Victoria Houston Books in Order: The Loon Lake Mysteries and Lew Ferris Series
Victoria Houston writes mysteries that bring together small-town secrets, murder investigations, memorable characters, and the outdoors. Her stories are set around Loon Lake in northern Wisconsin, where fishing is more than a hobby and even a peaceful summer day can turn into a dangerous investigation. Retired dentist Doc Osborne and police chief Lew Ferris are central to the earlier books, combining their knowledge of the community with their investigative skills.
The author’s bibliography can be a little confusing because the original Loon Lake mysteries and the newer Lew Ferris books are sometimes listed as separate series. The newer novels continue following Lew, but she has moved into a different role in the community. This guide separates the two sequences and includes the publication order of each novel, along with a few notes about her other books.
Victoria Houston Books in Order by Series
Victoria Houston’s mystery fiction is primarily organized around two connected groups: the original Loon Lake Mystery series and the newer Lew Ferris series. Reading them in publication order is the easiest way to follow the characters and their changing lives.
1. Loon Lake Mystery Series in Order
The Loon Lake Mystery series contains 19 novels published between 2000 and 2018. The stories follow Lewellyn “Lew” Ferris, a police chief and skilled fly fisher, and her friend Doc Osborne, a retired dentist who often helps with investigations.
The Northwoods setting is an important part of the series. Fishing tournaments, lakeside properties, local businesses, family disputes, and the secrets of small-town residents often become part of the mysteries.
1. Dead Angler (2000)
Retired dentist Paul Osborne has stepped away from fly fishing since the death of his wife. His quiet life changes when he meets Lewellyn Ferris, a police chief who shares his interest in fishing. When they discover a body floating in the water, Doc becomes involved in a murder investigation. This first book introduces the central characters and the fictional community of Loon Lake.
2. Dead Creek (2000)
Doc Osborne enjoys spending time with Lew Ferris, especially when their fishing trips offer an opportunity to investigate the town’s criminal activity. However, someone is determined to keep a particular truth hidden. As the danger grows, Doc and Lew discover that the secrets of Loon Lake can be much more threatening than they first appear.
3. Dead Water (2001)
The third mystery returns readers to the fishing community of Loon Lake, where seemingly ordinary lives conceal complicated problems. Lew and Doc become involved in another investigation that challenges their knowledge of the people around them. The book continues the series’ blend of regional atmosphere, friendship, and crime-solving.
4. Dead Frenzy (2003)
Loon Lake becomes unusually busy with competitive bass fishermen, bikers, and other visitors. At the same time, Doc is determined to solve an old murder case and finds himself being watched by a mysterious visitor. A motorcycle rally, a fishing tournament, drugs, and valuable fishing lures all become part of a dangerous situation.
5. Dead Hot Mama (2004)
Fishing season brings more than cold weather to Loon Lake. Two snowmobilers are found dead, and another woman’s body turns up in a snowdrift. Lew and Doc investigate the deaths while trying to understand whether they are connected to a drug deal or something more sinister.
6. Dead Jitterbug (2005)
Hope McDonald is a well-known advice columnist whose readers number in the millions. When she is found murdered in her home, Lew has to consider the many people who might have had a reason to harm her. Doc joins the investigation as they try to identify the killer among those whose lives Hope had touched.
7. Dead Boogie (2006)
A triple homicide on a backcountry road shakes the Loon Lake community. The victims include Peg Garmin, a woman whose reputation makes the investigation particularly complicated. As Lew, Doc, and local fishing guide Ray Pradt look into her past, they uncover connections to a wealthy Chicago family and a buried secret.
8. Dead Madonna (2007)
The discovery of two murdered women creates a difficult investigation for Lew Ferris. One body is found floating beneath a party pontoon, while another victim is discovered in her home. Doc helps Lew investigate the apparently separate crimes, and their search reveals connections involving wealthy visitors, local residents, and stolen money.
9. Dead Hot Shot (2008)
A Thanksgiving holiday becomes anything but peaceful when several bodies begin turning up around Loon Lake. Lew is already short-handed, and Doc is hoping for a quiet day, but the investigation quickly becomes more complicated. Credit card theft, family problems, and a Canadian connection add further challenges for the investigators.
10. Dead Renegade (2009)
Doc is helping his daughter Erin with a legal matter involving an elderly client when an unexpected discovery changes the situation. Human remains emerge from an antique chest, bringing an old mystery into the present. Lew and Doc must investigate the circumstances surrounding the remains and uncover the story behind them.
