David Handler Books in Order

Where to Start with David Handler

David Handler is a master of the modern cozy and character-driven mystery. For readers looking to dive into his bibliography, there are two primary entry points depending on the tone you prefer. The first is his signature Stewart Hoag & Lulu Mysteries, which centers around a witty celebrity ghostwriter and his charming basset hound. If you prefer a mismatched romance and a coastal New England setting, your best bet is the Mitch Berger & Desiree Mitry Mysteries. In both cases, reading in publication order is highly recommended to follow the character relationships and growth over time.

The Stewart Hoag & Lulu Mysteries

This is Handler's most famous and long-running series, featuring Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag, a former darling of the literary scene who now works as a high-society ghostwriter, and his basset hound, Lulu. The series is celebrated for its sharp humor, showbiz-insider flavor, and the delightful companionship of Lulu.

Notably, the series features a massive 20-year hiatus between the eighth book (published in 1997) and the ninth book (published in 2017). When Handler returned to the characters, he updated their world to the modern era seamlessly without losing the retro charm of the early novels.

We recommend reading the Stewart Hoag & Lulu series in publication order:

• The Man Who Died Laughing (1988)
• The Man Who Lived by Night (1989)
• The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald (1990) — Winner of the Edgar Award and American Mystery Award
• The Woman Who Fell from Grace (1991)
• The Boy Who Never Grew Up (1992)
• The Man Who Cancelled Himself (1995)
• The Girl Who Ran Off with Daddy (1996)
• The Man Who Loved Women to Death (1997)
• The Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes (2017) — The series revival
• The Man Who Couldn't Miss (2018)
• The Man in the White Linen Suit (2019)
• The Girl Who Did Say No (2020) — A short story contribution to the Bibliomysteries project
• The Man Who Wasn't All There (2021)
• The Lady in the Silver Cloud (2022)
• The Girl Who Took What She Wanted (2023)
• The Woman Who Lowered the Boom (2024)

The Mitch Berger & Desiree Mitry Mysteries

Beginning in 2001, Handler introduced a second major mystery series set in Dorset, Connecticut. The series stars Mitch Berger, a wealthy, cynical, and grieving film critic from New York, and Desiree "Des" Mitry, a dedicated, cat-loving Connecticut State Police trooper. The interracial relationship and clash of lifestyles between the two make for a compelling romantic and crime-solving dynamic across 11 novels.

The recommended reading order is the publication order:

• The Cold Blue Blood (2001)
• The Hot Pink Farmhouse (2002)
• The Bright Silver Star (2003)
• The Burnt Orange Sunrise (2004)
• The Sweet Golden Parachute (2006)
• The Sour Cherry Surprise (2008)
• The Shimmering Blond Sister (2010)
• The Blood Red Indian Summer (2011)
• The Snow White Christmas Cookie (2012)
• The Coal Black Asphalt Tomb (2014)
• Lavender Lane Lothario (2016)

Co-authored Works: The Russell Andrews Thrillers

For something with a darker, more fast-paced thriller tone, readers can look to the books David Handler co-wrote with author and publisher Peter Gethers under the joint pseudonym Russell Andrews. This partnership produced both standalone thrillers and a trilogy centering on Justin Westwood, a disgraced former police officer who moves to a quiet town on Long Island and finds himself wrapped up in dangerous conspiracies.

The Justin Westwood Trilogy

• Aphrodite (2003)
• Midas (2005)
• Hades (2007)

Standalone Thrillers as Russell Andrews

• Gideon (1999)
• Icarus (2001)

Other Series and Early Novels

Before finding his footing in the mystery genre, Handler began his career with two mainstream, semi-autobiographical novels centering on a young protagonist named Danny Levine. In addition, Handler created a short series featuring a young private investigator based in New York City named Benji Golden.

Danny Levine Books

• Kiddo (1986)
• The Boss (1988)

Benji Golden Books

• Runaway Man (2013)
• Phantom Angel (2015)

A Note on the Bibliomysteries Checklist

Readers looking at database checklists for David Handler might see a massive list of over forty "Bibliomysteries" books. It is important to clarify that Bibliomysteries is actually a multi-author collection of short stories commissioned by New York's Mysterious Bookshop, featuring different writers like Nelson DeMille, Ken Bruen, and Anne Perry. David Handler's only contribution to this series is the 2020 short story The Girl Who Did Say No, which is also a canonical entry in his Stewart Hoag & Lulu series.

Practical Reading Advice

While the individual mysteries in each book are resolved by the final page, the personal lives, romantic arcs, and career trajectories of the recurring characters change dramatically from book to book. For instance, Hoagy's relationship with his ex-wife Merilee is a major subplot that spans the entire series. Similarly, the growing trust and intimacy between Mitch and Des forms the emotional core of the Berger & Mitry books. Skip books at your own risk, as you will miss key developments in these characters' lives.