The Recommended Reading Order
If you are planning to dive into the historical noir of Chris Laing, the best path forward is straightforward. The author's work is divided into his main detective series and a standalone historical short story collection. For the novels, reading them in order of publication is highly recommended, as the personal lives, professional dynamics, and recurring criminal elements evolve sequentially across the books.
The Max Dexter Mystery Series in Order
The core of Chris Laing's literary work is his four-book detective saga set in late-1940s Hamilton. You should read them in the following order:
- A Private Man (2012)
- A Deadly Venture (2014)
- A Family Matter (2017)
- A Devious Dame (2019)
The Prequel / Companion Collection
- West End Kid: Tales from the Forties (2004)
While West End Kid was published before the Max Dexter series, it is a collection of semi-autobiographical coming-of-age short stories set during World War II rather than a traditional detective novel. It serves as an atmospheric companion piece that shows Hamilton through a child's eyes in the decade immediately preceding the Max Dexter novels.
The Max Dexter Series: Book-by-Book Breakdown
The Max Dexter series follows a disabled World War II veteran and former RCMP officer who returns to his industrial hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, to set up a private enquiry agency. Alongside his brilliant assistant (and eventual partner) Isabel O'Brien, Max navigates the complex web of post-war crime, local corruption, and lingering wartime trauma.
1. A Private Man (2012)
The series opens in the summer of 1947. Max Dexter, struggling with a severe leg injury from shrapnel that cut short his RCMP career, is trying to build a private investigation practice. To assist him, he hires Isabel "Iz" O'Brien, a smart and highly organized woman who quickly proves to be far more than just a typical secretary. Their first major investigation starts with a search for a missing person but quickly escalates into a dangerous case involving embezzlement, murder, and the recovery of art looted by Nazis. The book introduces the "Gore Park Irregulars," a group of disabled veteran friends who act as Max's network of informants. It was a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel in 2013.
2. A Deadly Venture (2014)
Set later in 1947, the second book hits close to home for Max when his artist friend, Roger Bruce, is arrested and held at the notorious Barton Street Jail for the murder of a wealthy client. Believing in his friend's innocence, Max and Isabel investigate the crime. They face heavy resistance not only from local law enforcement but also from organized crime figures who threaten them to drop the case. The novel won the 2015 Kerry Schooley Award from the Hamilton Arts Council for its rich depiction of local history and setting.
3. A Family Matter (2017)
The story moves to December 1947, framing a gritty Christmas mystery. Max is contacted by Bernie Fiore, a low-level mobster, who reveals that Max's estranged mother has returned to Hamilton after abandoning him over twenty years ago. Max is reluctant to reconnect, but when he finds her caught in the middle of a vicious internal power struggle within the local mafia, he is forced to intervene. Meanwhile, Max and Isabel must watch their backs as mob boss Dominic Tedesco seeks bloody retribution for their past interference.
4. A Devious Dame (2019)
Spring of 1948 has arrived, and Max and Isabel are hired to locate Ida Lucas, a high-class hostess at the Royal Connaught Hotel who disappeared suddenly, abandoning her young son. While arranging shelter for the boy, Max and Isabel also take on a lucrative divorce case involving a wealthy businessman and racehorse owner. The two cases begin to overlap, leading the detectives into the crosshairs of the city's dangerous new mob boss, Vincenzo Belcastro.
The Companion Collection: West End Kid (2004)
Before launching his detective series, Laing published West End Kid: Tales from the Forties. This collection contains nine short stories depicting childhood in wartime Hamilton. The stories are bittersweet and nostalgic, presenting a world where the global conflict is a constant backdrop to the typical adventures, troubles, and problem-solving of youth. It is highly recommended for readers who want to understand the cultural and geographical landscape that shaped Chris Laing and, by extension, the world of Max Dexter.
What to Know Before You Start
Chris Laing's books stand out for their exceptional historical realism. The author grew up in Hamilton during the 1930s and 1940s, and he incorporates real-life landmarks, historical events, and local culture. Readers will find mentions of the iconic Pigott Building, the Birks Clock, the Royal Connaught Hotel, and the Brant Inn. Laing also weaves in real historical events, such as the infamous Evelyn Dick murder trials, which dominated Canadian headlines in the late 1940s. The dialogue captures authentic period slang and post-war sensibilities, providing an immersive noir experience that feels true to its Canadian setting.