Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake Reading Order

15 series · 267 books · Born 1933-07-12

Donald E. Westlake was a prolific American crime writer best known for his darkly comedic heist novels and clever criminal capers spanning multiple decades. His masterful Dortmunder series established him as a master of witty, fast-paced crime fiction, while his work under various pseudonyms demonstrated his range across mystery, thriller, and occasional speculative fiction. A three-time Edgar Award winner and Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America, Westlake created some of crime fiction's most memorable characters and plots through over 260 books published from 1959 onward.

Are you Donald E. Westlake? Add a note for your readers →

Akashic Noir Series

Ongoing

121 books (2002–2025)

The Akashic Noir series is an extensive collection of noir fiction anthologies featuring original short stories set in specific cities and regions around the world. With over 120 books published since 2002 and new entries continuing to release, this ongoing series showcases mystery and thriller writing talent across diverse urban and cultural settings. Each anthology focuses on a particular location, from San Francisco and New York City to international destinations like Dublin and London, allowing readers to explore noir narratives through the lens of different communities and neighborhoods. Readers should approach the series in publication order, beginning with San Francisco Noir, as each installment stands independently while contributing to the broader collection.

Start with San Francisco Noir, the first of 121 books in the Akashic Noir series.

Start this series with San Francisco Noir

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
San Francisco Noir
2
3
Seattle Noir
4
Brooklyn Noir
5
Cover of Hasidic Noir
Hasidic Noir
6
Cover of Brooklyn Noir 2
Brooklyn Noir 2
7
Chicago Noir
8
9
Baltimore Noir
10
11
12
Cover of Manhattan Noir
Manhattan Noir
13
14
Cover of Twin Cities Noir
Twin Cities Noir
15
Cover of Detroit Noir
Detroit Noir
16
17
Cover of Los Angeles Noir
Los Angeles Noir
18
Cover of New Orleans Noir
New Orleans Noir
19
Wall Street Noir
20
Cover of Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
21
22
Istanbul Noir
23
Las Vegas Noir
24
Manhattan Noir 2
25
26
27
Toronto Noir
28
Trinidad Noir
29
30
31
Cover of Phoenix Noir
Phoenix Noir
32
Portland Noir
33
34
San Francisco Noir 2
35
Copenhagen Noir
36
37
Indian Country Noir
38
Cover of Lone Star Noir
Lone Star Noir
39
Los Angeles Noir 2
40
Mexico City Noir
41
42
Cover of Orange County Noir
Orange County Noir
43
Philadelphia Noir
44
Richmond Noir
45
Barcelona Noir
46
Cover of Cape Cod Noir
Cape Cod Noir
47
New Jersey Noir
48
Pittsburgh Noir
49
San Diego Noir
50
Cover of Boston Noir 2
Boston Noir 2
51
Kansas City Noir
52
Kingston Noir
53
Long Island Noir
54
55
St. Petersburg Noir
56
Cover of Staten Island Noir
Staten Island Noir
57
58
Buffalo Noir
59
60
Haiti Noir 2
61
62
63
Belfast Noir
64
Helsinki Noir
65
66
67
Singapore Noir
68
69
Tel Aviv Noir
70
71
Chicago Noir: The Classics
72
Marseille Noir
73
Memphis Noir
74
Providence Noir
75
76
Brussels Noir
77
Cover of Mississippi Noir
Mississippi Noir
78
New Orleans Noir: The Classics
79
80
San Juan Noir
81
St. Louis Noir
82
Cover of Stockholm Noir
Stockholm Noir
83
Cover of Atlanta Noir
Atlanta Noir
84
Buenos Aires Noir
85
Montana Noir
86
Montreal Noir
87
New Haven Noir
88
Oakland Noir
89
Trinidad Noir: The Classics
90
Baghdad Noir
91
92
Hong Kong Noir
93
94
Marrakech Noir
95
Santa Cruz Noir
96
97
São Paulo Noir
98
Vancouver Noir
99
Amsterdam Noir
100
Houston Noir
101
Milwaukee Noir
102
103
Addis Ababa Noir
104
Alabama Noir
105
Belgrade Noir
106
Berkeley Noir
107
Columbus Noir
108
Miami Noir: The Classics
109
Nairobi Noir
110
Santa Fe Noir
111
Tampa Bay Noir
112
Palm Springs Noir
113
114
Paris Noir: The Suburbs
115
Cover of South Central Noir
South Central Noir
116
Cleveland Noir
117
East Jerusalem Noir
118
West Jerusalem Noir
119
Honolulu Noir
120
Cover of Hamburg Noir
Hamburg Noir
121
Sacramento Noir

