The Recommended Reading Path
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read D.W. Linden's books in their chronological narrative order. This is particularly true for his primary work, the Johnny Hart Mystery series, where the characters grow, the setting evolves, and the protagonist moves from a struggling deputy to a newly elected sheriff. While publication dates on some online databases show minor timeline variations, following the narrative sequence keeps the character arc seamless.
The Johnny Hart Mystery Series
This series follows Johnny Hart, a law enforcement officer navigating crime, social conflict, and historical depth against the backdrop of rural southeast Colorado. The books blend intense mysteries with themes of justice, identity, and Native American heritage.
1. Sand Creek (2006)
The series begins with Sand Creek. We are introduced to Johnny Hart, a Deputy Sheriff in Kiowa County, Colorado. Hart is dealing with a messy divorce, recovering from a severe rodeo injury, and working a job that seems to lead nowhere. The plot intensifies as Hart must track down a dangerous gang of white supremacist bank robbers across the vast Colorado plains, while grappling with historical weight and his own internal struggles.
2. Rocky Ford (2015)
In the second installment, Rocky Ford, Deputy Johnny Hart is tasked with investigating the suspicious death of a migrant worker. The investigation leads Hart into a dark web of modern-day slavery, murder, and exploitation in rural Colorado. This book was co-authored by Loretta Desjarlais Linden and Chad B. Rubarth, expanding the series' perspective and cultural depth.
3. By the River of Lost Souls (2016)
The third novel, By the River of Lost Souls (which has publication records showing releases in both 2013 and 2016 depending on the publisher), continues Johnny Hart's journey. Here, Hart faces off against a white supremacist group, testing his dedication to justice and highlighting the complex cultural dynamics of the American West. The story utilizes Colorado's dramatic geography as a character in its own right.
4. The Meeting Place (2018)
Co-authored by Loretta Desjarlais Linden and D.W. Linden, The Meeting Place sees a major transition for the protagonist. Johnny Hart has been elected Sheriff, taking on a heavier mantle of leadership. He is immediately thrown into a high-stakes case involving a missing child, local drug problems, and environmental threats that endanger the community.
Standalone Novels and Other Series
Beyond the plains of Colorado, D.W. Linden has explored different historical eras and settings, ranging from the early 19th-century frontier to 1920s Hawaii.
The Second Son (2006 / 2007)
This standalone historical fiction novel shifts focus to the opening of the Santa Fe Trail. The story centers on Jose Juan Garcia, who is traded to a Comanche tribe as part of a peace alliance to protect his family's livestock. Jose grows up among the Comanche, and the narrative explores his struggle of identity, survival, and his eventual return home to seek vengeance for his father's murder. It provides a unique look at early American history through Native American and Hispanic viewpoints.
Aloha Lily Chen: A Joe Kelly Mystery (2021)
In 2021, D.W. Linden introduced a brand-new historical mystery series set in 1927 Hawaii. Aloha Lily Chen follows protagonist Joe Kelly as he tries to protect a 12-year-old Chinese girl named Lily Chen. This novel serves as the introduction to the Joe Kelly Mystery series, showcasing Linden's ability to paint vivid historical landscapes outside of Colorado.
What to Know Before You Start
When starting D.W. Linden's works, it is helpful to keep a few key details in mind to avoid common points of confusion:
- Author Name Confusion: Do not confuse the fictional character "Johnny Hart" with the real-life cartoonist Johnny Hart, who created the famous comic strips B.C. and The Wizard of Id. Additionally, ensure you do not confuse D.W. Linden with John Hart, the author of the Johnny Merrimon mystery books.
- Co-Authorship: Several of the Johnny Hart books, particularly Rocky Ford and The Meeting Place, are collaborative efforts with Loretta Desjarlais Linden and Chad B. Rubarth. You may see these books cataloged under different combinations of these authors' names depending on the bookseller.
- Tone and Setting: The stories are deeply rooted in Linden's history of social activism, including his involvement with the National Indian Youth Council and the American Indian Movement. This brings a layer of authenticity to the cultural representation and structural issues explored in the books.