Where to Begin Your Craig A. Hart Reading Journey
If you are new to Craig A. Hart’s work, your best starting point depends on your preferred flavor of suspense. For fans of gritty, character-driven vigilante thrillers set in small-town America, the flagship starting point is Serenity, the first novel in the Shelby Alexander series. If you prefer historical mysteries with a noir touch, start with Night at Key West, which introduces private investigator Simon Wolfe solving a case alongside Ernest Hemingway.
The Shelby Alexander Thriller Series
This is Hart's most popular and longest-running series. It follows Shelby Alexander, an aging ex-boxer and retired Detroit "fixer" who moves to the small town of Serenity, Michigan, only to find that trouble has followed him there. To experience Shelby's personal growth, aging process, and the evolving relationships around him, it is highly recommended to read this series in strict publication order.
Beginning with Book 7, Serenity Reborn, the series is co-authored with S.J. Varengo, introducing fresh elements while maintaining the grit and humor fans love. Below is the recommended reading order:
- Serenity (2016)
- Serenity Stalked (2017)
- Serenity Avenged (2018)
- Serenity Submerged (2018)
- Serenity Engulfed (2018)
- Serenity Betrayed (2019)
- Serenity Reborn (2020)
- Serenity Possessed (2022)
- Serenity Hunted (2023)
- Serenity Trapped (2023) - Note: This is a short story in the series.
- Serenity Divided (2024)
The Maxwell Barnes Adventure Thriller Series
Co-authored with S.J. Varengo, this series shifts the focus to high-octane archaeological adventures and historical secrets. It follows Maxwell Barnes as he uncovers hidden relics and evades dangerous organizations. These books should be read in order of release to follow the overarching conspiracy storyline:
- Mayan Shadows (2022)
- Mayan Thunder (2022)
- Mayan Tempest (2023)
- Tibetan Secrets: The Origin Scroll (2023)
- Buried Danger (2023)
The SpyCo Thriller Series
For fans of globetrotting espionage, the SpyCo series delivers fast-paced missions. Co-authored primarily with S.J. Varengo (and featuring collaborations like Justin W. Price on Assignment: Alaska), this series follows tactical operations across the globe. Each installment works well as an independent mission, but reading them in publication order lets you enjoy the team's professional progression:
- Assignment: Athens (2017)
- Assignment: Paris (2017)
- Assignment: Istanbul (2017)
- Assignment: Sydney (2017)
- Assignment: Alaska (2017)
- Assignment: Dublin (2018)
- Assignment: London (2018)
A Simon Wolfe Mystery Series
Blending noir style with historical settings, this series stars private investigator Simon Wolfe. The first book features a unique cameo by legendary author Ernest Hemingway in 1930s Key West. The series includes:
- Night at Key West (2018)
- Loose Ends (2020)
Other Series and Co-Authored Projects
Beyond his main series, Hart has branched into fantasy, cozy mystery, and alternative thrillers:
- Amber Cross Series: Co-authored with David Berens, this thriller series begins with Her Lost Alibi (2021).
- Shadows of Taragam Series: Hart's foray into the fantasy genre starts with Rise of the Phantors (2021).
- Dash Boone Series: An adventure series co-authored with Nick Thacker (including titles like The Forbidden Isle) focusing on scientific mysteries in remote locations.
Standalone Novels, Short Stories, and Non-Fiction
If you want a break from serial narratives, Hart has published notable standalone fiction, collections, and guides for writers:
- Becoming Moon (2015) - An award-winning literary coming-of-age novel about a young writer.
- The Magician of Wrigley Street (2013) - Hart's mystery novel debut.
- A Stark and Stormy Night (2016) - A mystery-themed standalone.
- Pirateers: The Fountain of Youth (2024) - A lighthearted adventure novel.
- The Girl Who Read Hemingway (2015) - A collection of short fiction highlighting his Hemingway influence.
- The Son-in-Law (2018) - A standalone short story.
- Writer's Guides: Hart's non-fiction titles, such as The Writer's Tune-up Manual (2013) and The Busy Writer (2016), offer practical guidance for aspiring authors.