Thomas L. Scott Books In Order

Publication Order of Detective Virgil Jones Books

Publication Order of Jack Bellows Books

Thomas L Scott is a mystery suspense and thriller novelist from Indiana best known as the author of the “Virgil Jones Mystery” series. The novels are standalone full length novels set in the Midwest. The debut novel of the series was “State of Anger” otherwise known as “Voodoo Daddy” that was first published in 2012. Each novel comes full of gripping suspense, action, thrills and mystery. There is also a fair amount of romance and humor. Even though there are hardly any cliff hangers, many of the colorful characters reappear in subsequent novels. Scott also writes his novels with true to life conversations that will delight his readers. It is for this reason that the “Virgin Jones” mystery series have gained much traction across the world. While he is now a full time author, Thomas L Scott was once upon a time an airline pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot Rating. He was at some point Director of Flight Operations, and Chief Pilot for a private company that ran charter transport flights. He currently lives with Debra his wife and their four children, their dog Buster and Cat Lucy in northern Indiana.

While Scott does have some common characteristics with Virgil his lead character, he has asserted that the character is not based on him. The character is an amalgamation of different qualities and quirks he has seen in people over the years. The stories of the series are set in Indiana which is where Thomas L Scott grew up and still lives. He loves the state for its character, history and great people and has never thought about leaving. Of course he is smart enough to acknowledge that there will always be a few bad apples but that makes his job easier and makes things more interesting. Just like the likes of Connelly with Los Angeles, White with Colorado, Burke with Louisiana and Sandford with Minnesota, he intends to do justice to Indiana with his novels. Moreover, there is a dearth of mystery authors who have written stories in Indiana which is a shame given that it is the heartland of the Midwest. In writing the novels, he has asserted that he wanted to go where no one else had tread.

“Voodoo Daddy ” the first novel of the series introduces Detective Virgil Jones of the Indiana State Major Crimes Unit. Since he is the lead detective of the crime unit, he only works in the toughest cases in Indiana. This time around he has to deal with a city on the brink, on the edge of panic as serial snipers are on the loose in Indianapolis. They have been choosing their victims at random killing with impunity. While at first it is believed they are choosing victims at random over time it does seem to be that there is a method to the madness. They usually leave behind very little evidence and there are no witnesses making the cases very hard to crack. It is up to Virgil who also has his own professional problems to try to crack the case. It is not a great time as he has a huge backlog of cases he has to take care of and his long lost friend that has come out of jail is back in town. He is also in love with one of the investigators in his unit named Sandy Small and has to run a small bar he co-owns with his father. All residents of the city are at risk and it is up to Sandy and Virgil to explore the dark recesses of a past that is nothing they were expecting. As the clues start falling into place, they unearth a complex web of greed, betrayal, blood lust and deceit. In the middle of it all, Sandy and Virgil discover something so profound that their lives will never be the same again.

Thomas L Scott’s novel “State of Betrayal” is set two decades ago where James Pope was killed in front of his children Nicole and Nicholas. Virgil Jones was the rookie police officer that did the shooting. And the dead man’s children who are now grownups looking to avenge the death of their father. But twenty years is a long time and Virgil Jones the detective no longer thinks of the accidental shooting of James Pope. He is currently recovering after he was kidnapped and brutally tortured working on another case. He cannot live without pain killers and the governor let him go from his position on the Major Crimes Unit of the Indiana State Police. His life seems to be spiraling out of control unless something is urgently done. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to the governor intends to privatize the prison system in the state and intends to tap into the unclaimed lottery winnings of the state to und his plan. But the man that has been awarded the contract is the father of the deranged kidnapper that tortured Virgil to near death. Virgil still has to deal with the danger of the Pope siblings who are coming for him. There are only two days before the deadline for collecting the lottery winnings which have hit all time highs. It does seem as if the siblings have decided to take the winnings while at the same time avenging their father. But then Nicholas Pope disappears and his sister Nicole turns to Virgil Jones for help.

“State of Control,” the third novel by Thomas L Scott is a novel set in Shelby County Indiana, where several mega farmers are just about to make the biggest deal ever. It is during a dry season that threatens to destroy their entire crop and they come together to dig irrigation wells. But in their efforts, they hit upon a rich vein of natural gas. They quickly make a deal with some international company and are set to transform from farming powerhouse to multimillion dollar fracking cooperative. But one of the farmers is against the idea. Virgil is enjoying his time at home when he gets a call from his former boss who informs him that the governor wants to set up a private meeting. He does now know and does not care what it is about after the governor fired him from the Major Crimes Unit several months past. Besides has life has never been better and he is expecting his first child with Sandy his wife. He also has two businesses that include a private investigation company and a Jamaican themed bar in the downtown area that is run by Murton Wheeler his brother. But he is about to learn that time is often never linear and that events from the past may reoccur and force him to face up to choices no man should ever be told to make.

2 Responses to “Thomas L. Scott”

1. Patti Harris: 2 years ago

   Hi, I’ve read the first 12 Virgil Jones “State of” novels. Thoroughly enjoy them. I’m wondering if I should read Wayward Strangers before I read State of Mind next? Thank you

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Hi Patti – that one is from the Jack Bellows series and there is no real connection to the State of novels. It does get great reviews so is worth reading but you could read State of Mind next no problem.

     Reply