Greg Herren Books In Order

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Greg Herren

Greg Herren is a writer from New Orleans, and he also helps run a springtime book festival in the same city called the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. He focuses on young adult mysteries and horror, two genres where keeping a reader’s attention really matters. His years of experience come through in how steady and reliable his books feel. There is nothing over the top or forced in the way he tells a story.

One of his real strengths as a writer is how he builds characters who seem like actual people you might meet. His protagonists have their own worries, small jokes, and quiet courage, which makes them easy to root for. Instead of relying on cheap scares or confusing plots, he lets the reader care about what happens next. That sense of caring is what makes his stories so entertaining to read from start to finish.

He also has a real gift for shaping a narrative that pulls you along without ever feeling rushed or messy. The pacing feels natural, and the mystery stays interesting without getting lost in too many details. This clean, human approach to storytelling works especially well for younger readers who want something spooky but not overwhelming. In the end, Greg Herren simply knows how to make a book hard to put down.

Herren writes stories that feel honest to his own point of view, and that honesty is part of what connects with people far beyond New Orleans. He does not chase trends or try to copy what is popular at the moment. Instead, he puts his own experiences and sense of place into every mystery and horror novel. This grounded approach gives his work a unique flavor that stands out in a crowded market.

Looking ahead, Greg Herren shows no sign of stopping. He continues to live and work in New Orleans, a city that keeps feeding his imagination. More young adult mysteries and horror stories are likely on the way from him. Readers can expect the same honest characters and clean, engaging plots that he is known for.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1961, as a kid growing up in Alabama in the 1960s and 70s, Greg Herren found early joy in getting lost inside books. That simple love of reading slowly turned into a want to write his own stories. Like many popular authors, he paid attention to the kinds of tales that made him feel something, and that curiosity never really left him.

Over time, he pulled inspiration from the world around him, including the people he met and the places he lived. Moving to New Orleans gave him a fresh backdrop, and working as an HIV/AIDS counselor and educator added real life experience to his toolkit. He grew as a writer by staying open to those daily moments, turning ordinary observations into the kind of mysteries and horror novels that click with young adult readers.

He also helped start the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, a springtime event in New Orleans that brings writers and readers together. Being openly gay, he found a community there that pushed him to keep creating. That mix of personal honesty and steady hard work is what shaped him into the author he is today, with more stories still ahead.

Writing Career

Greg Herren has built a strong writing career over the years, especially in young adult mystery and horror. His novel Murder in the Rue Chartres took home a Lambda Literary Award in the Gay Mystery category back in 2008. He also helped edit an anthology called Love, Bourbon Street, which won in the anthologies category at the same awards in 2007.

Beyond those wins, he has received multiple award nominations for his work. These include nods for earlier mysteries like Murder in the Rue Dauphine and Bourbon Street Blues, plus later titles such as Mardi Gras Mambo and Vieux Carré Voodoo. He has also been nominated for anthologies he edited, including Night Shadows with J.M. Redmann, and as Todd Gregory for erotica collections like Rough Trade and Raising Hell. He continues to write, so more stories are still on the way.

Vieux Carré Voodoo

Greg Herren wrote “Vieux Carré Voodoo,” which came out on May 1, 2010. Bold Strokes Books served as its publisher. This mystery thriller stands as the fourth entry in the Scotty Bradley series.

Scotty Bradley used to work as a go go dancer, and now he solves mysteries. His life shifts from dull to thrilling when an older family friend dies by suicide from a French Quarter balcony. The man’s apartment has been torn apart, so someone was clearly hunting for something. Scotty teams up with Frank, his unusual family, and a few friends, and then a familiar face shows up to put both his safety and his feelings at risk.

Many will find this mystery to be a fun and fast moving read. The return of a familiar face adds a nice layer of interest. Any fan of the series would probably enjoy watching Scotty chase down clues again. The book seems like a solid choice for someone wanting a light thriller.

Murder in the Garden District

Greg Herren is the author of “Murder in the Garden District.” This mystery thriller came out on January 1, 2009. Alyson Pubns released the book, which is the fifth title in the Chanse MacLeod series.

A top candidate for an upcoming senate race comes from a famous Louisiana political family. He gets shot and killed inside his own big house in the Garden District. The police focus on his second wife, who is much younger and has a shaky history. Detective Chanse MacLeod steps into this case, finds hidden secrets about the family, and realizes someone wants those truths to stay buried.

Readers will enjoy this mystery as a tight and engaging story. Watching Chanse MacLeod dig into a powerful family’s secrets keeps the pages turning. The book moves at a good pace without feeling rushed. Anyone who likes a solid whodunit would probably enjoy this one.