Where Should You Start Reading Dustin Stevens?
Dustin Stevens is an incredibly prolific thriller and mystery writer who has authored over 75 novels, regularly dominating Amazon's bestseller lists. His stories typically fall into distinct series that range from small-town police mysteries to global black-ops thrillers. Because his primary series operate in independent storylines without significant crossovers, you can start with whichever subgenre appeals to you most. However, two series stand out as the absolute best starting points for new readers:
- For Police Procedural and K-9 Fans: Start with The Boat Man, the first book in the Reed & Billie series. This award-winning novel introduces a grieving homicide detective and his German Shepherd partner, and it remains Stevens' most popular and beloved series.
- For High-Stakes Action and Grit: Start with Cold Fire (also published under the title Krokodil), the debut novel of the Hawk Tate series, following an ex-DEA agent fighting cartels and corruption in Montana.
Do You Need to Read Dustin Stevens' Books in Order?
Yes and no. The main rule of thumb is that within any individual series, you should read the books in order. The characters undergo substantial personal development, recover from past trauma, and build long-term relationships that evolve chronologically from book to book. However, because his series do not cross over into a shared narrative continuity, you do not need to read the Hawk Tate books to understand the Reed & Billie mysteries or the Zoo Crew series. You can read each series independently at your own pace.
The Reed & Billie Series Reading Order
Set in Columbus, Ohio, this police procedural series follows Detective Reed Mattox, who is grieving the tragic loss of his human partner. He is matched with Billie, a retired police dog who is equally scarred by her past. Together, the pair forms an unbreakable bond, tackling complex homicides, serial killers, and local corruption. To get the full benefit of their relationship's evolution, follow their cases in publication order:
- The Boat Man (2015)
- The Good Son (2016)
- The Kid (2016)
- The Partnership (2017)
- Justice (2017)
- The Scorekeeper (2018)
- The Bear (2019)
- The Driver (2020)
- The Promisor (2021)
- The Ghost (2022)
- The Family (2023)
- The Cat (2023)
- The Shadow (2024)
The Hawk Tate Books Reading Order
If you prefer military-style action, survivalist themes, and high-octane suspense, the Hawk Tate series is your best bet. The series stars Jeremiah 'Hawk' Tate, a former DEA agent who lost his family to the cartels and retreated to a quiet life in the rugged landscape of Montana. Inevitably, his past and his survival instincts draw him back into deadly conflicts. Read the series in this order:
- Cold Fire / Krokodil (2014)
- Cover Fire (2015)
- Fire and Ice (2016)
- Hellfire (2018)
- Home Fire (2018)
- Wild Fire (2019)
- Friendly Fire (2021)
- Catching Fire (2022)
- Forest Fire (2024)
The Zoo Crew Legal Thrillers
Combining legal drama with local Montana mysteries, the Zoo Crew series centers on Drake Bell, a displaced Southerner attending law school at the University of Montana in Missoula. Along with his eclectic group of friends—including gaming genius Ajax, forest firefighter Kade, and registered nurse Sage—Drake finds himself solving dangerous legal cases outside the classroom. The reading order is:
- The Zoo Crew (2012)
- Dead Peasants (2013)
- Tracer (2013)
- The Glue Guy (2015)
- Moonblink (2016)
- The Shuffle (2020)
The My Mira Saga Reading Order
Originally written under Stevens' pen name, T.R. Kohler, the My Mira Saga is a dark, fast-paced thriller series following Kyle Clady, a former Navy SEAL whose life changes forever after a devastating personal tragedy. The series uses a unique dual-narrative structure, utilizing flashbacks to slowly reveal the background of the characters alongside the main action. Follow Kyle Clady's mission in order:
- Spare Change (2018)
- Office Visit (2018)
- Fair Trade (2018)
- Ships Passing (2019)
- Warning Shot (2020)
- Battle Cry (2020)
- Steel Trap (2021)
- Iron Men (2021)
- Until Death (2021)
The Ham Series
The Ham series features a tough, highly skilled, yet grounded female protagonist known simply as Ham. Unlike typical superheroic thriller leads, Ham is written with realistic vulnerabilities; she makes mistakes, takes physical lumps, and relies on her wits. Her sharp banter with her associate Porter is a highlight of the series. Read the books in order:
- Ham (2019)
- Even (2019)
- Rules (2021)
- Home (2022)
- Gone (2023)
- Deal (2024)
Pseudonymous Series & Spin-Offs (Written as T.R. Kohler)
Dustin Stevens frequently utilizes the pseudonym T.R. Kohler to write distinct, fast-paced action thrillers. Many of these works were later cataloged under his real name or exist under a shared listing. Here is how to read these subseries:
The Jumper Series
This thriller series follows protagonist Kari Ma as she takes on high-risk, seemingly straightforward courier and retrieval jobs that quickly go sideways, sending her into hostile territory. Read them in order:
- Into the Jungle (2021)
- Out to Sea (2022)
The Hunter Series
This series stars a Seattle homicide detective balancing her high-stakes career, her relationship with her ex-husband, and her devotion to her young son. The cases pull her from Seattle's nightlife into dangerous underworlds:
- Hunter (2021)
- Street Divorce (2022)
The Translator Series
Focusing on the power of linguistics, interrogation, and deceptive speech, this psychological thriller series tracks complex investigations where words are the ultimate weapon:
- The Translator (2021)
- The Confession (2022)
Other T.R. Kohler & Minor Series
- Bulletproof: Stars Joseph Robert "Mike" Mychalski, a former EOD Specialist with literally impenetrable skin living in Bali. Read Mike's Place (2021).
- Hobby Lobby Mysteries: Follows Erika Wernick, a recovering Seattle Times reporter who solves crimes in Big Bear Lake. Read The Exchange (2018) followed by Badger Games (2023).
- Kerrin Thoms Mysteries: Follows private investigator Kerrin Thoms. Read Peeping Thoms (2017).