Thomas Black Books in Order
Part ofEarl Emerson Books in OrderExplore Earl Emerson's Thomas Black books in order, following the Seattle private investigator through missing persons, conspiracies, and murder cases.
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Thomas Black books in publication order
15 books
Poverty Bay
by Earl Emerson
1985
When idealistic heir Lance Tyner disappears, Thomas Black investigates a family with competing designs on his fortune. Following Lance's trail takes the private investigator into dangerous surroundings where his client's generosity may have made him vulnerable.
The Rainy City
by Earl Emerson
1985
Thomas Black searches for Melissa Nadisky after she abandons her husband and daughter. What begins as a missing-person case turns deadly when witnesses are killed and Kathy Birchfield experiences a disturbing vision connected to the investigation.
Nervous Laughter
by Earl Emerson
1986
While following a suspected adulterer, Thomas Black discovers two bodies in an apparent murder-suicide. The dead man's widow rejects that explanation, drawing Black into a case in which even his own client appears to hide something.
Fat Tuesday
by Earl Emerson
1987
A dead rattlesnake sent to Fred Pugsley brings Thomas Black and lawyer Kathy Birchfield to investigate. Finding Fred murdered and his wife holding the apparent weapon, they pursue conflicting explanations amid Seattle's Mardi Gras celebrations.
Deviant Behavior
by Earl Emerson
1988
Wealthy parents hire Thomas Black to find their missing teenage son, whose interest in suicide worries his mother. With Kathy Birchfield's help, Black uncovers connections to old crimes, hidden money, and possible murder.
Yellow Dog Party
by Earl Emerson
1991
Hired to locate four businessmen's dream women, Thomas Black is attacked by men wearing pig masks. His search becomes personal as he pursues his assailants and follows buried secrets that lead toward murder.
The Portland Laugher
by Earl Emerson
1994
Thomas Black accepts an unusual assignment protecting ex-convict Billy Battle from a stalker. The case leaves Black hospitalized with memory loss, while calls from a laughing stranger suggest that the danger is far from over.
The Vanishing Smile
by Earl Emerson
1995
After amateur investigator Marian Wright dies, Thomas Black continues her search for two women's former lovers. A disturbing link connects the people he encounters, while a violent attacker tries to keep him from pursuing the case.
The Million-Dollar Tattoo
by Earl Emerson
1996
Fellow investigator Snake Slezak calls Thomas Black after finding a woman dead in his bed, insisting she came from outer space. Black investigates the murder while navigating his friend's paranoia and a corporation's tempting financial offer.
Deception Pass
by Earl Emerson
1997
Lainie Smith hires Thomas Black to deal with a blackmailer who knows impossible details about her past. Her former connection to an executed drifter and killings at Deception Pass complicates her efforts to keep secrets buried.
Catfish Cafe
by Earl Emerson
1998
Thomas Black and former partner Luther Little investigate the disappearance of Luther's daughter Balinda. A wrecked car and a murdered teacher lead them toward her former workplace, a diner with troubling secrets beneath its ordinary appearance.
Cape Disappointment
by Earl Emerson
2009
Thomas Black survives a bombing while his wife Kathy is presumed dead after a plane crash. Strange calls and sightings challenge the official account, drawing him into a conspiracy intertwined with a Senate campaign.
Monica's Sister
by Earl Emerson
2013
A favor for Angela Bassman entangles Thomas Black in a billionaire's troubled marriage. After Angela dies, her sister hires him to investigate, sending him through threats and revelations concerning both women's carefully concealed histories.
Two Miles of Darkness
by Earl Emerson
2015
Thomas Black's search for a missing dog leads to a suspicious multiple death and connections to his wealthy client. With Snake Slezak, he uncovers a gambling ring whose participants wager on destroying other people's lives.
Jackson Street
by Earl Emerson
2017
Attacked and thrown from a ferry, Thomas Black suspects his investigation of a police brutality lawsuit. The discovery of a mummy while tailing a businessman draws him toward an older conspiracy involving murder and racial hatred.
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