Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Do Unto Others | 1994 | Jeff Abbott | Buy |
| 2 | The Only Good Yankee | 1995 | Jeff Abbott | Buy |
| 3 | Promises of Home | 1996 | Jeff Abbott | Buy |
| 4 | Distant Blood | 1996 | Jeff Abbott | Buy |
Jordan Poteet is a former teacher who returns to his hometown of Mirabeau, Texas, to care for his ailing mother and takes a job as the town librarian. The setting is tight-knit and gossipy in the way small Texas towns can be, which means secrets are everywhere and murder tends to draw in people Jordan already knows.
The four novels — Do Unto Others, The Only Good Yankee, Promises of Home, and Distant Blood — were all published between 1994 and 1996 and established Jeff Abbott as a capable voice in the cozy mystery tradition. Jordan is an appealing protagonist, self-deprecating and bookish, with strong ties to the community that complicate his amateur sleuthing. The books earned Abbott early award attention and helped build the readership he would carry into his later, darker work.
Readers who enjoy regional mysteries with a light touch and a strong sense of place will find this series a satisfying read. Publication order is the right way to start, with Do Unto Others introducing Jordan and Mirabeau before the later books build on those foundations.