I would like to hear opinions on the J.A. Konrath series (Whiskey Sour et al). A friend of mine got me the book Dirty Martini which I haven't read yet and I'm wondering what the mystery/thriller readers think of these. I have plenty on my TBR list and I keep putting off reading any of these books. Do they need to be read in order? Thanks for any responses.   Jeanne

While I was checking the spelling (since I hadn't turned it up yet in my search of my email folder), I found the author website.

http://www.jakonrath.com/history.html

According to the FAQ, 

Does the series have to be read in order?

  No. I make sure each book stands on its own, so you can pick up the series anywhere. But for those who want to, it goes:

ETA:  Your spelling was fine, BTW.  The search only turned up 3 messages and none mentioned the order issue.  Sorry I can't help more.

Hi Diana! I went to that link you sent and what a hoot that was. This guy has a great sense of humor! Thanks for responding - most helpful.

Love them!  It's one of my very favorite series :)

I really love this series.  In my opinion, it is better to read them in order.  Some of the villians in the books have connections to each other and reappear in later books.  There are also character developments that I think would best be understood if they were read in order.  I have only the fifth in the series, Fuzzy Navel, left to read.  I have been putting it off because I know there is a cliffhanger at the end that will not be answered until the new book comes out next summer.  I know when I do read it that I will hate having to wait to find out the ending.  By the way, Cherry Bomb, the sixth book in the series, is in the system right now. 

Okay, Lisa and Susan, I'm going to be reading this series and really looking forward to it! Thank you all so much. Jeanne

I may have to try them myself :)

It's a fabulous series. I do agree with Lisa, and with due respect to the author, that the books need to be read in order. While they may technically "stand alone", there is backstory that builds up with each that makes subsequent readings much more enjoyable, even if not "necessary".

As for his website, the link above goes to his "old" page. The new version can be visited here. But, on the old version there is a hidden page (challenge starts here). If you can find it and then follow the instructions he sends you some fun stuff in the mail! :-)

And for those who don't want to search it out, the series order is: 

• Whiskey Sour
• Bloody Mary
• Rusty Nail 
• Dirty Martini 
• Fuzzy Navel 
• Cherry Bomb (scheduled release date July 7, 2009)

Okay, I now have the first four books in this series, so I'm going to read them in order. I am so glad that I asked this question and received such great feedback. Thanks to all of you!

I liked the first book, but found the next 2 full of contrived violence. The auhor uses the same "bad guys" and the good guys never learn.  I stopped reading the series after that.  Maybe it's me.

I just "discovered" this author from his short story SA in the anthology Wolfsbane and Mistletoe.  I love his sense of humor and can't wait to read his other books.