11. Dead Deceiver (2011)
A woman is discovered dead beneath a wooden bridge on a cross-country ski trail. Another woman claims she is being stalked, and an international ice fishing festival brings additional activity to Loon Lake. Lew must work through several disturbing developments to understand what connects the cases.
12. Dead Tease (2012)
A seemingly peaceful summer morning turns into a complicated murder investigation when a young woman is found dead beneath a party pontoon. Another prominent widow is also discovered murdered, and Lew has to investigate both cases. Doc assists with the investigation as financial irregularities and suspicious relationships begin to emerge.
13. Dead Insider (2013)
During a major flood, parts of a Wisconsin political candidate’s dismembered body are discovered in the water near Loon Lake. Lew investigates with help from Doc Osborne as media attention grows. A campaign fund shortage, questionable relationships, and several suspicious individuals make the case increasingly complicated.
14. Dead Lil’ Hustler (2014)
Lew faces two serious investigations when the remains of a missing bank executive and a murdered graduate student are discovered in a remote area of the national forest. The location is also known as a dangerous gathering place for wolves. Doc has family concerns of his own, while Lew becomes interested in the father of the murdered student.
15. Dead Rapunzel (2015)
A wealthy widow is killed when a logging truck runs her down on an icy street. The driver claims he saw someone push her into the truck’s path, but a potential witness is soon found dead as well. Lew and Doc investigate a complicated collection of family conflicts, strange events, and possible motives surrounding the widow’s property.
16. Dead Loudmouth (2016)
Lew is called to investigate a horrific incident involving a local gentleman’s club. The business is connected to a wealthy Wisconsin family, and the circumstances suggest that the apparent accident may actually be murder. Doc assists Lew with the investigation, while other personal problems make the situation even more difficult.
17. Dead Spider (2017)
A murder takes place near the end of the annual Loon Lake Youth Fishing Tournament. The victim is a wealthy man, and the circumstances surrounding his death raise several questions. Lew also has to deal with a drug-related problem involving Doc’s granddaughter and a series of thefts affecting elderly residents at a nursing home.
18. Dead Firefly (2018)
Doc is startled when an acquaintance tells him that his wife and the chief executive of his company have tried to run him over. Before Doc can get Lew’s attention, she is busy with several law enforcement investigations across Wisconsin. The cases involve stolen trees, suspicious property dealings, and multiple deaths, making it another dangerous summer in Loon Lake.
19. Dead Big Dawg (2018)
The nineteenth Loon Lake mystery brings Lew into an investigation involving the deaths of a wealthy Chicago industrialist and his wife. A local lawyer also disappears, while a computer belonging to a sawmill operation becomes the target of foreign hackers. Doc’s forensic knowledge once again becomes useful as the investigation grows more complicated.
2. Lew Ferris Series in Order
The newer Lew Ferris series returns to the character introduced in the Loon Lake mysteries. By this point, Lew has moved into the role of sheriff, and the investigations bring her into contact with new crimes and challenges around northern Wisconsin.
The series currently has four novels, beginning with Wolf Hollow in 2022 and continuing through The Wolves Are Watching in 2026.
1. Wolf Hollow (2022)
Lew Ferris investigates a murder in the Wisconsin Northwoods, where the peaceful landscape hides a disturbing crime. The case brings her into contact with the people who live and work around the region, including those whose knowledge of the wilderness may help solve the mystery. This novel begins the newer Lew Ferris series.
2. Hidden in the Pines (2023)
Lew returns for another investigation involving the people and secrets of northern Wisconsin. The story combines a crime mystery with the outdoor setting that has become a defining feature of Houston’s novels. It continues Lew’s development as a law enforcement leader.
3. At the Edge of the Woods (2024)
A series of attacks on pickleball players initially looks like a possible hunting accident. But when another player is killed, Lew realizes that someone may be deliberately targeting people. The investigation also involves environmental concerns, a proposed mining project, and personal problems that threaten to distract her from the case.
4. The Wolves Are Watching (2026)
Lew faces a particularly challenging investigation involving a high school fishing tournament, blackmail, and illegal betting. A young competitor disappears into the woods after being threatened, while another mystery involves a couple who vanish during a wolf-watching trip. The case brings together several dangerous elements, including arms dealing, sports betting, and the wildlife of the Northwoods.
