Steven Havill Books In Order
At a Glance
Steven F. Havill is an American author who has written 2 mystery series and several western standalone novels. Reading the Steven Havill books in order includes his popular series is the Posadas County Mystery, set in New Mexico. It currently has 19 books, with the latest novel, Easy Errors, published in 2017.
One might argue that there are two separate mystery series written by the author, with the first series called Bill Gastner Mysteries being separate from the Posadas County series.
The reason is that after Bill Gastner retired from his job as a sheriff, Estella Reyes-Guzman, the new Undersheriff took over the job. I will list them separately as well, because the later book are really not about the retired Bill anymore.
Steven F. Havill (website) was born in 1945 in New York and currently lives with his wife in Raton, New Mexico.
The author was also a teacher, and through his work, he studied medicine for over 30 years, knowledge which he transferred in many of his books.
The first Steven F. Havill book, Heartshot, which is also the first in the Bill Gastner series, was published in 1991. The story is set in Ruidoso, New Mexico, in southwestern New Mexico. Posados country is an imaginary border country.
When the series started with the first book, Bill Gastner was already fast approaching retirement, as he was 60 at the time. That’s why the original series is relatively short, with only nine main books, which is then followed by the Posadas Country series that goes on even until today.
Early Errors, the author’s latest novel in his Posadas County Mystery series, published in 2017, is a prequel of the series which takes us back to 1986 when Bill Gastner was an undersheriff.
The story focuses mostly on Deputy Robert Torrez’s first big case from back then. The book is, in fact, a prequel to the prequel, One Perfect Shot (which is Bill Gastner novella #0.5).
The Steven Havill books in order are listed based on their publication date, with the chronological order in brackets next to the release date.
Bill Gastner Mystery Series
- Heartshot (Bill Gastner #1), 1991
- Bitter Recoil (Bill Gastner #2), 1992
- Twice Buried (Bill Gastner #3), 1994
- Before She Dies (Bill Gastner #4), 1996
- Privileged to Kill (Bill Gastner #5), 1997
- Prolonged Exposure (Bill Gastner #6), 1998
- Out of Season (Bill Gastner #7), 1999
- Dead Weight (Bill Gastner #8), 2000
- Bag Limit (Bill Gastner #9), 2001
- One Perfect Shot (Bill Gastner #0.5), 2012
One Perfect Shot was written in 2012, however, it is the prequel to the Bill Gastner Mystery series. It is the book that introduces Estelle Reyes, so for newcomers to the series, this is the perfect book to sink your teeth into, before starting with Heartshot.
Posadas County Mystery Series
- Scavengers (Posadas County #1), 2002
- A Discount for Death (Posadas County #2), 2003
- Convenient Disposal (Posadas County #3), 2004
- Statute of Limitations (Posadas County #4), 2006
- Final Payment (Posadas County #5), 2007
- The Fourth Time is Murder (Posadas County #6), 2008
- Red, Green, or Murder (Posadas County #7), 2009
- Double Prey (Posadas County #8), 2010
- NightZone (Posadas County #9), 2013
- Blood Sweep (Posadas County #10), 2015
- Come Dark (Posadas County #11), 2016
- Easy Errors (Posadas County #12), 2017
- Lies Come Easy (Posadas County #13), 2018
Dr. Thomas Parks Series
Historical mystery series set in a logging town in coastal Washington State in 1891 about a young man, Dr.Parks, who, after finishing medical school in Pennsylvania, goes to Port McKinney to join his dad’s friend’s medical practice, in order to practice trauma medicine.
- Race for the Dying (Thomas Parks #1), 2009
- Comes a Time for Burning (Thomas Parks #2), 2010
Standalone Steven H. Havill Books (Westerns)
- The Killer, 1981
- The Worst Enemy, 1982
- Leadfire, 1984
- Timber Blood, 1986
I’ve recently discovered the Havill books and found three in my local library. Are any available in paperbacks? They are enjoyable and well written.
We only recently discovered Steven Havill’s novels and have thoroughly enjoyed them. It’s nice to read books that take place in areas we know. We live in Las Cruces. I’ve lost a lot of sleep reading “just one or two more pages” on these books. They keep your attention and I think they are well written.
I only wish I had tuned in to Mr. Havill’s fine series earlier! However, now, I get to binge read! The subtle description of the people and culture is right-on-target, as is the less subtle picture of the landscape. The character development is endearing. How in the world did he build little Francisco?
Love this series – have both on my Kindle and read over and over. I am moving and have packed all my other books And guess who I am reading. Please write more please please!!!!
I know there are lots of readers like me who would like to see more sequel/prequels in print to share more of Under sheriff Bill with us. You had good success with the story about deputy Robert Torrez when he started , , and I know there are a lot of us who would like to read more about Sheriff Bill’s early days on the force. There could be another 10 or 12 books that would cover that time span. I bet you didn’t think that Sheriff Bill would be so popular or you would have started him out a lot younger. PLEASE, PLEASE, GIVE US MORE UNDER SHERIFF BILL !!!
I loved this series so much I read all the books this past summer. I keep checking to see if there is a new one after “Lies Come Easy”. I wasn’t happy there was a 4 year gap in the lives of Estelle’s children. A lot of good stories could have been written during those years.
Hope there will be sequel to ‘Lies Come Easy”… not ready for the series to end.
I am enjoying this series very much. I live in Las Cruces
NM. And would like to tell the author that in this state the green
Hot pepper is spelled CHILE. Not chili.
I hope there will be more Gastner books! I want to see what develops with his new career!!!
I have the last two Steven Havill books left to read. I have enjoyed them all although I will miss Bill Gastner.
Barbara