Wendall Thomas
Wendall Thomas has published 4 books. The recommended reading order starts with Lost Luggage (2017).
What happens when a travel agent stumbles into wildlife crime in the world's most exotic corners? Wendall Thomas answers that question with her Cyd Redondo screwball travel mysteries, a series that blends endangered species, international intrigue, and comedic chaos. Each installment drops readers into a different location, where mishaps collide with genuine danger. Lost Luggage, the debut, earned a Lefty Award and nominations for both the Anthony and Macavity—a trifecta that announced Thomas as a mystery writer who could balance humor with stakes.
Thomas brings an unusual résumé to crime fiction: entertainment reporter, script consultant, film and television writer, and the person who penned Bonnie Raitt's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech. She now teaches in UCLA's Graduate Film School and lectures internationally on screenwriting, channeling her narrative instincts into both page and screen. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies including Ladies Night, Last Resort, and Hollywood Kills, proving her range extends beyond Cyd Redondo's globe-trotting disasters.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Cyd Redondo Books
- Tagsmysterygraphic-novelscrimeDescriptionCyd Redondo is a travel agent, which means she's supposed to make other people's vacations run smoothly—not chase down missing suitcases or stumble into international intrigue. But when luggage goes astray, it's never just about lost clothes and toiletries. There's always something more at stake, and Cyd has a knack for finding herself in the middle of it. This is the kind of mystery that understands travel isn't glamorous—it's delayed flights, questionable hotel rooms, and the chaos that erupts when plans fall apart. Cyd is sharp, resourceful, and refreshingly human, navigating a world where every destination hides a secret and every passenger might be lying. The stakes escalate quickly, the humor is dry, and the pace keeps you turning pages like you're racing to catch a connection. If you've ever suspected that your lost bag ended up somewhere far more interesting than the airline claimed, this book will make you wonder what really happens behind those baggage claim curtains.Publication dateOctober 3, 2017Amazon rating4.1/5Print length263LanguageEnglishPublisherPoisoned Pen Press
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionCyd Redondo is a travel agent, which means she's supposed to help people escape their problems, not dive headfirst into murder and mayhem on the high seas. But when a cruise that should have been smooth sailing turns deadly, Cyd finds herself navigating treacherous waters both literal and figurative, trying to keep her clients alive while untangling a mystery that threatens to sink more than just vacation plans. With her sharp wit and a knack for stumbling into trouble, she's the kind of amateur sleuth who brings both charm and chaos to every port of call. What sets this mystery apart is Cyd herself—a protagonist who works in the trenches of the travel industry, dealing with the absurdities and anxieties of tourists while also solving crimes. Wendall Thomas crafts a world where the glamour of cruising collides with the grit of investigation, and Cyd's voice carries you through with humor and heart. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with a fresh angle, a heroine who feels real and relatable, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the ship docks, this one delivers the kind of escapism that actually earns its name.Publication dateMarch 19, 2019Amazon rating4.3/5Print length432LanguageEnglishPublisherPoisoned Pen Press
- Tagsmysterycrimegraphic-novelsDescriptionTravel agents don't usually expect their vacations to turn deadly. But Cyd Redondo isn't your typical travel agent. She's got a knack for stumbling into trouble, and this time fog-shrouded circumstances are closing in fast. When a getaway goes sideways, Cyd finds herself tangled in a mystery that demands more than just good customer service skills. The stakes are personal. The danger is real. And the fog isn't lifting. Wendall Thomas delivers another sharp, witty installment in the Cyd Redondo series, blending travel industry insider knowledge with classic mystery plotting. Cyd is resourceful, flawed, and refreshingly human—a protagonist who solves problems with brains, not brawn. The setting crackles with atmosphere, each clue emerging from the mist like a half-remembered dream. Thomas knows how to keep the pages turning, balancing humor with genuine suspense. If you're drawn to mysteries with heart, heroines who feel like friends, and plots that twist without losing their way, Cyd Redondo's latest misadventure will keep you guessing until the very last page. Pack light. Trust no one. And whatever you do, don't let the fog fool you.Publication dateNovember 2, 2021Amazon rating4.7/5Print length241LanguageEnglishPublisherBeyond the Page
