Joe Higheagle books in order

The Joe Higheagle series by Samuel Marquis follows a Cheyenne hydrogeologist who investigates environmental crimes in Colorado, starting with the earthquake thriller Blind Thrust (2015).

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Blind Thrust 2015 Samuel Marquis Buy
2 Cluster of Lies 2016 Samuel Marquis Buy

The Joe Higheagle series features a Native American geologist who uses his scientific training to uncover environmental crimes in Colorado. Author Samuel Marquis, himself a professional hydrogeologist, built the series around the kind of cases he has worked on throughout his career, giving the books an authenticity that separates them from standard thrillers.

In Blind Thrust (2015), a devastating earthquake strikes Colorado, and Joe Higheagle suspects it was triggered by industrial activity rather than natural causes. The investigation puts him at odds with a powerful corporation willing to kill to keep its secrets buried. Cluster of Lies (2016) follows Joe as he is hired to investigate a cancer cluster in a suburban community outside Denver, uncovering a web of corporate deception and cover-ups. Both novels feature Joe’s curmudgeonly grandfather, Chief John Higheagle, who provides grounding and humor alongside the high-stakes action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Joe Higheagle series?

There are two books in the Joe Higheagle series, published between 2015 and 2016.

What is the first book in the Joe Higheagle series?

The first book in the Joe Higheagle series is Blind Thrust, published in 2015.

Who is Joe Higheagle and what makes these books different from typical thrillers?

Joe Higheagle is a Cheyenne hydrogeologist and environmental investigator based in Colorado. The character is partly based on author Samuel Marquis’s own career as a professional geologist. What sets these thrillers apart is their grounding in real environmental science. Blind Thrust deals with fracking-induced earthquakes, a topic Marquis has professional expertise in, while Cluster of Lies tackles a suburban cancer cluster in the vein of Erin Brockovich. Joe’s grandfather, Chief John Higheagle, is a recurring character in both books.

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