Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burning Time | 1993 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 2 | Hanging Time | 1995 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 3 | Loving Time | 1996 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 4 | Judging Time | 1998 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 5 | Stealing Time | 1999 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 6 | Tracking Time | 2000 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 7 | The Silent Bride | 2002 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 8 | A Killing Gift | 2003 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
| 9 | A Clean Kill | 2005 | Leslie Glass | Buy |
Leslie Glass introduced April Woo in Burning Time (1993), and over the next twelve years she wrote eight more novels about the Chinese-American NYPD detective. April works homicide cases across New York City, and the series blends classic police procedural plotting with a detailed look at her family and personal life. Her mother, Sai Yuan Woo, is a constant presence who pushes April toward a more traditional path, and this friction gives the books an emotional layer that most crime series lack.
The cases range from serial killers to kidnappings, and Glass uses each investigation to explore different corners of Manhattan. As the series progresses, April rises through the ranks and her relationship with Sergeant Mike Sanchez deepens into one of the more believable romances in crime fiction. Glass writes dialogue that feels authentic to the squad room, and her portrayal of departmental politics adds weight to the procedural elements. Readers who enjoy Sue Grafton or Linda Fairstein will find a lot to like here.