- TagsmysterycrimeromancethrillerDescriptionCyd Redondo works in the travel industry, a profession built on the promise of escape and adventure. But when her job sends her into situations that require more than a knack for booking flights and negotiating hotel rates, she discovers that survival skills matter more than customer service training. This installment in the Cyd Redondo series delivers the kind of chaos that comes from mixing ordinary competence with extraordinary circumstances. Thomas understands that the best amateur sleuths aren't fearless—they're resourceful, improvising their way through danger with whatever tools their regular lives have given them. Cyd navigates her predicaments with the same determination she'd bring to untangling a client's botched itinerary, except the stakes involve actual lives rather than vacation plans. The title promises exactly what it delivers: thrills on a budget, the kind of suspense that doesn't require exotic locales or elaborate conspiracies to generate genuine tension. Thomas writes with an appreciation for the absurdity that emerges when normal people encounter abnormal situations, finding humor in the gaps between expectation and reality. For readers who prefer their mysteries grounded in recognizable frustrations and their protagonists armed with wit rather than weapons, this offers a satisfying blend of danger and levity.Publication dateOctober 30, 2023Amazon rating4.2/5Print length302LanguageEnglishPublisherBeyond the Page
Frequently Asked Questions about Wendall Thomas
Wendall Thomas writes the Order of Cyd Redondo series. The books in this series should be read in the order they were published. The first book is Lost Luggage, published in 2017. The second book is Drowned Under, published in 2019. The third book is Fogged Off, published in 2021. The most recent book in the series is Cheap Trills, published in 2023. Reading the books in this sequence will provide the intended character development and plot progression for the Cyd Redondo stories.
Readers should start with Lost Luggage, the first book in the Order of Cyd Redondo series. Published in 2017, it introduces Cyd Redondo and the world of the series. Following this with Drowned Under (2019), Fogged Off (2021), and Cheap Trills (2023) will allow readers to experience the narrative arc as it was intended. This approach ensures a consistent understanding of the characters and their ongoing story.
Yes, the books in the Order of Cyd Redondo series are meant to be read in publication order. The series follows a continuous narrative with character development and plotlines that build from one book to the next. Starting with Lost Luggage (2017) and proceeding through Drowned Under (2019), Fogged Off (2021), and finally Cheap Trills (2023) is the recommended way to experience the full story. Reading them out of order may lead to confusion regarding character motivations and plot points.
Wendall Thomas writes the Order of Cyd Redondo series. These books are part of a connected narrative and are not standalone novels. Each book continues the story of the protagonist, Cyd Redondo, and builds upon previous events and character arcs. Therefore, to fully appreciate the progression of the story and the development of the characters, it is best to read them in the order they were released.
Wendall Thomas has written four books, all part of the Order of Cyd Redondo series. These include Lost Luggage (2017), Drowned Under (2019), Fogged Off (2021), and Cheap Trills (2023). All of these books focus on the character of Cyd Redondo and are designed to be read in sequence to follow the unfolding narrative and character arcs.
The first book Wendall Thomas wrote is Lost Luggage, published in 2017. This novel introduces the character of Cyd Redondo and establishes the world and tone of the series. It is the beginning of the Order of Cyd Redondo series, and subsequent books build upon the foundation laid in this initial publication. Readers looking to start the series should begin with this title.
Wendall Thomas's most recent book is Cheap Trills, published in 2023. This is the fourth novel in the Order of Cyd Redondo series. The book continues the adventures of Cyd Redondo, following the events of Lost Luggage (2017), Drowned Under (2019), and Fogged Off (2021). This title represents the latest installment in the ongoing narrative of the series.
Wendall Thomas writes crime fiction, specifically within the mystery and thriller subgenres. The Order of Cyd Redondo series features a protagonist who navigates complex cases and dangerous situations. The books are characterized by their plot-driven narratives, suspenseful elements, and focus on investigative elements. The series follows Cyd Redondo as they engage with mysteries that require careful unraveling.
Sarah Morgenthaler
Coming soon
Sasha Burke
Coming soon
Uzma Jalaluddin
Coming soon
We verified the reading order for Wendall Thomas's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: May 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Wendall Thomas Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/wendall-thomas