Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aphrodite | 2003 | David Handler | Buy |
| 2 | Midas | 2005 | David Handler | Buy |
| 3 | Hades | 2007 | David Handler | Buy |
The Justin Westwood series consists of three mystery novels published between 2003 and 2007. Each book takes its title from a Greek mythological figure: Aphrodite, Midas, and Hades. The mythological references provide thematic framing for the crimes at the center of each story, giving the series a slightly more literary flavor than Handler’s cozier mystery work.
The trilogy stands apart from Handler’s other series in its approach to the mystery genre. While the Stewart Hoag books lean on humor and celebrity culture, the Justin Westwood novels take a more serious tone. The three-book format keeps the series tight, and each novel works as a standalone mystery while building on the character of Justin Westwood.