Books in Order: A Deep Dive into the Prolific Career of William G. Tapply
Understanding William G. Tapply: The Man Behind the Masterpieces
William G. Tapply (1940-2009), a renowned American author, was celebrated for his exhilarating legal thriller/mystery novels. Besides his fiction writings, Tapply also contributed non-fiction books in order on subjects like angling, the great outdoors, and literary composition. His famed character Brady Coyne from his books continues to captivate audiences to this day.
A Harvard alumnus, Tapply held a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and a Master’s degree in Education. Before his full-time writing career took off, he spent his time nurturing minds as a teacher and an administrator at Lexington High School, his former academic institution. He also shared his knowledge at Emerson College and Clark University. Tapply led an enriched personal life, married to mystery author Vicki Stiefel, and father to five children.
Unfolding the Tapply Timeline: Books in Order
William G. Tapply cemented his name as an acclaimed writer with his debut novel in 1984, Death at Charity’s Point. This gripping novel bagged the esteemed Scribner Crime Novel Award, setting the tone for many more iconic books to follow. In the very same year, he enchanted readers with his second novel, The Dutch Blue Error.
His final mystery novel, Outwitting Trolls, was published posthumously in 2010, further showcasing his extraordinary talent for suspense. Here is a comprehensive list of William G. Tapply’s books in order as they were first published:
Publication Order of Brady Coyne Books
(with Philip R. Craig)
| Death at Charity’s Point | (1984) |    |
| The Dutch Blue Error | (1984) | |
| Follow the Sharks | (1985) | |
| The Marine Corpse / A Rodent of Doubt | (1986) | |
| Dead Meat | (1987) | |
| The Vulgar Boatman | (1987) | |
| A Void in Hearts | (1988) | |
| Dead Winter | (1989) | |
| Client Privilege | (1990) | |
| The Spotted Cats | (1991) | |
| Tight Lines | (1992) | |
| The Snake Eater | (1993) | |
| The Seventh Enemy | (1995) | |
| Close to the Bone | (1996) | |
| Cutter’s Run | (1998) | |
| Muscle Memory | (1999) | |
| Scar Tissue | (2000) |  |
| Past Tense | (2001) | |
| A Fine Line | (2002) | |
| Shadow of Death | (2003) | |
| Nervous Water | (2005) | |
| Out Cold | (2006) | |
| One-Way Ticket | (2007) | |
| Hell Bent | (2008) | |
| Outwitting Trolls | (2010) | |