Aaron Elkins Reading Order
7 series Β· 38 books
Aaron Elkins is an American mystery writer who has crafted multiple detective series spanning four decades. His signature character, forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver, earned the nickname "skeleton detective" and anchors his most acclaimed series. With thirty-eight books published across seven different series between 1982 and 2018, Elkins demonstrates versatility in mystery plotting while maintaining his expertise in crime-solving protagonists grounded in specialized knowledge.
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Alix London Series
Complete4 books (2012β2016)
The Alix London series is a four-book mystery collection featuring art expert Alix London. Published between 2012 and 2016, the series is now complete and should be read in publication order beginning with A Dangerous Talent. The books follow Alix through various adventures including a fateful cruise, encounters with art authentication, and investigations involving mirrors and deception.
Start with A Dangerous Talent, the first of 4 books in the Alix London series.
Start this series with A Dangerous Talent
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Dangerous Talent |
| 2 | A Cruise to Die For |
| 3 | The Art Whisperer |
| 4 | The Trouble with Mirrors |
Anthologies Series
Complete3 books (1992β1997)
Aaron Elkins edited three mystery anthology collections between 1992 and 1997, featuring short stories from various authors in the mystery and thriller genre. The series is complete and should be read in publication order: Malice Domestic 1, AZ Murder Goes... Artful, and More Malice Domestic. These collections showcase diverse mystery narratives from multiple contributors across the decade.
Start with Malice Domestic 1 and read in order.
Start this series with Malice Domestic 1
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Malice Domestic 1 |
| 2 | AZ Murder Goes... Artful |
| 3 | More Malice Domestic |
Gideon Oliver Series
Complete18 books (1982β2016)
The Gideon Oliver mystery series consists of 18 complete books published between 1982 and 2016, all of which should be read in publication order beginning with Fellowship of Fear. Aaron Elkins crafted this detective series featuring a protagonist who solves crimes through forensic analysis and anthropological expertise. The final installments in the series were published in the 2010s, bringing the complete arc to a close after more than three decades of mysteries.
Start with Fellowship of Fear, the first of 18 books in the Gideon Oliver series.
Start this series with Fellowship of Fear
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fellowship of Fear |
| 2 | The Dark Place |
| 3 | Murder in the Queen's Armes |
| 4 | Old Bones |
| 5 | Curses! |
| 6 | Icy Clutches |
| 7 | Make No Bones |
| 8 | Dead Men's Hearts |
| 9 | Twenty Blue Devils |
| 10 | Skeleton Dance |
| 11 | Good Blood |
| 12 | Where There's a Will |
| 13 | Unnatural Selection |
| 14 | Little Tiny Teeth |
| 15 | Uneasy Relations |
| 16 | Skull Duggery |
| 17 | Dying on the Vine |
| 18 | Switcheroo |
Lee Ofsted Series
Complete5 books (1989β2005)
Aaron Elkins's Lee Ofsted series comprises five mystery novels published between 1989 and 2005, with the complete sequence consisting of A Wicked Slice, Rotten Lies, Nasty Breaks, Where Have All the Birdies Gone?, and On the Fringe. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with A Wicked Slice, as each book builds on the previous installments. This finished series offers a full story arc for readers seeking a complete mystery experience without need for additional books.
Start with A Wicked Slice, the first of 5 books in the Lee Ofsted series.
Start this series with A Wicked Slice
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Wicked Slice |
| 2 | Rotten Lies |
| 3 | Nasty Breaks |
| 4 | Where Have All the Birdies Gone? |
| 5 | On the Fringe |
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (1992β1992)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nice Gorilla(With: Charlotte Elkins) |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete4 books (1999β2018)
Aaron Elkins' Standalone Novels series consists of four mystery and thriller books published between 1999 and 2018. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Loot and continuing through Turncoat, The Worst Thing, and A Long Time Coming. Each book stands alone as an independent story rather than following a continuous narrative arc.
Start with Loot, the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Loot
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Loot |
| 2 | Turncoat |
| 3 | The Worst Thing |
| 4 | A Long Time Coming |
The Chris Norgren Mysteries Series
Complete3 books (1987β1993)
Aaron Elkins's Chris Norgren Mysteries series consists of three complete novels published between 1987 and 1993, featuring a protagonist navigating complex criminal investigations. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with A Deceptive Clarity, followed by A Glancing Light, and concluding with Old Scores. This standalone-friendly mystery series offers readers a finished narrative arc across all three installments.
Start with A Deceptive Clarity and read in order.
Start this series with A Deceptive Clarity
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Deceptive Clarity |
| 2 | A Glancing Light |
| 3 | Old Scores |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Aaron Elkins written?
- Aaron Elkins has written 38 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1982 to 2018.
- What is the first book in each Aaron Elkins series?
- Here are the first books in Aaron Elkins's series: Alix London: A Dangerous Talent; Anthologies: Malice Domestic 1; Gideon Oliver: Fellowship of Fear; Lee Ofsted: A Wicked Slice; The Chris Norgren Mysteries: A Deceptive Clarity.
- What order should I read Aaron Elkins's books?
- We recommend reading Aaron Elkins's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are Aaron Elkins's series complete?
- Aaron Elkins has 7 completed series.

