Dennis Lynds Reading Order
15 series · 617 books
Dennis Lynds was a prolific American mystery writer who published over 600 books across multiple series under various pseudonyms, most famously as Michael Collins. Working from 1931 through 2018, he crafted detective fiction spanning classic characters like Charlie Chan and original creations such as the gritty private investigator Dan Fortune, while also contributing to collaborative anthology projects and the popular Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series. His work blended literary sophistication with the narrative drive of genre fiction, establishing him as a significant figure in 20th-century American mystery writing.
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Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators Series
Complete41 books (1964–1990)
The Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series comprises 41 mystery novels published between 1964 and 1990, following the adventures of three teenage investigators who solve crimes with the guidance of the famous film director. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot. Written primarily by Dennis Lynds under various pseudonyms including Robert Arthur, William Arden, and M.V. Carey, these mysteries blend suspense and puzzle-solving throughout the collection's three-decade span.
Start with The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot(By: Robert Arthur), the first of 41 books in the Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series.
Start this series with The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot(By: Robert Arthur)
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Anthologies Series
Complete7 books (1983–2004)
Dennis Lynds edited seven mystery and thriller anthologies published between 1983 and 2004, now complete. These collections should be read in publication order, beginning with Alfred Hitchcock's Borrowers of the Night and continuing through Fedora and Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden Years. Each volume gathers short fiction from various authors within the mystery and literary fiction genres, offering diverse stories across the full span of the series.
Start with Alfred Hitchcock's Borrowers of the Night, the first of 7 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Alfred Hitchcock's Borrowers of the Night
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Buena Costa County Series
Complete5 books (1972–1979)
This five-book mystery series by Dennis Lynds follows cases in Buena Costa County across the 1970s, beginning with Another Way To Die in 1972 and concluding with Close to Death in 1979. The complete series should be read in publication order to experience the interconnected stories as originally presented. Combining elements of crime fiction with literary depth, the Buena Costa County books showcase Lynds's skill in blending thriller plots with character-driven narratives.
Start with Another Way To Die, the first of 5 books in the Buena Costa County series.
Start this series with Another Way To Die
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Charlie Chan Series
Complete1 book (1974–1974)
Dan Fortune Series
Complete19 books (1967–2001)
The Dan Fortune series comprises 19 mystery and thriller novels written by Dennis Lynds, beginning with Act of Fear in 1967 and concluding in 2001. This complete series should be read in publication order to follow the character's development across the span of adventures. The books blend mystery and literary fiction elements, tracking the protagonist through cases ranging from urban crime to psychological suspense across several decades of crime fiction.
Start with Act of Fear, the first of 19 books in the Dan Fortune series.
Start this series with Act of Fear
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Kane Jackson Series
Complete5 books (1968–1973)
Dennis Lynds's Kane Jackson series comprises five mystery and thriller novels published between 1968 and 1973, now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with A Dark Power and continuing through the Goliath Scheme, Deal in Violence, Murder Underground (also titled Die to a Distant Drum), and Deadly Legacy. This is a finished series ideal for readers seeking a full narrative arc across all five installments.
Start with A Dark Power, the first of 5 books in the Kane Jackson series.
Start this series with A Dark Power
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Mack Bolan Series
Complete179 books (1983–2018)
The Mack Bolan series is a complete action thriller collection comprised of 179 books published between 1983 and 2018. Originally created by Don Pendleton and continued by Dennis Lynds and other writers, the series follows a consistent protagonist through military and espionage-themed adventures. Readers should follow the books in their publication order to experience the ongoing narrative development across the extended saga. Begin with Stony Man Doctrine and continue sequentially through all 179 installments to fully appreciate the character's evolution and interconnected storylines.
Start with Stony Man Doctrine(By: Don Pendleton), the first of 179 books in the Mack Bolan series.
Start this series with Stony Man Doctrine(By: Don Pendleton)
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Michael Collins Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete2 books (1983–1994)
This complete mystery series by Dennis Lynds comprises two short story collections and novellas published across the 1980s and 1990s. The two books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Oldest Killer followed by Partners in Crime. Ideal for readers who enjoy short-form mystery and thriller fiction with literary merit.
