Where to Start with David H. Fears
For readers looking to dive into David H. Fears' gritty, pulp-inspired bibliography, the absolute best place to start is with the first book of his signature series: Dark Quarry (2010). This novel introduces Mike Angel, a 30-year-old Korean War veteran turned private investigator, and establishes the series' signature blend of historical detail, hard-boiled suspense, and adult/erotic themes. Starting at the beginning is highly recommended because the series follows a continuous timeline where Mike's career, relationships, and personal life progress from book to book.
If you prefer historical romance over hard-boiled detective fiction, your best starting point is Quentin & Mattie (2017), the first entry in his 1940s-era romance trilogy set in Portland, Oregon, during the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Mike Angel Mysteries in Publication and Chronological Order
The Mike Angel Mysteries are the cornerstone of Fears' fiction. Spanning 20 novels, the series follows Mike Angel as he navigates the seedy underbelly of the 1960s and early 1970s. The series begins in Newark, New Jersey, before Mike relocates to Chicago. Along the way, he handles cases involving mobsters, corruption, and dangerous femme fatales, often aided by his partner Rick Anthony and his secretary and love interest, Molly.
Because the chronological timeline of the novels aligns directly with their publication order, readers should follow the books in the order they were released. Below is the complete reading list for the Mike Angel series:
- Dark Quarry (2010)
- Dark Lake (2011)
- Dark Blonde (2011)
- Dark Poison (2011)
- Dark Idol (2011)
- Dark Moon (2011)
- Dark Fantasy (2012)
- Dark Conspiracy (2012)
- Dark Red (2014)
- Dark Eyes (2014)
- Dark Union (2014)
- Dark Drama (2015)
- Dark Jaws (2015)
- Dark House (2015)
- Dark Tattoo (2015)
- Dark Arson (2016)
- Dark Sleep (2016)
- Dark Oath (2016)
- Dark Vigil (2017)
- Dark Glory (2017)
The Quentin Romance Trilogy
Moving away from the private eye genre, Fears wrote the Quentin Romance series. Set in the 1940s, this trilogy mixes historical romance with light mystery, focusing on the lives and relationships of characters in Portland, Oregon. Unlike the Mike Angel books, this series is much shorter and more focused on romantic drama against the backdrop of World War II. It should be read in the following order:
- Quentin & Mattie (2017)
- Quentin's Escape (2018)
- Quentin's Redemption (2018)
Short Stories and Collections
In addition to his full-length novels, Fears was an incredibly prolific short-story writer, publishing nearly 100 tales that span genres from slice-of-life nostalgia to magical realism. While these stories do not require a specific reading order and can be enjoyed as standalones, they are best read in collected volumes. If you want to sample his shorter fiction, look for the following collections:
- The Hermit's Last Wish and Other Stories (2011)
- 44 Collected Stories of David H Fears (2011)
- The Immortal Ipetlatah and Other Stories (2011)
- Drug Store Venus & 5 Other Erotic Stories (2011)
Non-Fiction and Scholarly Works
Before achieving success as a novelist later in life, Fears was a dedicated historian and literary scholar. His most notable academic contribution is his massive, multi-volume reference work tracking the life and travels of Samuel Clemens: Mark Twain Day by Day. For aspiring writers, he also published Self-Edit Your Novel (2014), which distills the lessons he learned during his career as a college writing instructor and self-published novelist.
What to Know Before You Start
Before picking up your first David H. Fears book, there are a few stylistic elements to keep in mind. First, the Mike Angel Mysteries are heavily influenced by classic pulp noir writers like Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane. However, they also fall into the category of "historical erotic" mysteries, meaning they feature explicit adult themes, sensuality, and violence that might not appeal to all mystery fans.
Second, the series features a recurring paranormal element: Mike's deceased father, a former NYPD lieutenant, occasionally speaks to Mike in a mysterious "otherworldly voice" to warn him of impending danger or guide his investigations. This blend of classic hard-boiled detective work, explicit romance, and subtle supernatural elements gives Fears' work a unique flavor in the indie mystery landscape.