How to Read David B. Lyons: The Recommended Starting Path
David B. Lyons is widely celebrated for his fast-paced psychological thrillers, structured in standalone trilogies that can largely be read independently. However, because he weaves crossover characters between his books—most notably the investigator Lenny Moon—the most rewarding way to experience his universe is by following his publication order. This lets you spot recurring characters and subtle links that enrich his Dublin-based thrillers.
For the best starting experience, readers should choose their path based on their favorite sub-genre:
- For Missing-Person Suspense: Begin with Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake? (2019), which introduces private investigator Lenny Moon. This is Lyons' most famous book and the perfect entry point.
- For High-Octane Ticking-Clock Thrillers: Start at the very beginning of his fiction career with his debut heist thriller, Midday (2019).
- For Courtroom Dramas: Jump straight into She Said, Three Said (2020), the first entry in his Trial Trilogy.
The Lenny Moon Books
Lenny Moon is a rookie private investigator who makes his debut in Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake?, where he is hired by a dying father and given just five hours to solve a seventeen-year-old missing person case. The character's popularity led to a continuation of his story in a dedicated series.
- Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake? (2019) – Lenny Moon's debut case, tasking him with finding a girl who disappeared seventeen years prior.
- Whatever Happened Next? (2023) – The direct sequel that follows up on the aftermath of Betsy's case and Lenny's ongoing investigations.
The Tick-Tock Trilogy
This series of standalones is defined by its real-time format. Each book takes place over a very short, continuous timeframe (such as five or six hours), utilizing multiple perspectives to build an intense, relentless pace. Interestingly, the second book double-dips as the debut of the Lenny Moon series.
- Midday (2019) – Set during a high-stakes bank robbery, following a bank manager trying to save his partner in real-time.
- Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake? (2019) – A dual-purpose novel that serves as Lenny Moon's introduction and the second volume of this real-time trilogy.
- The Suicide Pact (2019) – A dark suspense story involving a group of friends and a deadly agreement, wrapping up the trilogy's structural theme.
The Trial Trilogy
Switching gears from race-against-the-clock thrillers to intense legal drama, Lyons' Trial Trilogy is set around courtrooms and jury rooms. Each book tackles a distinct moral dilemma and a complex trial, placing the reader directly into the shoes of the jurors trying to determine guilt or innocence.
- She Said, Three Said (2020) – Centers on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault trial, contrasting the single accuser's story against the defense of three accused men.
- The Curious Case of Faith & Grace (2020) – A shocking case involving twin nine-year-old sisters arrested for the murder of their parents.
- The Coincidence (2020) – Follows a mother serving two life sentences for the death of her sons, whose case is reopened years later when new evidence suggests her conviction may have been a tragic coincidence.
The America Trilogy
Venturing outside of Ireland, Lyons set this trilogy in the United States, specifically beginning in Lebanon, Kansas (the geographic center of the country). The narrative style is reminiscent of multi-character ensemble films like Traffic or Magnolia, exploring how media, news, and technology influence American society through intersecting storylines.
- In The Middle of Middle America (2021) – The lives of seven seemingly unrelated townspeople intertwine, leading to a national scandal.
- The Footage That Shook America (2022) – Expands on media-driven paranoia and public perception.
- The Murders That Killed America (2022) – The dramatic conclusion to the thematic trilogy exploring national hysteria.
David B. Lyons' Non-Fiction
In addition to his psychological fiction, Lyons leveraged his background as a journalist to write a comprehensive biography of one of football's greatest figures.
- Alex: The Man Behind The Legend (2021) – An updated biographical account of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, detailing his career, modern managerial successions, and recovery from a major health scare.
What to Know Before You Start
Lyons' thrillers are famous for their Dublin settings, multiple viewpoints, and sudden, perspective-shifting twists. Although the trilogies are self-contained thematic blocks, keep an eye out for crossover characters. Minor characters from the Tick-Tock Trilogy can pop up in The Trial Trilogy or even make cameo appearances in the background of The America Trilogy. If you want to experience the complete progression of his shared universe, reading all of his fiction in absolute publication order starting from Midday is highly recommended.