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Michael Bennett — Multiple Authors

Step on a Crack

  • Description:
    The Michael Bennett series is best read in order, starting with Step on a Crack, as character relationships and storylines develop across the series. Michael Bennett, a widowed NYPD detective raising ten adopted children, investigates high-profile crimes while balancing the demands of family life in New York City.
  • # of Titles:
    18 main books + 2 short stories
  • First Book:
    Step on a Crack (February 2007)
  • Latest Book:
    Delusional (Book 18) (August 2026)
  • Genres:
    Police Procedural
  • Series Rating:
  • Reading Order:

    🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1: Step on a Crack

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The Michael Bennett Books in Order (20 Books)

Order Author Book Date Rating
1 4
2 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
6 5
7 4
8 5
8.5 4


9 5
10 5
10.5 4
11 5
12 5
13 5
14 4
15 5
16 5
17 5
18 0

Series Premise

The Michael Bennett series follows a dedicated NYPD detective and single father as he tackles major criminal cases. Each book features a complete thriller investigation, while Bennett’s family life and personal struggles continue to unfold alongside his professional challenges.

The Michael Bennett Series Reading Order

🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1: Step on a Crack

Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.

Publication order gives the best experience for the Michael Bennett series. Each book has a complete central investigation with its own resolution, while character relationships and ongoing family developments carry across the volumes. Readers who jump ahead miss the progression of Bennett’s family dynamics, key personal events, and references to prior cases that add emotional depth.

Explanation of reading order types



The Michael Bennett Series Characters

Michael Bennett is the central protagonist, a skilled detective and devoted father to his large blended family. Recurring characters include his children, nanny Mary Catherine, and various NYPD colleagues who appear throughout the series.

Setting of the The Michael Bennett Series

The series is primarily set in New York City, with stories often involving Manhattan, the Bronx, and other boroughs where Bennett works and raises his family.

Tone & Themes of the The Michael Bennett Series

The tone is suspenseful and emotional with strong family elements. Core themes include justice, fatherhood, resilience, and balancing a dangerous career with the responsibilities of raising a large family.

Is the The Michael Bennett Series Worth Reading?

This series appeals to readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers with a relatable family man protagonist, intricate police procedurals, and high-stakes New York crime stories.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

This is a thriller series with moderate to high violence and crime-related themes. Language is generally realistic with limited sexual content.

The Michael Bennett series follows a widowed NYPD detective as he solves major cases while raising his ten adopted children. With its blend of self-contained investigations and continuing family arcs, it rewards readers who follow the books in sequence. The multi-author format maintains a consistent focus on family and justice.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are 20 books in the Michael Bennett series. The series includes 18 novels and 2 short stories/novellas.

The next book in the Michael Bennett series, Delusional (Book 18), will be published in August 2026.

The first book in the Michael Bennett series, Step on a Crack, was published in February 2007.

The Michael Bennett series primarily falls into the Police Procedural genre.