B

Barbara D’Amato

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 30 Books

8
Series
30
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books
Start with: Hardball (1989)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books
Start with: Killer.App (1996)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Gerritt De Graaf Books
Start with: The Eyes on Utopia Murders (2016)

About Barbara D’Amato

Barbara D’Amato is an American writer, crime researcher, and playwright, who also writes as Malacai Black. Her most known work is the Cat Marsala series that debuted with the 1989 published title “Hardball”. The Cat Marsala series features Cat Marsala, a freelance investigative reporter based in Chicago. Her other works include the Gerritt De Graaf series, the Figueroa and Bennis series, and several freestanding novels. D’Amato has had a very successful career as an author though she worked in several different occupation before she turned professional. She has worked for attorneys researching criminal cases, as stage manager, tiger handler, carpenter making stages for magical illusions shows, assistant surgical orderly, and trainer with the Chicago PD. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series, Barbara D’Amato has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Barbara D’Amato

Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books
9 books 1989–2001
1

Hardball

Hardball is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1989
2

Hard Tack

Hard Tack is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1991
3

Hard Luck

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books with Hard Luck, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1992
4

Hard Women

Hard Women is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1993
5

Hard Case

Hard Case continues the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books story arc with Barbara D’Amato's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
6

Hard Christmas

Hard Christmas is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1995
7

Hard Bargain

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books with Hard Bargain, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1997
8

Hard Evidence

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books with Hard Evidence, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1999
9

Hard Road

Hard Road continues the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books story arc with Barbara D’Amato's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books
5 books 1996–2004
1

Killer.App

A gripping mystery unfolds in Killer.App as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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1996
2

Good Cop, Bad Cop

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books with Good Cop, Bad Cop, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1998
3

Help Me Please

Help Me Please is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1999
4

Authorized Personnel Only

Authorized Personnel Only is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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2000
5

Death of a Thousand Cuts

A gripping mystery unfolds in Death of a Thousand Cuts as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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2004
Publication Order of Gerritt De Graaf Books
2 books 2016–2016
1

The Eyes on Utopia Murders

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Eyes on Utopia Murders as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Gerritt De Graaf Books series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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2016
2

The Hands of Healing Murder

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Hands of Healing Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Gerritt De Graaf Books series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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2016
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
3 books 1989–2011
1

On My Honor

On My Honor is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Barbara D’Amato have come to expect.

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1989
2

White Male Infant

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with White Male Infant, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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2002
3

Other Eyes

Other Eyes continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Barbara D’Amato's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
2 books 1994–1998
1

Soon To Be a Minor Motion Picture

Soon To Be a Minor Motion Picture continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Barbara D’Amato's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
2

Of Course You Know That Chocolate is a Vegetable

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with Of Course You Know That Chocolate is a Vegetable, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1998
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
1 books 1998–1998
1

Of Course You Know That Chocolate is a Vegetable

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with Of Course You Know That Chocolate is a Vegetable, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1998
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
1 books 1992–1992
1

The Doctor, the Murder, the Mystery

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Doctor, the Murder, the Mystery as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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1992
Publication Order of Anthologies
7 books 1994–2016
1

Partners in Crime

The investigation intensifies in Partners in Crime, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Barbara D’Amato's creation.

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1994
2

Malice Domestic 5

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Malice Domestic 5, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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1996
3

Murder on Route 66

A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder on Route 66 as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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1998
4

Sisters on the Case

Sisters on the Case continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Barbara D’Amato's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
5

Crimes by Moonlight

The investigation intensifies in Crimes by Moonlight, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Barbara D’Amato's creation.

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2010
6

Chicago Blues

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Chicago Blues, another outstanding contribution from Barbara D’Amato.

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2014
7

Silent Night, Deadly Night

A gripping mystery unfolds in Silent Night, Deadly Night as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Barbara D’Amato's mastery of suspense.

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2016

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Barbara D’Amato?

Barbara D’Amato is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 30 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books, Publication Order of Figueroa and Bennis Books, Publication Order of Gerritt De Graaf Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Barbara D’Amato series to start with?

For readers new to Barbara D’Amato's work, the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 9 books. Begin with Hardball to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Barbara D’Amato written?

Barbara D’Amato has written over 30 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Barbara D’Amato books in order?

Yes, reading Barbara D’Amato's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Barbara D’Amato write in?

Barbara D’Amato writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 30 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Barbara D’Amato's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Barbara D’Amato's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Barbara D’Amato's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Barbara D’Amato's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Cat Marsala Mystery Books series. The first book, Hardball, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.