Victoria Houston Standalone and Nonfiction Books
Victoria Houston has also written nonfiction books, including titles about family life, relationships, and personal well-being. These works are separate from her mystery fiction and do not need to be read in any particular order.
1. Alone After School: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (1985)
This nonfiction book focuses on children who spend time at home without adult supervision after school. It offers guidance for parents and families dealing with the practical and emotional challenges of latchkey arrangements. It reflects Houston’s interest in family issues beyond her later mystery novels.
2. Loving a Younger Man: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (1987)
This book explores relationships in which the woman is older than her male partner. It discusses the social expectations and personal questions that can arise in such relationships. It is a nonfiction title rather than a mystery novel.
3. Making It Work: Finding the Time and Energy for Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (1990)
Houston explores the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with family and personal life. The book focuses on practical ways to manage competing demands. It was also published in a later edition under the title Making It Work: Creative Solutions for Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children and Personal Life.
4. Restore Yourself! (2001)
This nonfiction book discusses hormone therapy and women’s health, particularly questions surrounding testosterone and menopause. It was written with a medical professional and aims to explain a topic that was receiving growing public attention at the time. It is unrelated to the Loon Lake mysteries.
Where Should You Start Reading Victoria Houston?
If you are new to Victoria Houston’s books, the best starting point is Dead Angler. It introduces Lew Ferris, Doc Osborne, and the Northwoods community that gives the original series its distinctive atmosphere.
Here are a few ways to choose your starting point:
- For the complete original mystery sequence: Begin with Dead Angler and follow the 19 Loon Lake novels in publication order.
- For the newer Lew Ferris stories: Start with Wolf Hollow, the first book in the newer series.
- For fishing-themed mysteries: The Loon Lake books are the best choice because fly fishing, fishing tournaments, and the local outdoor culture are central to the setting.
- For a more recent mystery: Choose The Wolves Are Watching after reading the earlier Lew Ferris books.
- For nonfiction: Explore Alone After School or Making It Work if you are interested in Houston’s earlier work on family and personal issues.
Although the newer Lew Ferris books can be approached as a separate sequence, reading the original Loon Lake novels first gives you a better understanding of Lew’s background and the people around her.
Frequently Asked Questions About Victoria Houston Books
How many Loon Lake mystery books are there?
The original Loon Lake Mystery series contains 19 novels, beginning with Dead Angler (2000) and ending with Dead Big Dawg (2018). The books feature Lew Ferris and Doc Osborne in the fictional Wisconsin community of Loon Lake.
How many books are in the Lew Ferris series?
The newer Lew Ferris series has four books: Wolf Hollow, Hidden in the Pines, At the Edge of the Woods, and The Wolves Are Watching. The series began in 2022.
Are the Loon Lake and Lew Ferris series connected?
Yes. Both feature Lew Ferris and are set in the Wisconsin Northwoods. The newer books follow Lew in her role as sheriff, so reading the original Loon Lake mysteries first provides useful background.
What is the first Victoria Houston mystery book?
Dead Angler, published in 2000, is the first novel in the Loon Lake Mystery series. It introduces retired dentist Paul Osborne and police chief Lewellyn Ferris.
What is Victoria Houston’s latest book?
The Wolves Are Watching, published in 2026, is the latest novel in the Lew Ferris series. It is the fourth book in that sequence.
Do you need to read Victoria Houston books in order?
It is recommended, especially for the Loon Lake mysteries, because the characters and their relationships develop across the novels. The newer Lew Ferris books also benefit from being read in publication order.
What genre does Victoria Houston write?
Victoria Houston is best known for mystery and crime fiction. Her novels combine amateur sleuth elements, police investigations, regional settings, and outdoor themes, particularly fishing.
Conclusion: Discovering the Mysteries of Loon Lake
Victoria Houston’s books offer a distinctive combination of murder mysteries, fishing culture, and life in the Wisconsin Northwoods. The 19 Loon Lake novels introduce readers to Lew Ferris and Doc Osborne, whose friendship and investigative skills help uncover the secrets behind the community’s crimes. The newer four-book Lew Ferris series continues the character’s story as she takes on fresh challenges as sheriff. If you want to experience the full development of the characters, start with Dead Angler and follow the original novels before moving on to Wolf Hollow. Whether you enjoy small-town mysteries, outdoor settings, or clever investigations, Houston’s books provide a rewarding reading.
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