How to Read Chris Goff's Books
If you are new to the work of Chris Goff (who also publishes as Christine Goff), you will find two distinct reading paths. Depending on your mood, you can choose between a charming, nature-infused cozy mystery series or a high-stakes, fast-paced international espionage thriller. Both series highlight strong female protagonists and show off the author's talent for detailed, well-researched backdrops.
Here is how to navigate her bibliography, starting with the recommended path for each series, followed by detailed guides for both universes.
The Birdwatcher’s Mystery Series
This is Goff's signature cozy mystery series. Set in the fictional mountain town of Elk Park, Colorado, and various scenic locales, the series blends traditional amateur-sleuth whodunits with real-world environmental issues, wildlife preservation, and ecological themes. The series features a recurring cast of bird-loving characters, with Rachel Stanhope frequently taking center stage.
Recommended Starting Point
For the Birdwatcher's Mysteries, we strongly recommend reading in publication order. While each mystery is resolved within its respective book, the personal lives, romantic interests, and relationships of the recurring characters in Elk Park evolve continuously from one novel to the next.
Birdwatcher’s Mystery Books in Order
- A Rant of Ravens (2000): The series opener introduces Rachel Stanhope, who travels to Colorado to stay with her aunt after a difficult divorce. Instead of finding peace, she gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy involving the illegal falcon trade and local birders. This book sets the tone for the series, balancing local charm with serious environmental crimes.
- Death of a Songbird (2001): This installment focuses on Angela Dimwittie, the owner of a local wild bird store. When her business partner is murdered, Angela becomes the prime suspect. The story delves into the business of birding and local community dynamics.
- A Nest in the Ashes (2002): Set against the terrifying backdrop of a raging forest fire in Rocky Mountain National Park. As park rangers and volunteers fight the blaze, a body is discovered, leading to a complex investigation where fire is used as a weapon to cover up a murder.
- Death Takes a Gander (2004): When geese at a local reservoir are found poisoned, the investigation reveals a far more sinister plot. The narrative explores environmental activism, water rights, and local political corruption.
- A Sacrifice of Buntings (2007): Also published under the title Death Shoots a Birdie. The plot revolves around a controversial golf course development project that threatens the habitat of the Indigo Bunting. When a murder occurs on the green, the clash between development and preservation turns deadly.
- A Parliament of Owls (2015): Rachel Stanhope returns to center stage in this mystery set at a raptor rehabilitation center. The story touches on biological research, missing scientists, and the protective nature of owls. It serves as a satisfying continuation after a multi-year gap in the series.
The Raisa Jordan Thriller Series
In 2015, Goff shifted gears to write high-stakes international thrillers under the name Chris Goff. These books follow Raisa "Rae" Jordan, a tenacious agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The tone here is a complete departure from the cozy mysteries, offering globetrotting espionage, geopolitical tension, and action-packed plots reminiscent of classic thriller novels.
Recommended Starting Point
The Raisa Jordan books must be read in chronological / publication order, as the character development and geopolitical plotlines carry over directly from the first book to the second.
Raisa Jordan Books in Order
- Dark Waters (2015): Rae Jordan is assigned to Tel Aviv, Israel, to work what should be a routine assignment. However, she is quickly thrown into a complex web of conspiracy when a colleague is targeted. The book explores Middle Eastern politics, security breaches, and environmental vulnerabilities.
- Red Sky (2017): Following the events of the first book, Rae Jordan finds herself in Ukraine and traveling across Asia. She is tasked with stopping a cyber-terrorist plot targeting energy infrastructure, trying to prevent a modern Cold War from turning hot.
Short Story Collections
Aside from her two main series, Goff has published shorter fiction. In 2020, she released The Land of Dreams (2020), a curated collection of her short stories. These stories showcase her versatility across genres and provide quick, engaging mysteries for readers.
What to Know Before You Start
If you are planning to dive into Chris Goff's work, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your reading experience:
- Standalone vs. Series Reading: You can read the Birdwatcher’s Mysteries out of order if you only care about the standalone mystery plots, as the ecological crimes are resolved by the end of each book. However, we highly advise starting with A Rant of Ravens to fully appreciate the character arcs. The Raisa Jordan thrillers should absolutely be read in order starting with Dark Waters.
- Tone Differences: Do not expect the cozy, community-oriented warmth of the Birdwatcher's Mysteries when you open the Raisa Jordan books. The thrillers are intense, geopolitical, and feature action-oriented law enforcement procedures rather than amateur sleuthing.
- Title Variations: If you are hunting for physical copies of her books, keep in mind that A Sacrifice of Buntings is identical to Death Shoots a Birdie. Make sure you do not accidentally purchase the same book twice under different titles.