Clayton Lindemuth Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Clayton Lindemuth

For readers new to Clayton Lindemuth's raw and atmospheric storytelling, the absolute best entry point is My Brother's Destroyer. Published in 2013, this novel introduces Baer Creighton, Lindemuth's most iconic character, and perfectly establishes the author's signature blend of dark humor, small-town corruption, and violent justice. If you prefer a historical setting, you can start with the historical noir novel Nothing Save the Bones Inside Her, which kicks off the Angus Hardgrave duology. For a pure, standalone experience, his debut novel, Cold Quiet Country, provides a chilly, high-stakes introduction to his style.

The Baer Creighton Series

The Baer Creighton books form Clayton Lindemuth's most famous and beloved series. Baer is a moonshine distiller living in the rural American South who possesses a supernatural, highly inconvenient gift: he can instantly tell when someone is lying. Alongside his faithful dog, Fred, Baer constantly finds himself target by corrupt officials, vicious criminals, and his own internal demons. The books are best read in order of publication to follow Baer's ongoing struggle for redemption and peace.

1. My Brother's Destroyer (2013)
2. The Mundane Work of Vengeance (2018)
3. Pretty Like an Ugly Girl (2018)
4. The Outlaw Stinky Joe (2019)
5. Blunt Force Kindness (2020)
6. The Men I Sent Forward (2020)
7. Destroyer (2021)
8. Integrity (2022)

The Shirley F'N Lyle Series

If you want fast-paced, high-octane thrillers with a fierce heroine, the Shirley F'N Lyle series (sometimes referred to as Lindemuth's "chick grit lit") is an absolute blast. The story follows Shirley Lyle, a woman pushed to her absolute limit who resorts to explosive tactics and absolute resolve to protect her loved ones and exact revenge against local drug lords and international mobs.

1. Viva the Revolution! / Shirley F'N Lyle (2019)
2. One at a Time, Boys (2019)
3. Totally Sunshine and Love (2021)

The Angus Hardgrave Series

Set in the early 20th century, this duology is a historical family saga that digs into generational curses, rural violence, and dark secrets in 1917 Pennsylvania. It offers a slightly different flavor of historical noir while maintaining the author's trademark intensity.

1. Nothing Save the Bones Inside Her (2013)
2. Sometimes Bone (2017)

Standalone Novels

Lindemuth has written several standalones that feature unique protagonists dealing with extreme physical, mental, or political challenges. These require no prior knowledge of his other series and can be picked up at any time.

• Cold Quiet Country (2012) – Set during a 1970s Wyoming blizzard, this debut follows a corrupt sheriff chasing an innocent man on his final day of work.
• Tread (2014) – Follows Nat Cinder as he runs from an FBI sting and gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy involving political blackmail.
• Solomon Bull (2017) – A unique "Indian noir" thriller following a Blackfoot day-trader and ultra-runner caught in a conspiracy surrounding a desert marathon.
• Strong at the Broken Places (2018) – Follows Nick Fister during the grueling Badwater 135 ultramarathon as he confronts the ghosts of his tragic past.
• Integrity (2022) – Although featuring the characters Frank and Linc Buzzard, this novel is cataloged as both a standalone thriller and the eighth installment of the Baer Creighton series.

Reading Order Caveats and Overlaps

While Lindemuth's series are mostly independent of one another in terms of direct plot crossovers, they are unified by the same atmospheric grit and thematic tone. The most notable overlap is Integrity (2022). Some retail databases classify it as a standalone novel because it focuses heavily on Linc Buzzard and his abusive father, Frank. However, the author and series fans consider it Book 8 in the Baer Creighton saga due to its thematic elements and shared world. For the best experience, we recommend reading it after Destroyer.