Skip to main content

Is it for you?

Rookie guard Beka Cooper walks a dangerous beat in the Lower City, aided by a rare magic that lets her hear the dead on pigeon wings. When vicious killers target the district, she must rely on restless spirits and street instincts to unravel the city's criminal conspiracies.

You'll like it if you enjoy

  • A grounded, resilient heroine
  • Fantasy crime and murder mysteries
  • Journal-format storytelling
  • Rich street-level worldbuilding

Good to know

  • Told entirely in journal format
  • Some find the final book rushed

How it ends: While some found the finale rushed, most praise its surprise twists and connections to the wider Tortall universe.

Tags

  • Female Lead
  • Strong Female Lead
  • No Romance
  • Mixed Tone
  • Heavy Worldbuilding
  • Mystery
  • Unique Magic System
  • No Gore

Reading order

  1. Cover for Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper #1

    Book 1: Terrier

    610 pages2007

    Step into the gritty streets of Tortall in Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper #1. Rookie Beka Cooper joins the Provost’s Guard and lands a grueling beat in the slums of the Lower City. Fortunately, she possesses a rare, uncanny gift: she can hear the voices of the dead carried on the wings of pigeons. When a ruthless predator known as the Shadow Snake terrorizes the district, Beka must rely on her keen ears, staunch courage, and fierce determination to track down a killer before more innocents fall.

  2. Cover for Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper #2

    Book 2: Bloodhound

    562 pages2009

    Now a full Dog in the Provost’s Guard, Beka Cooper is paired with veteran partner Goodwin and an uncanny scent hound named Achoo. Dispatched to the bustling coastal city of Port Caynn on a high-stakes assignment, Beka dives deep into Tortall’s dark underworld. In Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper #2, she discovers that treacherous corruption reaches far beyond the criminal courts. Armed with her unique magic and sharp instincts, Beka refuses to drop the trail—even when pursuing the truth puts her very life on the line.

  3. Cover for Mastiff: The Legend of Beka Cooper #3

    Book 3: Mastiff

    610 pages2011

    Reeling from a devastating personal loss, Beka Cooper welcomes the distraction when Lord Gershom entrusts her with a top-secret Hunt. In Mastiff: The Legend of Beka Cooper #3, Beka sets out with her loyal scent hound Achoo and an untested young mage on a high-risk mission where threats loom at every turn. Wading into a perilous web of power, corruption, and betrayal that directly imperils the Tortall royal family, Beka must decide who she can truly trust before the entire empire crumbles.

Similar Series You Might Enjoy