Susan Rogers Cooper Books In Order

Publication Order of E.J. Pugh Books

Publication Order of Kimmey Kruse Books

Publication Order of Sheriff Milt Kovak Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Susan Rogers Cooper is an American novelist who writes cozy mysteries.

+Biography

Susan was born in 1947. She has been writing novels since 1988. Her first novel, ‘The Man in the Green Chevy’, took a while to arrive. The mystery novel placed Susan firmly on the path to becoming a successful cozy mystery novelist.

Susan Rogers Cooper will probably describe herself, first and foremost as a mother of one. It is because of her one child that Susan now has three grandchildren. So, she is just as likely to describe herself, first and foremost as a grandmother.

She will be the first person to tell you just how much enjoyment she gets out of playing with her grandchildren, which is why she spends as much time as possible with them. Of course, her writing schedule doesn’t allow her the time to indulge in their company.

Susan has lived in Texas since she was born. As such, it comes as no surprise that Susan writes a lot of stories set in Texas. Several generations of Susan’s family have lived in Texas, this including her Yankee mother.

Susan Rogers Cooper is best known for three primary series, namely the Milt Kovak series, the E.J. Pugh series, and the Kimmey Kruse series. Susan is especially attached to the Milt Kovak series because she has been writing it for the longest.

The series protagonist, Milt Kovak, is unusual in that he doesn’t bring any special skills to the table. The farthest thing from a protégée, Milt seems to bumble through every investigation; depending on his kind and honest nature, and the bonds he has built in his town to settle matters.

Susan’s attachment to the Milt Kovak character is such that she has made an effort to put the books online as e-books for readers that are new to her work to enjoy.

Unlike many aspiring authors, Susan Rogers Cooper hit the ground running with ‘The Man in the Green Chevy’. Her first book immediately drew the interest of cozy mystery fans because of its riveting nature.

The author has been commended for creating memorable small towns with a vivid atmosphere, citizens you can relate with and disturbing plots, not to mention amusing detectives, many of whom do not immediately appear suited for the task at hand.

+One, Two, What Did Daddy Do?

Block Cat Ridge Texas is a small town, sometimes uncomfortably so. This is the sort of place where everyone knows everyone because the local community is so close. So naturally, everyone is collectively shocked when the Lester Family is killed.

Murder, on its own, is shocking enough. The fact that the whole Lester family was slain is even more disturbing, and it was done in the family home. Rumors begin to abound, especially when it is revealed that the youngest family member survived.

The word on the vine suggests that Roy, the loving father, ended the lives of his entire family. And once the bloody deed was done, Roy took his own life. There is talk of the Pughs knowing more than they are saying.

After all, they are the Lester’s closest neighbors. IN fact, it was E.J. Pugh who found the bodies. The sharp-tongued romance writer also found Bessie Lester, the four-year-old girl who probably saw everything that transpired.

However, she will not speak, and without her testimony, everyone in Block Cat Ridge is ready to close the case; but not E.J. who is certain that there is a killer on the loose.

The biggest reason to hate this book is the fact that the resolution doesn’t make complete sense. However, Susan Rogers Cooper’s goal in this book seems to be to show just how illogical real life can be, in which case the resolution makes some sense.

Being the first in a series, this book is surprisingly emotional. The Pughs and the Lesters are best friends. Not only do the adults get along but the children are friends. So it comes as a shock when EJ goes next door to take the kids to school, because it’s her turn, and finds that everyone but the Bessie has been brutally murdered.

E.J. is overwhelmed by grief and Susan does a great job of letting that emotion wash over the readers. E.J. doesn’t believe that Roy did what he is being accused of, but no one believes her, especially not the police.

E.J. struggle to cope with own grief even while dealing with the remaining Lester child, not to mention her determination to find the true killer. And in pursuing the matter, E.J. doesn’t realize that she is putting her own family in danger.

This is definitely a cozy mystery novel, but it is darker than many of its contemporaries. And it could have been amazing if it wasn’t for the lackluster ending.

+The Man in the Green Chevy

Milt Kovak is the Chief Deputy of Prophesy County in Oklahoma, and he has a rapist and murderer to contend with. The fact that the victims were little old ladies is a little disturbing to Milt, who sets his sights on the sexiest woman in the County.

Mrs. Laura Johnson has three kids and a husband who is never around, and she claims to have seen a man in a green Chevy that could be connected to the murder.

Milt thinks that if he finds the mysterious man, he could break the case. However, the leads are few, and it becomes increasingly difficult to resist Laura’s warm and inviting attitude. Milt would like nothing better than to find a new line of work and leave crazy killers in the past.

But he has a job to do.

The most powerful element of this Susan Rogers Cooper book is Milt Kovak. The protagonist is very easy to like. The middle-aged detective has many flaws and he understands them.

However, he is also very kind and compassionate. Despite being in the middle of a divorce, with his wife having left him for unknown reasons, Milt is still determined to do his job.

The book is a little predictable but the story is still fun to follow; and, as with many of Susan Rogers Cooper’s books, the story is still a cozy mystery but grittier.

