Books On Board

D.B. Elrogg Books in Order

  • 6 Books
  • 2018 – 2022 Published

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How to Read the Milo Rathkey Mysteries

If you love cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place, plenty of humor, and puzzles you can actually solve yourself, the Milo Rathkey Mystery series by D.B. Elrogg is a must-read. Written by the husband-and-wife writing team of Harvey and Alyce Goldberg, this series stands out for its witty banter, fair-play clues, and memorable characters. But where should you begin?

The Recommended Starting Point

We highly recommend starting with the first book, Great Party! Sorry About the Murder. The series features ongoing character development, recurring jokes, and shifting dynamics between the characters that are best enjoyed in order. Starting at the beginning allows you to see how Milo transitions from a newly wealthy private investigator into a seasoned investigator, and how his relationship with his estate co-owner, Sutherland McKnight, develops over time.

Milo Rathkey Mysteries in Publication Order

D.B. Elrogg has written the Milo Rathkey books in chronological order, meaning the publication order matches the chronological timeline of Milo’s investigations. Reading them in this sequence keeps the character arcs and local Duluth timeline perfectly aligned.

  • Great Party! Sorry About the Murder (2018) – Milo Rathkey, a former policeman who inherits a fortune and a share of the Lakesong estate, investigates the murder of a real estate tycoon during a New Year’s Eve celebration. This book introduces Milo's unique "mind lint" logic.
  • Fun Reunion! Meet, Greet, Murder (2019) – Milo heads to a high school reunion that quickly turns deadly when a former classmate takes a fatal fall, exposing long-buried secrets, blackmail, and grudges.
  • Missed The Murder Went To Yoga (2020) – A mystery book club meeting becomes the scene of a crime when a member is poisoned, leaving Milo to decipher a mysterious clue: the word "yellow."
  • Murder Again! Happy New Year! (2021) – Another holiday brings another puzzle for Milo, who must untangle a web of suspects during a festive New Year's Eve gathering.
  • Snap, Zap, Murder (2022) – The death of advertising executive Charlie Dawson while testing a sabotaged stationary exercise bike leads Milo into the competitive and cutthroat world of fitness marketing.
  • Clues, Cash, Pieces of Murder (2022) – When the local "Hat Man" is found dead in the river after purchasing an unusual series of headwear, Milo is called in to piece together the bizarre clues.
  • Old Murder, New Murder, Where Are The Cows? (2024) – Milo investigates a spooky, dilapidated farmhouse where a young woman met her end, bringing plenty of witty banter and gothic-cozy atmosphere.
  • Pop-Up Dinner, Drop Down Dead (2025) – Milo's latest case takes him into the local culinary scene when a trendy pop-up dinner event is interrupted by a sudden death.

What to Know Before You Start

The Feline Origins of D.B. Elrogg

Behind the pseudonym D.B. Elrogg are retired Minnesota couple Harvey and Alyce Goldberg. Alyce is a former teacher who keeps their prose tight, while Harvey is a retired TV news producer who ensures their plots have a cinematic, briskly paced feel. The couple famously started writing because their demanding cat, Annie, grew tired of having them underfoot during their retirement and "insisted" they find a hobby. Naturally, a bacon-loving cat named Annie also makes regular appearances in the Milo Rathkey books.

Fair-Play Mysteries

Unlike some mysteries where the detective reveals a vital piece of evidence in the final chapter that the reader couldn't possibly have known, D.B. Elrogg plays fair. Every clue, red herring, and piece of evidence is presented directly to the reader as Milo discovers it. This turns the books into interactive puzzles, inviting you to match wits with Milo and solve the crime before the final pages.

The Duluth Setting

The books are set in Duluth, Minnesota, right on the edge of Lake Superior. The authors draw heavily from their own Minnesota roots, giving the series a chilly but cozy ambiance. Duluth's snowy winters, local landmarks, and Midwestern charm act as a character in their own right, providing the perfect contrast to the warm humor of the Lakesong estate.

Frequently Asked

Can the Milo Rathkey books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a complete, self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, it is highly recommended to read them in order to follow the ongoing character development, recurring jokes, and the relationships of the Lakesong estate residents.

Who is D.B. Elrogg?

D.B. Elrogg is the joint pen name of retired husband-and-wife writing team Harvey and Alyce Goldberg, who live in Minnesota.

What is Milo Rathkey's "mind lint" logic?

Milo describes his detective process as gathering "mind lint"—collecting the small, seemingly insignificant details and scraps of information that others throw away, and assembling them until they form a clear picture of the crime.

Are there audiobooks available for the series?

Yes, the Milo Rathkey Mysteries are available in audiobook format, with several of the popular titles narrated by actor and comedian Tom Lennon.

Where does the name D.B. Elrogg come from?

It is a pseudonym adopted by Harvey and Alyce Goldberg when they began publishing their cozy mysteries in 2018, inspired by their retirement and their demanding cat.