Start with The Oldest Killer and read in order.
Start this series with The Oldest Killer
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleMichael Collins Short Story Collections Series
Complete2 books (2002–2005)
Dennis Lynds, writing as Michael Collins, published two complete short story collections between 2002 and 2005 that should be read in publication order. The series begins with Spies and Thieves, Cops and Killers, Etc. and concludes with Slot Machine Kelly. These mystery and thriller collections blend genre elements with literary fiction sensibilities.
Start with Spies and Thieves, Cops and Killers, Etc.(As:Michael Collins) and read in order.
Start this series with Spies and Thieves, Cops and Killers, Etc.(As:Michael Collins)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Nick Carter: Killmaster Series
Complete262 books (1964–1990)
The Nick Carter: Killmaster series is a lengthy spy thriller collection that ran from 1964 to 1990, comprising 262 books written by Dennis Lynds. Each installment stands as its own complete story, though readers should follow publication order to experience the series as originally released. Beginning with Checkmate in Rio, this prolific series provides numerous independent spy adventures featuring international intrigue and action-packed narratives across diverse global settings.
Start with Checkmate in Rio, the first of 262 books in the Nick Carter: Killmaster series.
Start this series with Checkmate in Rio
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Paul Shaw Series
Complete6 books (1970–1986)
Dennis Lynds' Paul Shaw series comprises six mystery and thriller novels following the protagonist through cases spanning from 1970 to 1986. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Falling Man and concluding with Deadly Innocents. This finished series blends literary fiction sensibilities with genre thrills across its six installments.
Start with The Falling Man, the first of 6 books in the Paul Shaw series.
Start this series with The Falling Man
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Shadow: The Master of Darkness Series
Complete76 books (1931–1967)
The Shadow: The Master of Darkness series comprises 76 mystery and thriller novels published between 1931 and 1967 under the pseudonym Maxwell Grant. This complete series follows a consistent publication order and should be read starting with Eyes of the Shadow to experience the full narrative arc. The collection spans decades of pulp fiction storytelling featuring the iconic vigilante protagonist and his various cases involving crime, conspiracy, and danger.
Start with Eyes of the Shadow(By: Maxwell Grant), the first of 76 books in the Shadow: The Master of Darkness series.
Start this series with Eyes of the Shadow(By: Maxwell Grant)
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (1968–1968)
Short Story Collections Series
Complete3 books (1995–2005)
Dennis Lynds published three mystery and thriller short story collections between 1995 and 2005, with the series now complete. Read these collections in publication order, beginning with Talking to the World and Other Stories, followed by Spies and Thieves, and concluding with Cops and Killers, Etc., which was published under his Michael Collins pseudonym. The final entry, Slot Machine Kelly, was also released under the Collins name and completes this standalone collection series.
Start with Talking to the World and Other Stories and read in order.
Start this series with Talking to the World and Other Stories
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Standalone Novels Series
Complete8 books (1962–1995)
Dennis Lynds authored eight standalone novels across mystery, thriller, and literary fiction from 1962 to 1995, with the series now complete. These independent stories should be read in publication order, beginning with Combat Soldier and concluding with The Cadillac Cowboy. Several titles were published under the pseudonym Michael Collins, including Lukan War, The Planets of Death, and The Cadillac Cowboy. The collection spans diverse narratives including Uptown Downtown, Mask of Silence, Woman in Marble, and SWAT No. 1 - Crossfire.
Start with Combat Soldier, the first of 8 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Combat Soldier
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Dennis Lynds written?
- Dennis Lynds has written 617 books across 15 series. Their published works span from 1931 to 2018.
- What is the first book in each Dennis Lynds series?
- Here are the first books in Dennis Lynds's series: Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot(By: Robert Arthur); Anthologies: Alfred Hitchcock's Borrowers of the Night; Buena Costa County: Another Way To Die; Dan Fortune: Act of Fear; Kane Jackson: A Dark Power.
- What order should I read Dennis Lynds's books?
- We recommend reading Dennis Lynds's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are Dennis Lynds's series complete?
- Dennis Lynds has 15 completed series.