🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About David Handler
David Handler is the author of the Hoagy and Lulu mysteries and the Mitch and Desiree mysteries. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and started his career in New York as a journalist, and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, before resorting to writing crime friction. Handler has also written short stories, which were nominated for various awards and he was part of the writing team that created ‘Kate and Allie’ an Emmy Award winning sitcom that aired on the CBS network. He has continued writing for TV and film and has also co-authored ‘Gideon’, which proved to be an international bestseller.
All Book Series by David Handler
The Man Who Led a Dream Life
Latest in the series · book 17 of 17 · published 2026
The Book of Virtue
Series opener · book 1 of 40 · published 2012 Anthology · Ken Bruen
Pronghorns of the Third Reich
Book 2 of 40 · published 2012 Anthology · C.J. Box
An Acceptable Sacrifice
Book 5 of 40 · published 2012 Anthology · Jeffery Deaver
The Long Sonata of the Dead
Book 9 of 40 · published 2013 Anthology · Andrew Taylor
The Book of Ghosts
Book 10 of 40 · published 2013 Anthology · Reed Farrel Coleman
The Compendium of Srem
Book 11 of 40 · published 2014 Anthology · F. Paul Wilson
The Nature of My Inheritance
Book 17 of 40 · published 2014 Anthology · Bradford Morrow
It's in the Book
Book 18 of 40 · published 2014 Anthology · Max Allan Collins,Mickey Spillane
Reconciliation Day
Book 28 of 40 · published 2016 Anthology · Christopher Fowler
The Hemingway Valise
Book 34 of 40 · published 2018 Anthology · Robert Olen Butler
The Last Honest Horse Thief
Book 35 of 40 · published 2018 Anthology · Michael Koryta
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository
Book 36 of 40 · published 2018 Anthology · John Connolly
The Honeymoon Trap
Latest in the series · book 40 of 40 · published 2022 Anthology · Peter Swanson
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Handler?
David Handler is the author of the Hoagy and Lulu mysteries and the Mitch and Desiree mysteries. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and started his career in New York as a journalist, and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, before resorting to writing crime friction. Handler has also written short stories, which were nominated for various awards and he was part of the writing team that created 'Kate and Allie’ an Emmy Award winning sitcom that aired on the CBS network.
Which David Handler series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Stewart Hoag & Lulu series, the earliest of David Handler's multi-book series: it opens with The Man Who Died Laughing (1988) and runs to 17 books across 1988–2026, ending with The Man Who Led a Dream Life (2026). David Handler's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has David Handler written?
David Handler has 79 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1986 and 2026. 75 of them belong to 6 named series — the largest being the Stewart Hoag & Lulu series with 17 books — and 4 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should David Handler's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. David Handler's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Danny Levine (1986–1988, 2 books), Stewart Hoag & Lulu (1988–2026, 17 books) and Berger and Mitry (2001–2016, 11 books), plus 2 more.
How are David Handler's books organised into series?
This guide splits David Handler's 79 books into 6 named series and 4 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Stewart Hoag & Lulu (17 books, 1988–2026); Berger and Mitry (11 books, 2001–2016); Justin Westwood (3 books, 2003–2007); Danny Levine (2 books, 1986–1988); Benji Golden (2 books, 2013–2015), plus 1 further series.