D.B. Borton Books in Order

Where to Start with D.B. Borton

If you are new to the mystery worlds of D.B. Borton (the pen name of academic and film scholar Dr. Lynette Carpenter), your absolute first stop must be the streets of Cincinnati with her signature series, the Cat Caliban Mysteries. Starting with the first novel, One for the Money (re-released as One Deadly Take), is highly recommended. The series relies on character progression and the evolving dynamic of Cat's unconventional household, meaning you will get the most enjoyment by following her journey in order.

For readers who prefer a slightly more restrained cozy style with a heavy dose of cinematic trivia, the Movie Lovers' Mystery Series (written under the pseudonym Della Borton) is another excellent starting point. The three books in this series should also be read in publication order, starting with Fade to Black.

The Cat Caliban Reading Order

Cat Caliban is not your typical cozy sleuth. She is a gritty, blunt, fifty-something Cincinnati widow who decides to skip standard retirement and become a licensed private investigator. Accompanied by her eccentric tenants, three cats, and a faithful beagle, she tackles cases that blend humor, social commentary, and regional Midwestern charm.

When looking for these books, it is crucial to know that Joffe Books re-released the series with updated, film-and-crime-themed titles. Below is the complete reading order, showing both the original titles and their modern alternatives:

1. One for the Money (1993) — also published as One Deadly Take. Cat rents out her apartments, adopts her pets, and investigates the murder of a homeless woman with ties to early cinema.
2. Two Points for Murder (1993) — also published as Two Shot Foul. Cat investigates the death of a high school basketball star.
3. Three Is a Crowd (1994) — also published as Three for the Kill. Cat gets caught up in a case involving an old friend and domestic secrets.
4. Four Elements of Murder (1995) — also published as Four Fatal Elements. Environmental issues and local politics take center stage.
5. Five-Alarm Fire (1996) — also published as Five Degrees of Murder. Cat hunts down an arsonist who is threatening her neighborhood.
6. Six Feet Under (1997) — Cat digs into a mystery surrounding a local cemetery and historical family secrets.
7. Seventh Deadly Sin (2004) — also published as Seven Deadly Sins. Cat deals with religious hypocrisy and a murder at a local church.
8. Eight Miles High (2007) — also published as Eight Miles to Death. This case takes Cat into the counterculture history of the 1960s.
9. Nine Lives (2022) — also published as Nine Burned Lives. Returning after a long hiatus, Cat tackles a mystery involving a suspicious house fire.
10. Tenth Commandment (2023) — also published as Ten Clues to Murder. Cat investigates a murder connected to an affluent Cincinnati family.
11. Eleven Hours to Murder (2024) — Cat races against the clock to solve a high-stakes disappearance.
12. Death by the Dozen (2026) — The latest installment in the series, bringing Cat's investigative journey into a new chapter.

The Movie Lovers' Mystery Series (as Della Borton)

Writing as Della Borton, the author created the Movie Lovers' Mystery Series, featuring Gilda Liberty. Gilda is the proprietor of a movie theater in the small town of Eden, Ohio. She is a more reserved sleuth than Cat Caliban, but her stories are packed with classical Hollywood references, reflecting the author's background as a film studies professor. The original editions even included movie-themed crossword puzzles for readers to solve.

The series is complete as a trilogy and should be read in order:

1. Fade to Black (1999) — Gilda sleuths through a murder connected to the local theater.
2. Freeze Frame (2000) — A mystery involving early cinematic reels and local town history.
3. Slow Dissolve (2001) — Gilda investigates a crime involving Alzheimer's patients and forgotten memories.

Harry and Dizzy Lark Mysteries

In 2019, Borton introduced a new detective duo: Harry Lark, a hard-boiled Houston private eye, and his twelve-year-old daughter Dizzy (Desdemona). Set in 1961 Houston, this series captures the spirit of classic girl-detective fiction mixed with historical atmosphere.

• Bayou City Burning (2019) — The debut novel of the series. Dizzy runs a lost-and-found business from her garage, but her minor investigations collide with her father's dangerous adult case.

Standalone Novels

For readers looking for a change of pace, Borton has penned standalone books that showcase her versatility:

• Second Coming (2017) — A humorous sci-fi mystery that brings comedic alien intervention to Earth with a satirical, Douglas Adams-style tone.
• Smoke (2019) — A modern mystery novel dealing with small-town secrets, grief, and long-hidden truths.

What to Know Before You Start

Borton's mysteries are highly praised for their authentic Midwestern dialogue, realistic dialect usage, and strong feminist undercurrents. Rather than typical light and fluffy cozy mysteries, her works often touch on real social issues, including homelessness, environmental degradation, and the struggles of aging. Cat Caliban is frequently compared to Mrs. Pollifax and Miss Marple, but she brings a unique working-class grit and Midwestern attitude that sets her apart. Because characters grow, aging occurs, and neighborhood relationships develop over time, starting from the beginning of the Cat Caliban series is key to experiencing the full depth of Borton's work.