Murder in Mexico Books In Order

Publication Order of Murder in Mexico Books

Murder in Mexico Series
An American author living in Mexico, the writer John Scherber is well known for his masterful use of suspense and intelligent style of writing. Really involving the reader, he manages to keep them constantly engaged throughout each of his novels, as he has a really compelling approach to the form. Creating a number of different mysteries over the years, he always manages to keep the reader continually guessing throughout, right till the last page. This has proven to be a hugely successful formula, reaching readers internationally, gaining him a worldwide following, fast becoming a household name. This has also proven successful when it comes to writing his many series and franchises over the years as well. One such series is that of his long-running ‘Murder in Mexico’ series of novels, which have seen him become a household name for many.

Beginning back in 2010, they’ve been running since then, with twenty-four books in the series, as they have room to carry on indefinitely. Featuring the character of Paul Zacher, it sees him as an amateur sleuth solving various different mysteries as the series progresses. This would lead to the series also being known as the ‘Paul Zacher Mysteries’ series, as the character would progress from a painter into becoming lead investigator later on. There were also compendiums with the books collected together, and there would be around five of these in total.

Twenty Centavos
Initially released through the Outskirts Press publishing label, this would be the first in the ‘Murder in Mexico’ series of novels. Setting up the series for the first time, it would introduce the character of Paul Zacher, under whose name the series would also be known as. Originally brought out back in 2010 on the 29th of June in 2010, it would pave the way for the following books to come.

Taking place in Mexico, Scherber really makes full use of the location, knowing it well with him living and writing there. The surrounding environment definitely comes to life for the duration of the novel, as it almost becomes a character in of itself. Bringing the reader in, it allows them to feel as if they’re there themselves, as Scherber writes in both a vivid and vibrant style.

The characters themselves are also very well drawn, as they’re all introduced for the very first time, establishing them for the novels to come. Looking at the police in Mexico and the communities living there, it covers a lot of ground, with many different themes and ideas present. This is something that Scherber also clearly excels at, combining it with his now trademark use of suspense and tension.

Set in San Miguel de Allende, this sees Paul Zacher, a painter living there, preparing for an art show that he has planned in the Yucatan. This then leads to a murder investigation after a prominent art dealer is shot dead in the head, and a twenty centavo has been left inside of his mouth. With the help of his girlfriend, Maya Sanchez, Paul aims to find out what really happened here, along with the assistance of detective Cody Williams. Can Zacher stay out of the sights of the killer though? Will he find the murderer before it’s too late? What is the truth behind the twenty centavos?

The Fifth Codex
This time brought out through the San Miguel Allende Book publishing outlet, this would be the second title in the ‘Murder in Mexico’ series. Initially published in 2010 too, this would come out in September on the 29th, continuing on from where the previous one left off. It would also pave the way for the third book to follow, along with the rest of the mysteries, developing both the characters and the world.

Providing a fast and highly effective follow-up to the previous novel, this is an extremely taut and well told thriller novel. The characters are all also substantially developed, including that of Paul Zacher’s character, as he becomes his own personal essentially. There’s plenty of substance and imagination present here throughout, as Scherber juggles a variety of different narrative threads with expert precision. It also works really well in developing the world overall, giving the characters and Mexico itself a lot more depth.

Working as a detective now, Paul Zacher is fast becoming known for his abilities, while still working as a painter too. Looking to safely transport a Mayan codex from the 1500s of which there’s only four of in existence, he must contend with a number of different parties. There’s a private collector interested, along with rebels from Chiapas and the Mexican government, as all three of them find themselves in a three-way struggle. Then there’s a kidnapping, followed by a murder, which Zacher himself is implicated in, as he finds himself up against the clock to solve the case. Can he do it in time and find the real killer? What is the truth behind it all? Will he be able to safely transport the fifth codex?

Brushwork
The third book in the ‘Murder in Mexico’ series of novels, this would again pick-up from where the previous two finished. It would also pave the way for the fourth titled ‘Daddy’s Girl’ which would be published in 2011, along with the fifth book ‘Strike Zone’ coming out that same year. Brushwork would come out through the ‘San Miguel Allende Books’ publishing label once more, with it being released in 2011 on the 6th of April. Providing another highly effective thriller, it sees Paul Zacher himself attempting to prove his own innocence in a case of murder.

The Murder in Mexico Series
Overall this series is a masterful collection of mysteries, really exemplifying the best that the genre has to offer as a whole. The books move along at a funny and fast pace, allowing the reader to full invest themselves in the many stories throughout at every stage. As the series continues to find readers worldwide to this very day, there’s a lot more room for this series to continue growing in the years to come.