Where to Start Reading Dani Amore
Dani Amore is the retired pen name of international bestselling author Dan Ames. Under the Amore pseudonym, the author crafted hard-boiled mysteries, intense serial killer thrillers, and character-driven Westerns. Because Amore's books span very distinct genres, the best starting point depends on what kind of story you enjoy:
- For Sarcastic PI Mystery: Start with Death by Sarcasm, the first book in the Mary Cooper series, featuring a sharp-tongued Los Angeles private investigator.
- For Gritty Crime Thrillers: Start with Dead Wood, the introduction to the Michigan-based John Rockne series.
- For High-Concept Thrillers: Start with The Killing League, the opening novel of the Wallace Mack FBI profiler series.
- For Classic Western Adventure: Start with The Circuit Rider, which follows an unlikely duo on the frontier.
The Mary Cooper Mystery Series
The Mary Cooper series is one of Dani Amore's most popular creations, centering on a sarcastic, tough-as-nails female private investigator operating in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Equipped with a biting wit and a .45, Mary Cooper tackles complex cases while keeping readers entertained with dark humor. The series is best read in publication order:
- Death by Sarcasm (2011)
- Murder with Sarcastic Intent (2014)
- Gross Sarcastic Homicide (2014)
Note: The first three books were also released in a box set titled Total Sarcasm. In 2016, Mary Cooper crossed paths with another of the author's primary protagonists, John Rockne, in the crossover novel Killer Groove.
The John Rockne Mystery Series
John Rockne is a disgraced former cop turned private investigator based in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. When his relentless pursuit of justice lands him in deep water, he has to rely on his wits to survive Detroit's criminal underbelly. Though originally launched under the Dani Amore name, newer entries are published under Dan Ames. The recommended order is:
- Dead Wood (2014)
- Hard Rock (2014)
- Cold Jade (2015)
- Long Shot (2015)
- Easy Prey (2017)
- Body Blow (2017)
- Deep Lies (2025)
- Full Smoke (2025)
- Fast Burn (2025)
The Rockne-Cooper Crossover
If you want to read the shared universe stories in sequence, insert the crossover novel Killer Groove (2016) between Cold Jade and Easy Prey in your John Rockne read-through, or after finishing the core Mary Cooper trilogy.
The Wallace Mack Thrillers
The Wallace Mack series follows a retired FBI profiler who finds himself pulled back into tracking down the nation's most twisted criminals. The series kicks off with a terrifying premise: serial killers organizing a competitive league to crown the deadliest murderer. You should read this fast-paced trilogy in order:
- The Killing League (2017)
- The Murder Store (2017)
- Finders Killers (2017)
The Circuit Rider Westerns
A tribute to classic authors like Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey, the Circuit Rider books follow Mike Tower, a peaceful traveling preacher, and his lethal gun-slinging companion, Bird Hitchcock. The core books published under the Amore name include:
- The Circuit Rider (2012)
- Killer's Draw (2013)
While Amore wrote these initial entries, the author later continued the series under the Dan Ames name with releases such as Valley of the Dead and One Bullet Too Many.
Burr Ashland Mysteries
Burr Ashland is a private investigator featured in a smaller standalone mystery series. The primary release under this series is:
- Beer Money (2013)
Standalone Novels & Short Stories
In addition to her recurring series, Dani Amore published several standalone thrillers and short fiction pieces. These can be enjoyed at any point, as they do not share continuity with her major series:
Standalone Novels
- To Find a Mountain (2011) – A historical fiction novel set during WWII following a young Italian girl named Benedetta.
- The Recruiter (2018) – A fast-paced modern thriller.
- Kill the Rat (2018) – A gritty crime novel.
- Head Shot (2018) – A suspense thriller about a Hollywood actor mistaken for a killer.
Short Stories and Novellas
- Hanging Curve (2011) – The author's debut short release.
- Scale of Justice (2011) – A brief, gritty crime tale set in Detroit focusing on a local crime boss.
- Passion Key (2014) – A suspenseful short thriller.
Anthologies
- The Killing Sands (2012) – A thriller anthology featuring a contribution from Dani Amore alongside writers like Tim Ellis and Lawrence Kelter.
What to Know Before You Start
When searching for these books online, keep in mind that the author eventually retired the pseudonym 'Dani Amore' and transitioned all active listings and future sequels to his real name, 'Dan Ames.' If you are looking for physical copies or digital editions, search for both names, as cover art and publisher information vary. All of her series are written to be fast, lean, and dialogue-heavy, making them excellent choices for quick weekend reads.