Cathi Stoler Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Cathi Stoler

If you are looking for fast-paced urban suspense, sharp dialogue, and settings that range from gritty Manhattan streets to glamorous international casinos, Cathi Stoler is an author you need on your bookshelf. But with three distinct series and a wealth of short fiction, how should you dive in?

The best entry point depends entirely on what flavor of mystery you prefer:

• For Cozy-Gritty Amateur Sleuths: Start with the Murder on the Rocks series, beginning with Bar None. This is Stoler’s most popular and acclaimed contemporary series, centering on a Manhattan East Village bar owner who keeps getting tangled in murder.
• For High-Stakes Thrills and Globetrotting: Start with the Nick Donahue Adventures, beginning with the novella Nick of Time. It features a professional blackjack player in Venice, Prague, and beyond, reading like a modern, crime-heavy adventure.
• For Classic PI and Editorial Crime Solving: Start with the Laurel and Helen New York Mystery series, beginning with Telling Lies. This series pairs an editor with a private investigator to solve crimes involving art fraud and identity theft.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Unlike some sprawling thriller universes, Cathi Stoler writes her series in a linear fashion. There are no prequels or complex timeline jumps to navigate. As a result, publication order is chronological order across all of her work. Reading the books in the order they were published is highly recommended, as it allows you to watch character relationships evolve naturally and follow overarching subplots without spoilers.

Murder on the Rocks Series

Stoler's most popular series centers on Jude Dillane, the co-owner of the Corner Lounge in New York's East Village. Jude is a sharp, practical protagonist who wants nothing more than to run her bar, but her keen eye for detail and local connections constantly draw her into amateur detective work. The books blend the warm, community atmosphere of a neighborhood pub with the darker, sharper edge of urban suspense.

To fully appreciate the recurring cast of characters, including Jude's business partners and local detectives, you should read this series in order:

1. Bar None (2018) – Jude investigates the murder of a regular customer, leading her into the dark underbelly of charity fraud.
2. Last Call (2020) – A serial killer targeting East Village bartenders forces Jude to step up and hunt the killer before she becomes the next victim.
3. Straight Up (2021) – Jude gets caught up in a deadly real estate scam and art fraud after a local developer is murdered.
4. With a Twist (2023) – Jude's past comes back to haunt her when a cold case resurfaces, threatening the safety of everyone she holds dear.

The Nick Donahue Adventures

For readers who prefer a male protagonist and international, high-stakes suspense, this series delivers a faster, action-oriented pace. Nick Donahue is a professional blackjack player whose life is a blur of casinos, high rollers, and dangerous deals. Instead of standard police work, these thrillers focus on white-collar crime, jewel heists, and money laundering in exotic locations.

To follow Nick’s journey from a gambler to a reluctant adventurer, follow this reading order:

1. Nick of Time (2013) – A novella that introduces Nick as he gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy in Venice.
2. Out of Time (2019) – Nick travels to Prague to rescue a friend and recover stolen diamonds, putting his card-counting skills to the test.
3. No Good Time (2025) – Nick returns for his most dangerous game yet, navigating the high-stakes gambling rings of Las Vegas and international syndicates.

Laurel and Helen New York Mystery Series

This was Cathi Stoler's debut series. It follows Laurel Imperiole, a New York magazine editor, and Helen McCorkendale, a tough-as-nails private investigator. Together, they form an unlikely crime-solving duo, uncovering conspiracies, identity theft, and high-end art fraud that stretches from the galleries of Manhattan to the historical streets of Florence.

The official publication order is:

1. Telling Lies (2011) – Laurel and Helen are thrown together when Laurel's brother goes missing and she uncovers a web of forgery and murder.
2. Keeping Secrets (2013) – The duo investigates a black-market antiquities ring and a murder in the high-stakes art world.
3. The Hard Way (2014) – Laurel and Helen face their most personal case yet when a young woman's disappearance reveals a deadly conspiracy.

Short Stories, Collections, and Anthologies

Cathi Stoler is also an accomplished short story writer, having won the prestigious Derringer Award in 2015. If you want to sample her shorter, punchier crime fiction, here is what you need to know:

• Bad Things Happen (2016) – This is Stoler’s standalone collection of six short stories. It is a fantastic showcase of her range, featuring stories of murder, betrayal, and dark humor.
• The Kaluki Kings of Queens (2015) – First published in the anthology Murder New York Style: Family Matters, this award-winning story is a must-read for fans of classic, character-driven mystery.
• Other Anthology Contributions: Stoler has contributed stories to several notable anthologies, including The Malfeasance Occasional (2013), Masthead: Best New England Crime Stories (2020) where her story "Blue Glass" appeared, and Justice for All: Murder New York Style (2021).

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Cathi Stoler’s world, keep a few things in mind. First, her depiction of New York City is incredibly authentic. As a long-time resident of Manhattan, Stoler uses real-world East Village bars, neighborhoods, and galleries, making the setting feel like a living, breathing character. Second, her books straddle the line between cozy mysteries and grit-heavy thrillers. While the Murder on the Rocks books feature a bar owner, they deal with serial killers and real danger, offering a perfect middle ground for fans of both subgenres.