Alan Grofield Series

Complete

4 books (1967–1971)

The Alan Grofield series by Donald E. Westlake consists of four mystery and thriller novels published between 1967 and 1971. The complete series follows publication order beginning with The Damsel, followed by The Blackbird, The Dame, and Lemons Never Lie. Readers should approach these books sequentially as intended by the author.

Start with The Damsel, the first of 4 books in the Alan Grofield series.

Start this series with The Damsel

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
Cover of The Blackbird
The Blackbird
3
4
Cover of Lemons Never Lie
Lemons Never Lie

Anthologies Series

Complete

13 books (1970–2006)

Donald E. Westlake edited this complete anthology series spanning 11 volumes published between 1970 and 2006. The series includes collections such as Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Tales to Send Chills Down Your Spine, and several other mystery and thriller anthologies. These books should be read in publication order to follow the chronological development of the collection series. The anthologies showcase various mystery and thriller stories selected and curated by Westlake throughout this period.

Start with Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners, the first of 11 books in the Anthologies series.

Start this series with Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners
Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners
2
Cover of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow...
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow...
3
Cover of Tales to Send Chills Down Your Spine
Tales to Send Chills Down Your Spine
4
Cover of Alfred Hitchcock's A Choice of Evils
Alfred Hitchcock's A Choice of Evils
5
6
Mystery for Halloween
7
Fifty Best Mysteries
8
Cover of Murderous Schemes
Murderous Schemes
9
Cover of The Plot Thickens
The Plot Thickens
10
Cover of The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years
The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years
11
Price of Desire
12
Cover of Transgressions
Transgressions
13
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 3
Transgressions, Vol. 3

Dortmunder Series

Complete

15 books (1970–2009)

The Dortmunder series is a 15-book mystery and thriller sequence by Donald E. Westlake, following the misadventures of a career criminal and his associates as they navigate elaborate heists and schemes. Published between 1970 and 2009, the series should be read in publication order beginning with The Hot Rock. The complete series concludes with Get Real, offering readers four decades of comedic crime fiction from a master of the genre.

Start with The Hot Rock, the first of 15 books in the Dortmunder series.

Start this series with The Hot Rock

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Hot Rock
The Hot Rock
2
3
Cover of Jimmy The Kid
Jimmy The Kid
4
Cover of Nobody's Perfect
Nobody's Perfect
5
6
Cover of Good Behavior
Good Behavior
7
Cover of Drowned Hopes
Drowned Hopes
8
9
Cover of What's The Worst That Could Happen?
What's The Worst That Could Happen?
10
11
The Road To Ruin
12
Cover of Thieves' Dozen
Thieves' Dozen
13
Cover of Watch Your Back!
Watch Your Back!
14
Cover of What's So Funny?
What's So Funny?
15

Mitch Tobin Series

Complete

5 books (1966–1972)

Donald E. Westlake's Mitch Tobin series consists of five mystery novels published between 1966 and 1972, now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death. This series follows the investigations of its protagonist through a span of crime and mystery stories crafted by the acclaimed thriller writer.

Start with Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death, the first of 5 books in the Mitch Tobin series.

Start this series with Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death
2
Cover of Murder Among Children
Murder Among Children
3
Cover of A Jade In Aries
A Jade In Aries
4
5
Cover of Don't Lie To Me
Don't Lie To Me

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

2 books (1972–2014)

Start this series with Under an English Heaven

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Under an English Heaven
2
The Getaway Car

Parker Series

Complete

24 books (1962–2008)

The Parker series comprises 24 complete novels of crime fiction written by Donald E. Westlake between 1962 and 2008, following the exploits of a professional thief navigating the criminal underworld. Each book stands as an independent heist or crime story, though reading them in publication order provides the fullest experience of the character's development across decades. Begin with Payback, the 1962 debut, and continue through the series chronologically to witness how Westlake evolved the protagonist and his world over nearly five decades of writing.

