Backlist Goes to Rick Riordan's Past Life

April 09, 2012

If you have children older than about ten, you probably know Rick Riordan’s great book series: The Lost Hero, Percy Jackson, and The Kane Chronicles. But did you know that before he was an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author for kids, he was an award-winning author for adults? That’s right, Riordan started his writing life as a mystery writer for grown-ups.

He started winning awards back in 1997 when Big Red Tequila earned him the Anthony Award for best first novel. Riordan’s Tres Navarre Mystery series is a fast-paced crime story about a talented but flawed PI, Jackson "Tres" Navarre. Tres has a PhD from Berkeley in Medieval Studies and English (much like the author) and works as an unlicensed private eye. He's also a tai chi master (again, much like Rick himself).

The author grew up in San Antonio, so he set his PI series there. After ten years in the San Francisco Bay area, Tres Navarre returns to his roots in Texas to investigate the unsolved murder of his father and rekindle romance with his high school sweetheart. Tres is a magnet for trouble, both in his love life and his investigations.

You’ll enjoy all five books in the Tres Navarre series. So while you’re checking out Percy Jackson for the kids, head on over to Adult Fiction and pick up a couple Riordan novels for yourself too.

Laura M.
Kearney Branch