Books in Order: Exploring the Panorama of Stuart M. Kaminsky’s Literary Genius
Stuart M. Kaminsky, (1934-2009), an intriguing figure in American literature, made his mark as an author of outstanding mystery novels, acclaimed crime fiction, and informative non-fiction books. Esteemed as a film professor, Kaminsky’s work showcases his rich understanding of the medium. Famous for his four series – Toby Peters, Inspector Rostnikov, Abe Lieberman, and Lew Fonesca, he received the prestigious title of Grand Master from the Mystery Writers of America.
A Glimpse into Kaminsky’s Life and Career
Born and raised in Chicago, Kaminsky pursued an education in communication. He earned his Ph.D. in Speech from Northwester University after securing a B.S in Journalism and an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois. He channeled his extensive knowledge into teaching film studies at Northwestern University for 16 years before moving on to a six-year tenure at Florida State University. His legacy in the literary world is further solidified by his term as president of the Mystery Writers of America.
The Onset of Kaminsky’s Writing
Kaminsky began his literary journey with the non-fiction book, A Biographical Study of the Career of Donald Siegel and an Analysis of His Films in 1972. However, his true prowess in storytelling came to the forefront with his first novel – a Toby Peters book titled Bullet for a Star, published in 1977.
Discovering Kaminsky’s Books in Order
Unveiling the true depth and breadth of Kaminsky’s remarkable body of work requires exploration of his books in order of their original publication:
Publication Order of Toby Peters Books
| Bullet for a Star | (1977) |    |
| Murder on the Yellow Brick Road | (1977) | |
| You Bet Your Life | (1978) | |
| The Howard Hughes Affair | (1979) | |
| Never Cross a Vampire | (1980) | |
| High Midnight | (1981) | |
| Catch a Falling Clown | (1982) | |
| He Done Her Wrong | (1983) | |
| The Fala Factor | (1984) | |
| Down for the Count | (1985) | |
| The Man Who Shot Lewis Vance | (1986) | |
| Smart Moves | (1987) | |
| Think Fast, Mr. Peters | (1988) | |
| Buried Caesars | (1989) | |
| Poor Butterfly | (1990) | |
| The Melting Clock | (1991) | |
| The Devil Met a Lady | (1993) |  |
| Tomorrow is Another Day | (1995) | |
| Dancing in the Dark | (1996) | |
| A Fatal Glass of Beer | (1997) | |
| A Few Minutes Past Midnight | (2001) | |
| To Catch A Spy | (2002) | |
| Mildred Pierced | (2003) | |
| Now You See It | (2004) | |