Start with Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter, the first of 24 books in the Parker series.

Start this series with Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter
Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter
2
3
4
Cover of The Score / Killtown
The Score / Killtown
5
Cover of The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face
The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face
6
7
Cover of The Handle / Run Lethal
The Handle / Run Lethal
8
Cover of The Seventh / The Split
The Seventh / The Split
9
Cover of The Green Eagle Score
The Green Eagle Score
10
Cover of The Rare Coin Score
The Rare Coin Score
11
Cover of The Black Ice Score
The Black Ice Score
12
Cover of The Sour Lemon Score
The Sour Lemon Score
13
14
15
Cover of Plunder Squad
Plunder Squad
16
Cover of Butcher's Moon
Butcher's Moon
17
18
19
Cover of Flashfire / Parker
Flashfire / Parker
20
21
22
Cover of Nobody Runs Forever
Nobody Runs Forever
23
Ask The Parrot
24

Parker Graphic Novels Series

Complete

6 books (2009–2013)

The Parker Graphic Novels series presents six complete adaptations published between 2009 and 2013, following publication order from The Hunter through Slayground. These mystery and thriller graphic novels, based on Donald E. Westlake's work, should be read sequentially to experience the full narrative arc. The series concluded in 2013 with no additional volumes planned.

Start with The Hunter, the first of 6 books in the Parker Graphic Novels series.

Start this series with The Hunter

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
The Man with the Getaway Face
3
4
Cover of Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition
Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition
5
6

Phil Crawford Series

Complete

2 books (1959–1962)

Donald E. Westlake's Phil Crawford series consists of two mystery and thriller novels published between 1959 and 1962. The complete series includes Backstage Love and What Girls Will Do, which should be read in publication order. This finished series offers two standalone yet connected entries into Westlake's crime fiction work.

Start with Backstage Love and read in order.

Start this series with Backstage Love

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Backstage Love
2
What Girls Will Do

Sam Holt Series

Complete

4 books (1986–1989)

Donald E. Westlake's Sam Holt series comprises four mystery and thriller novels published between 1986 and 1989. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That and concluding with The Fourth Dimension Is Death. Each installment builds on the previous, making sequential reading essential to following the story's progression.

Start with I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That, the first of 4 books in the Sam Holt series.

Start this series with I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That
I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That
2
Cover of One Of Us Is Wrong
One Of Us Is Wrong
3
Cover of What I Tell You Three Times Is False
What I Tell You Three Times Is False
4
The Fourth Dimension Is Death

Sara & Jack Series

Complete

2 books (1988–1994)

Donald E. Westlake's Sara & Jack series consists of two complete mystery novels published between 1988 and 1994. The two books should be read in publication order, beginning with Trust Me On This followed by Baby, Would I Lie?. This finished series offers readers a self-contained pair of mysteries from the acclaimed thriller and mystery writer.

Start with Trust Me On This and read in order.

Start this series with Trust Me On This

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Trust Me On This
Trust Me On This
2
Cover of Baby, Would I Lie?
Baby, Would I Lie?

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

1 book (1989–1989)

#Title
1
Too Many Crooks

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

9 books (1968–2020)

Donald E. Westlake's Short Story Collections series comprises seven books of short fiction published between 1968 and 2020, with the series now complete. These stories should be read in publication order, beginning with Curious Facts Preceding My Execution and progressing through Enough, Levine, Transylvania Station (co-written with Abby Westlake), Tomorrow's Crimes, A Good Story and Other Stories, and concluding with Meteor Strike, Double Feature, and The Spy in the Elevator. The collection showcases Westlake's work across mystery, thriller, and other genres in short form across more than five decades.

Start with Curious Facts Preceding My Execution, the first of 7 books in the Short Story Collections series.

