Don Bruns Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Paths for Don Bruns

Don Bruns has written three major mystery series, each with a distinct protagonist, setting, and tone. Because these series do not cross over or share major continuity links, you do not need to read the entire bibliography in one strict sequence. Instead, the best way to approach his work is to select the series that fits your preferred style and read those books in publication order to appreciate the ongoing character development.

Here is how to choose your starting point based on what you like to read:

• For music fans and travel mystery lovers: Start with the Mick Sever (Caribbean Mystery) series, beginning with Jamaica Blue (2002). This series features a globetrotting rock journalist who investigates crimes tied to the music scene.
• For comedy and buddy-cop enthusiasts: Start with the Lessor and Moore (Stuff) series, beginning with Stuff to Die For (2006). This lighthearted, humorous series follows two bumbling, underemployed twenty-somethings in Miami who accidentally become private investigators.
• For fans of gritty noir and atmospheric procedurals: Start with the Quentin Archer series, beginning with Casting Bones (2017). Set in New Orleans, this series pairs a former Detroit homicide detective with a local voodoo practitioner.

Mick Sever (Caribbean Mystery) Series in Publication Order

The Mick Sever series is heavily inspired by Don Bruns's own background as a musician and entertainer. Mick is a freelance entertainment journalist who travels to beautiful tropical destinations, only to find himself mixed up in the dark, often deadly side of the music industry. His ex-wife, Jenny, frequently plays a role in his adventures, adding personal tension to the high-stakes suspense.

While each mystery is self-contained, we recommend reading them in publication order to follow Mick's career progression and his evolving relationship with Jenny:

1. Jamaica Blue (2002) – Mick travels to Jamaica to interview a rising reggae superstar but gets caught up in a web of murder and industry exploitation.
2. Barbados Heat (2003) – Investigating a young musician's death leads Mick to the shores of Barbados, where he uncovers corporate greed and deep-seated family secrets.
3. South Beach Shakedown (2006) – Moving to the mainland, Mick tries to help an old friend in the flashy, dangerous nightclub scene of Miami's South Beach.
4. St. Barts Breakdown (2008) – Mick is hired to track down the missing daughter of a legendary rock icon on the exclusive island of St. Barts.
5. Bahama Burnout (2009) – A suspicious fire and a high-profile murder in Nassau force Mick to unravel a complex financial conspiracy.

Lessor and Moore (Stuff) Mystery Series in Publication Order

If you prefer your crime fiction with a heavy dose of humor and wacky situations, the Lessor and Moore series (often called the "Stuff" series) is your best bet. The books follow James Lessor and Skip Moore, two young men in South Florida who are constantly trying to find a shortcut to financial success. After buying a box of junk containing a severed human finger, they find themselves operating a makeshift private investigation agency.

The comedy is fast-paced, reminiscent of classic buddy-comedies. Read them in publication order to see how their PI business grows (and fails) over time:

1. Stuff to Die For (2006) – Skip and James stumble upon a bizarre crime scene and launch their accidental career as private investigators.
2. Stuff Dreams Are Made Of (2008) – Hired to guard a priceless painting, the bumbling duo must recover it after it is stolen right under their noses.
3. Stuff to Spy For (2009) – What begins as a simple domestic surveillance job spirally out of control into a massive corporate espionage plot.
4. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (2010) – The boys take on seemingly minor, quirky cases that quickly escalate into dangerous territory.
5. Too Much Stuff (2011) – Riddled with eccentric clients and bizarre clues, James and Skip scramble across South Florida to solve their latest case.
6. Hot Stuff (2012) – The duo investigates a series of suspicious fires in Miami, putting them in the crosshairs of arsonists and black market dealers.
7. Reel Stuff (2013) – James and Skip get a taste of Hollywood when a movie production in South Florida becomes a real-life crime scene.

Quentin Archer Mystery Series in Publication Order

For readers who enjoy a darker, more traditional police procedural with a touch of the supernatural, the Quentin Archer series is a departure from Bruns's lighter work. Quentin Archer is a hard-boiled detective who leaves Detroit for New Orleans, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, he finds a city steeped in mystery, political corruption, and voodoo.

To follow Archer's adaptation to the unique culture of New Orleans, read these three books in order:

1. Casting Bones (2017) – Archer is assigned the murder case of a prominent judge and must navigate the city's voodoo culture with the help of practitioner Solange Cordray.
2. Thrill Kill (2018) – When a series of bizarre murders mirrors the work of a long-dormant serial killer, Archer must determine if it is a copycat or a ghost from the past.
3. No Second Chances (2018) – Archer faces deep political corruption and street-level crime as he races against time to solve a high-profile kidnapping.

Don Bruns's Music-Inspired Anthologies

In addition to his novels, Don Bruns is a prolific editor and contributor to mystery anthologies. Combining his love of music and crime fiction, Bruns has spearheaded the "Music and Murder Mystery" series. In these collections, notable mystery writers contribute short stories inspired by the tracks of iconic rock albums. He has also contributed short stories to other music-themed collections.

• A Merry Band of Murderers (2006) – Co-edited with Claudia Bishop, this unique anthology features stories by mystery authors who are also musicians, and was originally packaged with a music CD.
• The Great Filling Station Holdup (2021) – Bruns contributed a short story to this Jimmy Buffett-inspired anthology edited by Josh Pachter.
• Christmas Cookies Mysteries (2021) – A festive anthology inspired by the Oak Ridge Boys' holiday music, featuring Bruns's story "I'll Be Home for Christmas."
• Hotel California (2022) – The first volume in Bruns's Music and Murder series, featuring stories inspired by the tracks of the Eagles' legendary 1976 album.
• Thriller (2023) – The second volume in the Music and Murder series, with stories based on the tracks of Michael Jackson's historic album.
• Back in Black (2024) – The third volume in the series, featuring hard-hitting mystery stories inspired by AC/DC's famous album.

What to Know Before You Start

Don Bruns's background as a standup comic, musician, and advertising executive heavily influences the tone of his books. You will find that his descriptions of South Florida and New Orleans are highly atmospheric, drawing from his personal experiences living and performing in these areas. The Mick Sever and Lessor & Moore books feature a lighter, more breezy tone typical of beach reads, whereas the Quentin Archer books are considerably darker and more atmospheric, making them perfect for fans of Southern Gothic mysteries.