Charlie Bradshaw is the protagonist of Stephen Dobyns’s mystery series set in Saratoga Springs, New York. A former police officer turned private investigator, Bradshaw is a mild-mannered, somewhat unlikely detective who solves crimes rooted in the social fabric of his small city.
Bradshaw lacks the hard-boiled edge of a classic PI. He stumbles into danger more often than he charges toward it, and his cases tend to grow out of the rivalries, secrets, and grudges of a community where everyone knows each other’s business. The Charlie Bradshaw series follows him through 11 novels spanning four decades, all set against the backdrop of Saratoga’s horse-racing world and small-town politics.
Reading Order#
See the complete Charlie Bradshaw reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Charlie Bradshaw's background?
Charlie Bradshaw is a former police officer in Saratoga Springs, New York, who left the force to become a private investigator. He is a quiet, thoughtful man who often appears bumbling but has a talent for seeing through the social dynamics of his small city to uncover the truth.
How many books feature Charlie Bradshaw?
There are 11 books in the Charlie Bradshaw series by Stephen Dobyns, published between 1976 and 2017. All of the titles begin with the word ‘Saratoga.’
What is the setting of the Charlie Bradshaw series?
The series is set in Saratoga Springs, New York, a city known for its horse racing, mineral springs, and old-money social scene. The Saratoga setting is central to the stories, with the local racing culture, politics, and personalities driving many of the plots.