Tony Caruso Mystery Books in Order

Tony Caruso is a private investigator in Bend, Oregon, and he is exactly the kind of lead who can carry a regional mystery series. He lives out of an old Ford pickup, brings a retired military skill set to civilian problems, and works with Panzer, his giant schnauzer and bomb-sniffing partner.

Yes, Panzer matters.

Tony's Navy background gives the books their sturdy spine, but the mysteries themselves stay local and human. In Boom Town, he looks into what may or may not be a murder-suicide in a fast-growing Oregon community. In Burst of Sound, the series continues to lean into Central Oregon atmosphere. In Running Game, Tony goes undercover in a wildlife-smuggling case that pushes him from mountain country to Portland and back into the Cascades.

That range is a big part of the fun. These are not drawing-room mysteries. They are outdoor, western, Pacific Northwest crime novels with a practical streak. Tony can read a crime scene, handle himself in danger, and keep moving when the official line does not add up.

Scott also gives the series a good sense of place. Bend and the surrounding country are not generic backdrops. Resort growth, rural edges, forest terrain, and local networks all affect the cases. Tony often finds himself dealing with people who know the land well and use it to their advantage.

If you want a PI series with regional flavor, military competence, and a memorable dog sidekick, Tony Caruso is easy to recommend. Start with Boom Town and read forward. The books are quick, grounded, and very readable.