Susan Mary Cooper is an England-based author of children’s books. Cooper was born on May 23, 1935. She is famously known for a contemporary dance series, The Dark is Rising, which incorporates British Mythology such as the Welsh Folk heroes and the Arthurian legends. The novel, The Dark is Rising, won her a Margaret A. Edwards Award. In the year 1970, two of the author’s books were named as the year’s best English Language novel. Cooper was born and raised in Burnham, Buckinghamshire to one Bob Richard Cooper and Ethel Maybelle. Bob Cooper worked with the National History Museum until he was chosen to go and fight in the World War I. Her mother used to work as the teacher of 10-year-old children. As time went by she was promoted to the role of deputy head teacher.

Susan Cooper, resided in Buckinghamshire up to the age of 21, when her family decided to move back to her grandmother’s village. She was admitted to Slough High School before she was awarded a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Oxford.Cooper became the first woman to work as an editor for the University’s undergraduate newspaper, Cherwell. After she had graduated from the University, Susan Cooper worked as a reporter for the Sunday Times and wrote during her free time. During this period, Cooper began working on her very first series; The Dark is Rising. She also finished her very first novel, Mandrake which was published in the year 1964, Hodder and Stoughton. Cooper, then relocated to the United States, where she married a Professor of Metallurgy, Nicholas Grant.

Susan J Cooper had two children with Nicholas Grant, Jonathan, and Katherine. Later on, she became a full-time writer, thus focusing on the Dawn of the Fear and The Dark is Rising. Dawn of the Fear is a novel which is entirely based on Cooper’s World War 2 Experience. Later on, she began penning down fiction for both adults and children, a number of picture books, works on stage and screenplays. While working on her novel, Seaward in the year 1983, both of her parents passed away and also her marriage to Nicholas Grant came to an end. In the year 1996, she became married to a Canadian-American Writer and her co-author, Hume Cronyn. They both remained married until Cronyn passed away in the year 2003.

Houston in the Rearview Mirror is the first book in this book series. In this book, Susan Cooper introduces the reader to Milton Kovak. Milton Kovak works in the Sherriff Department of Prophesy County, Oklahoma. The book begins as Milton has just been summoned to Houston, where his long lost sister, Jewel is lying in a coma. Furthermore, his sister has been accused of killing her husband in cold blood. Jewel used to be the wife of an accountant, Henry Hotchkiss. It is believed that she had murdered her husband before turning the gun on herself. Thus, Milton is forced to take care of the three children who had been left behind. He decides to look into the murder case so that he could clearly figure out the circumstances, which surround the case. While doing this, he tries to get rid of the guild that he had over the strained relationship between him and his sister jewel.

Apart from Novak, the author also introduces the reader to Jewel’s exceedingly beautiful neighbor and best friend, Honey Lancaster. Kovak works hand in hand with Honey so that he can be able to figure out who may have had a motive on his sister and her husband. Milton also works with honey ex-boyfriend, Chuck and from time to time, they frequent one of the local bars. However, their investigation and trips to the local bar do not bear any fruits. Despite the lack of evidence, Milton still believes that his sister is innocent. With that being said, the author has managed to clearly capture the nature of family bonds in Texas, together with the flavor of the ever declining city of Texas, a city that was once rich and proud and now it has turned into a little sad and seedy society.

All in all, this is an exceedingly funny and fresh novel, that has exceedingly believable characters, a sensitive and self-deprecating hero and a gritty homespun dialogue. Chasing the Devil Away is the fourth book in this highly entertaining series. Milt Kovak is at this point, Prophesy’s County, Head Deputy. Milt Kovak is now a middle-aged man and is planning to propose to his childhood sweetheart, Glenda Sue. One day, Milt Kovak takes Sue on a rodeo ride. He decides to make his move on Sue; however, Sue gently declines him once more. She even refuses to lay in her trailer. On the following day, Sue’s body is found with cigarettes burns all over and evidence that her throat had been cut.

Due to his emotional involvement, in this case, Milt Kovak is denied access to the case. However, Milt is not willing to let this pass by, without doing his investigation. On the following day, Glenda, Sue’s daughter arrives all the way from California, with her small daughter, Rebecca. Rebeca’s father happens to be black. As Glenda and Rebecca were staying in Milt’s house, Mellisa is knocked down while Rebecca, on the other hand, is locked in the ceiling. Milt’s house, on the other hand, is torn apart. What could the perpetrator’s be looking for in Milt’s house? Why had Sue purchased a one-way ticket to France and where exactly did she get the money. After Rebecca has been kidnapped, Milt discovers that all the incidences that happened were connected to a group of racists. There was a lot of dirty money, which was involved in the dealings. In spite of everything that happens, this story has both pace and suspense. Milt Kovak is an exceedingly delightful narrator both acerbic and bemused.

With that being said, this is a great book that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The story was full of suspense and twists. Milt Kovak is a well-developed character, who will keep you entertained throughout the book. He is also a great sheriff with great instincts.