Where to Start with Elizabeth Fackler
Elizabeth Fackler has spent decades crafting richly detailed stories set against the backdrop of the American Southwest. Because her work spans gritty 19th-century Western sagas, modern psychological detective fiction, and standalone historical mysteries, deciding where to begin depends on your favorite genre:
- For Western Fans: The best starting point is Billy the Kid: The Legend of El Chivato (1995). This standalone historical novel reimagines the legendary outlaw during the brutal Lincoln County War and is widely considered her masterpiece.
- For Series Readers: If you want to commit to a long-running, character-driven saga, start the Seth Strummar series. You can begin either with the publication order starting with Blood Kin (1992) or chronologically with the prequel Bone Justice (2006).
- For Mystery and Crime Fans: Start with Patricide (2000), which introduces modern El Paso homicide detective Devon Gray.
The Seth Strummar Western Saga
The Seth Strummar series follows a feared gunfighter and outlaw on the Western frontier. Over the course of the series, Strummar struggles to escape his violent past, seek redemption, and build a family life. While originally published as a core set of six novels, Fackler later expanded the universe with additional stories.
Chronological Reading Order
Reading chronologically allows you to watch Seth Strummar evolve from a young 26-year-old outlaw trying to walk away from his gang into a hardened gunfighter seeking redemption.
- Bone Justice (2006) – Set in 1875, a 26-year-old Seth wins a ranch in a poker game and decides to leave his outlaw life behind, only to find himself rescue-protecting two women from his former mentor.
- Blood Kin (1992) – Seth crosses paths with 16-year-old Johanna Devery, who is fleeing El Paso disguised as a boy, while Seth seeks vengeance for his brother's murder.
- Backtrail (1993) – The saga continues as Seth's violent past and old enemies catch up with his attempts to build a quiet life.
- Road From Betrayal (1994) – Seth faces betrayal and must navigate the consequences of his frontier choices.
- Badlands (1996) – Seth struggles against the law and rival factions in the harsh frontier territory.
- Breaking Even (1998) – Seth attempts to settle old scores and protect his family.
- Wild Bull (2017) – A later Seth Strummar story focusing on new conflicts in the Southwest.
- Backlash (2017) – Seth deals with the fallout of past violent encounters.
- Lone Justice (2017) – A tale that pushes Seth to his limits as he faces frontier justice.
Publication Reading Order
If you prefer to read the books in the order they were written and experience the narrative flashbacks as Fackler originally published them, follow this sequence:
- Blood Kin (1992)
- Backtrail (1993)
- Road From Betrayal (1994)
- Badlands (1996)
- Breaking Even (1998)
- Bone Justice (2006)
- Wild Bull (2017)
- Backlash (2017)
- Lone Justice (2017)
The Devon Gray Homicide Mysteries
Moving away from the historical frontier, Fackler's Devon Gray series is set in modern El Paso, Texas. It features homicide detective Devon Gray as he untangles dark, psychological crimes while dealing with personal demons, family secrets, and eventually, fugitive life. These books should be read in order to follow Gray's ongoing character arc:
- Patricide (2000) – Detective Devon Gray investigates a murder only to realize his own ex-con brother might be involved.
- When Kindness Fails (2003) – Gray is suspended from the police force during a high-stakes kidnapping and murder investigation.
- Endless River (2005) – Inspired by a real-life crime, Gray investigates a brutal desert abduction orchestrated by a wealthy teenager.
- Lucinda's Summer Vacation (2007) – Now a fugitive, Devon Gray attempts to clear his name while hiding in a small New Mexico town.
Standalone Novels
Fackler has written several standout novels that do not require any prior reading. These span historical epics, psychological thrillers, and award-winning mysteries:
- Seven Rivers (1982) – Fackler's debut Western novel, originally published under the male pseudonym Eli Fackler to appeal to traditional Western readers.
- Arson (1984) – A tense contemporary suspense novel.
- Barbed Wire (1986) – A gritty tale of conflict and frontier survival.
- Billy the Kid: The Legend of El Chivato (1995) – A highly acclaimed, meticulously researched retelling of the Lincoln County War from the outlaw's perspective.
- Texas Lily (1997) – Follows 16-year-old Lily Cassidy as she navigates the dangerous crossfire of the Lincoln County cattle feuds.
- My Eyes Have a Cold Nose (2009) – A 1930s New Mexico mystery featuring Elizabeth "Gigi" Garrett, the blind daughter of Sheriff Pat Garrett, and her seeing-eye dog. It won the 2009 New Mexico Book Award for Best Historical Novel.
What to Know Before You Start
Elizabeth Fackler's writing is heavily influenced by her home state of New Mexico and her background as a librarian and researcher. Her Western novels stand out because they avoid simple black-and-white morality; instead, they focus on outcasts, complex women, and the harsh survival choices of the 1870s. Whether you are reading her historical accounts of the Lincoln County War or the modern investigations of Devon Gray, expect atmospheric prose, psychological depth, and realistic regional details.