Order of David Mapstone Books
David Mapstone serves as the central character in American author Jon Talton's compelling mystery series. An unemployed history professor seeking new career opportunities, Mapstone transitions into detective work to make ends meet.
Talton launched the David Mapstone series in 2001 with Concrete Desert, and the series continues to captivate readers today. The following list presents Jon Talton's David Mapstone novels in publication order, which mirrors their chronological sequence:
David Mapstone Series Overview: Concrete Desert marks the debut of Jon Talton's David Mapstone mysteries. After losing his position as a history professor, David Mapstone returns to Phoenix, Arizona, where he grew up, only to discover his hometown has undergone dramatic transformation. The city now caters to affluent retirees and serves as a seasonal escape for West Coast elites, though remnants of Mapstone's past—both pleasant and troubling—still linger. When his longtime friend Mike Peralta, Maricopa County Chief Deputy, offers him temporary work reviewing cold cases to see if any can be solved, Mapstone jumps at the opportunity. Just as he's adjusting to his new role, his former college girlfriend unexpectedly arrives at his doorstep. True to form, she needs a favor: her sister has vanished, and she wants Mapstone to investigate. The case seems straightforward when the sister's body turns up in the desert, but Mapstone is shocked to discover the circumstances mirror a notorious 40-year-old unsolved homicide. His relentless pursuit of the truth in both cases spans generations and cultures, weaving together his personal history with the corrupt world of modern Phoenix—a realm of tainted money, narcotics, and reckless brutality that ensnares young women seeking the high life.
