Ruby Crane books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Ruby Crane series?"

"There are three books in the Ruby Crane series, published between 1996 and 1998."

Q: "What is the first book in the Ruby Crane series?"

"The first book in the Ruby Crane series is Savage Cut, published in 1996."

Q: "Do I need to read the Miss Zukas series before reading the Ruby Crane books?"

"No, the Ruby Crane books are a separate series with their own protagonist and setting. They share Jo Dereske's Pacific Northwest mystery style but are completely independent from Miss Zukas."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Savage Cut	1996	Jo Dereske	Buy
2	Cut and Dry	1997	Jo Dereske	Buy
3	Short Cut	1998	Jo Dereske	Buy

The Ruby Crane series by Jo Dereske features an artist turned amateur detective in the Pacific Northwest. The three novels, Savage Cut (1996), Cut and Dry (1997), and Short Cut (1998), follow Ruby as she encounters crimes connected to the natural landscape and small communities of the region.

The trilogy offers a different flavor from Dereske’s better-known Miss Zukas books. Where Zukas is orderly and rule-bound, Ruby Crane is more adventurous and impulsive. The Pacific Northwest setting connects both series, but Ruby Crane’s world has a rougher, more rural edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Ruby Crane series?

There are three books in the Ruby Crane series, published between 1996 and 1998.

What is the first book in the Ruby Crane series?

The first book in the Ruby Crane series is Savage Cut, published in 1996.

Do I need to read the Miss Zukas series before reading the Ruby Crane books?

No, the Ruby Crane books are a separate series with their own protagonist and setting. They share Jo Dereske’s Pacific Northwest mystery style but are completely independent from Miss Zukas.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order