Ray Elkins Mystery books in order

The Ray Elkins Mystery series by Aaron Stander follows a northern Michigan sheriff through twelve police procedurals set along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Summer People 2000 Aaron Stander Buy
2 Color Tour 2006 Aaron Stander Buy
3 Deer Season 2009 Aaron Stander Buy
4 Shelf Ice 2010 Aaron Stander Buy
5 Medieval Murders 2011 Aaron Stander Buy
6 Cruelest Month 2012 Aaron Stander Buy
7 Death in a Summer Colony 2013 Aaron Stander Buy
8 Murder in the Merlot 2016 Aaron Stander Buy
9 Gales of November 2017 Aaron Stander Buy
10 The Center Cannot Hold 2018 Aaron Stander Buy
11 Destination Wedding 2020 Aaron Stander Buy
12 Smoke and Mirrors 2024 Aaron Stander Buy

The Ray Elkins Mystery series by Aaron Stander spans twelve novels published between 2000 and 2024. The books follow Sheriff Ray Elkins as he polices a rural Michigan county where the beautiful Lake Michigan landscape can hide dark secrets. Each book is set during a different season or local event, giving the series a strong connection to the rhythms of northern Michigan life.

From Summer People through Smoke and Mirrors, Stander builds a portrait of a community where longtime residents, seasonal visitors, and newcomers collide. Elkins is a patient, observant sheriff who knows his territory and its people, making him well-suited to solving crimes that grow out of local tensions and personal grudges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Ray Elkins Mystery series?

There are 12 books in the Ray Elkins Mystery series, published between 2000 and 2024.

What is the first book in the Ray Elkins Mystery series?

The first book in the Ray Elkins Mystery series is Summer People, published in 2000.

Who is Ray Elkins?

Ray Elkins is the sheriff of a rural county in northern lower Michigan. A thoughtful and methodical investigator, he handles cases that range from summer tourist conflicts to murders among the local population, all set against the backdrop of the Lake Michigan landscape.

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