Start this series with Curious Facts Preceding My Execution

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Curious Facts Preceding My Execution
Curious Facts Preceding My Execution
2
3
4
Cover of Transylvania Station(With: Abby Westlake)
Transylvania Station(With: Abby Westlake)
5
Cover of Tomorrow's Crimes
Tomorrow's Crimes
6
Cover of A Good Story and Other Stories
A Good Story and Other Stories
7
Meteor Strike
8
Cover of Double Feature
Double Feature
9
The Spy in the Elevator

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

55 books (1959–2022)

Donald E. Westlake's standalone novels span from 1959 to 2022, comprising 53 individual mystery and thriller works that can each be read independently. While these books are not connected by recurring characters or plots, readers interested in exploring Westlake's full body of work should follow publication order beginning with All My Lovers. The series appears to be complete, offering a comprehensive look at the author's prolific career across more than six decades.

Start with All My Lovers, the first of 53 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with All My Lovers

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
All My Lovers
2
3
4
All about Annette
5
6
So Willing(By: Alan Marshall,Sheldon Lord)
7
Cover of The Mercenaries / The Cutie
The Mercenaries / The Cutie
8
The Wife Next Door
9
Virgin's Summer
10
Brother and Sister
11
Call Me Sinner
12
13
Cover of Killing Time
Killing Time
14
Passion's Playthings
15
Cover of Young and Innocent
Young and Innocent
16
17
Strange affair.
18
Campus Lovers
19
20
Cover of Pity Him Afterwards
Pity Him Afterwards
21
Cover of The Fugitive Pigeon
The Fugitive Pigeon
22
Cover of Spy in the Ointment
Spy in the Ointment
23
The Busy Body
24
25
God Save the Mark
26
27
Who stole Sassi Manoon?
28
Cover of Somebody Owes Me Money
Somebody Owes Me Money
29
Cover of Up Your Banners
Up Your Banners
30
Cover of Adios Scheherazade
Adios Scheherazade
31
Cover of Comfort Station
Comfort Station
32
33
I Gave at the Office
34
Cover of Cops and Robbers
Cops and Robbers
35
Cover of Gangway!(With: Brian Garfield)
Gangway!(With: Brian Garfield)
36
Cover of Help, I Am Being Held Prisoner
Help, I Am Being Held Prisoner
37
Cover of Brothers Keepers
Brothers Keepers
38
39
Cover of Dancing Aztecs
Dancing Aztecs
40
Cover of Castle in the Air
Castle in the Air
41
42
Cover of A Likely Story
A Likely Story
43
Cover of High Adventure
High Adventure
44
Sacred Monster
45
46
47
48
49
Cover of The Scared Stiff
The Scared Stiff
50
Cover of Put a Lid on It
Put a Lid on It
51
Cover of Money for Nothing
Money for Nothing
52
Cover of Memory / The Actor
Memory / The Actor
53
Cover of The Comedy is Finished
The Comedy is Finished
54
Cover of Forever and a Death
Forever and a Death
55
Call Me a Cab

Transgressions Series

Complete

4 books (2005–2006)

The Transgressions series is a four-book anthology collection of short stories published between 2005 and 2006, now complete. Each volume features crime and mystery tales by rotating lineups of acclaimed authors including Stephen King, Lawrence Block, Ed McBain, Anne Perry, Sharyn McCrumb, and others. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with the first volume and continuing through the fourth to experience the complete collection as originally released.

Start with Transgressions(With: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris), the first of 4 books in the Transgressions series.

Start this series with Transgressions(With: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris)

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Transgressions(With: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris)
Transgressions(With: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris)
2
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 2(By: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Ed McBain,John Farris)
Transgressions, Vol. 2(By: Stephen King,Lawrence Block,Ed McBain,John Farris)
3
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 3(With: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,John Farris)
Transgressions, Vol. 3(With: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,John Farris)
4
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 4(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain)
Transgressions, Vol. 4(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Donald E. Westlake written?
Donald E. Westlake has written 267 books across 15 series. Their published works span from 1959 to 2025.
What is the first book in each Donald E. Westlake series?
Here are the first books in Donald E. Westlake's series: Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Alan Grofield: The Damsel; Anthologies: Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners; Dortmunder: The Hot Rock; Mitch Tobin: Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death.
What order should I read Donald E. Westlake's books?
We recommend reading Donald E. Westlake's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Donald E. Westlake still writing new books?
Yes, Donald E. Westlake has 1 ongoing series: Akashic Noir.

You might also like