Janet Dawson Reading Order

2 books (1998–2009)

Janet Dawson has edited two mystery anthologies that should be read in publication order. Once Upon a Crime appeared in 1998, followed by San Francisco Noir 2 in 2009. This complete series collects short crime and mystery stories from various authors within the mystery and thriller genre.

Start with Once Upon a Crime and read in order.

#	Title
1	Once Upon a Crime 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	San Francisco Noir 2 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2013–2020)

The California Zephyr Mystery series comprises four standalone mysteries by Janet Dawson, published between 2013 and 2020. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Death Rides the Zephyr, followed by Death Deals a Hand, The Ghost in Roomette Four, and concluding with Death Above the Line. The series is complete and closed.

Start with Death Rides the Zephyr, the first of 4 books in the California Zephyr Mystery series.

#	Title
1	Death Rides the Zephyr 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Death Deals a Hand 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Ghost in Roomette Four 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Death Above the Line 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2002–2002)

#	Title
1	Scam and Eggs 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

14 books (1990–2023)

The Jeri Howard Mystery series comprises fourteen books published between 1990 and 2023, following the investigations of private detective Jeri Howard. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Kindred Crimes. Each novel stands as a self-contained mystery while contributing to the character's ongoing development across the extended series.

Start with Kindred Crimes, the first of 14 books in the Jeri Howard Mystery series.

#	Title
1	Kindred Crimes 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Take a Number 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Till the Old Men Die 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Don't Turn Your Back On The Ocean 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Missing Child / Nobody's Child 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	A Credible Threat 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Witness to Evil 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Where the Bodies Are Buried 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	A Killing at the Track 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Bit Player 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Cold Trail 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Water Signs 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	The Devil Close Behind 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Things We Keep 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2011–2011)

This complete series collects four short stories and novellas featuring Jeri Howard, published in 2011. The four books should be read in publication order: Blue Eyes, Candles on the Corner, Little Red Corvette, and Slayer Statute. These mystery stories showcase the author's work in the thriller genre alongside her non-fiction writing.

Start with Blue Eyes, the first of 4 books in the Jeri Howard Short Stories/Novellas series.

1 book (2019–2019)

8 books (2002–2018)

Janet Dawson's Short Stories/Novellas series comprises eight mystery-themed collections and individual stories published between 2002 and 2018. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Voice Mail and concluding with But Not Forgotten. These standalone entries showcase Dawson's work in both mystery fiction and non-fiction storytelling across various short-form formats.

Start with Voice Mail, the first of 8 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

2 books (2012–2021)

Janet Dawson's two mystery novels, What You Wish for (2012) and The Sacrificial Daughter (2021), are best read in publication order. Though structured as standalone entries, reading them sequentially provides the intended narrative progression. The series appears to be complete, spanning nearly a decade between releases.

Start with What You Wish for and read in order.