investigates the suspicious suicide of a young Pueblo woman, uncovering a conspiracy involving genetic research and tribal secrets. This novel won the 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize.
- The Third Warrior (2021) – Nicky is called to a hazardous waste site where bioremediation efforts, corporate cover-ups, and a desert killer collide.
- Spirit Daughters (2022) – The winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award, this mystery plunges Nicky into a bizarre case involving parthenogenesis and ancient Pueblo legends.
- Sacred Ghosts (Upcoming) – Sergeant Matthews returns to investigate the theft of the Sacred Dances of the Fire-Sky People, featuring a subplot about pre-Columbian dog genetics. Although it remains unpublished as of mid-2026, it was recognized as a finalist for the 2026 Claymore Award.
2. De-Extinct Zoo Mystery Series
If you like your crime fiction with a dose of sci-fi megafauna, this series takes place at the Pleistocene BioPark, a specialized zoo and preserve for genetically engineered and resurrected Ice Age animals. The series follows Milly Smith, a dedicated veterinarian trained in Siberia, who must defend her ancient patients while solving murders where these animals are often framed or used as weapons.
The recommended reading order for the De-Extinct Zoo Mystery series is:
- Unmasked (2023) – When a colleague dies during routine surgery on a resurrected giant short-faced bear, Milly must identify the real killer to save the bear from being euthanized.
- Signs (2023) – This installment focuses on resurrected Gigantopithecus blacki (giant prehistoric apes) that communicate through American Sign Language, drawing Milly into a high-stakes corporate conspiracy.
- Ambushed (2024) – Prehistoric crocodilians called Quinkanas are unleashed in the service tunnels beneath the park, forcing Milly to confront a returning assassin.
3. The Lies Mystery Series
This series moves the science to paleontology and toxicology. It features Myrna P. Lee, an Ice Age paleontologist and poisons expert who finds herself solving crimes in New Mexico. The series blends romantic suspense with heavy scientific detail regarding natural toxins and local historical mysteries.
The recommended reading order for the Lies series is:
- Sting of Lies (2023) – Myrna is pulled into an investigation involving a fatal poisoning, a legendary buried treasure, and a local investigator. The book was a finalist for the 2024 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award.
- Echo of Lies (2026) – Released in February 2026, this sequel finds Myrna tackling a new mystery involving environmental contaminants and dangerous local secrets.
Nonfiction Writing Guides
For writers looking to learn from Potenza's transition from academic biochemistry to mystery writing, she has published a structural guide:
- Demystifying the Beats: How to Write a KILLER Book (2023) – A step-by-step writing guide designed to help novelists structure their pacing and beats to build tension.