
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.
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Akashic Noir Series
Ongoing121 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
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Alan Grofield Series
Complete4 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 AudibleAnthologies Series
Complete13 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
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Dortmunder Series
Complete15 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
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Mitch Tobin Series
Complete5 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 AudibleNon-Fiction Series
Complete2 books (1972–2014)
Start this series with Under an English Heaven
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleParker Series
Complete24 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
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Parker Graphic Novels Series
Complete6 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 AudiblePhil Crawford Series
Complete2 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 AudibleSam Holt Series
Complete4 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 AudibleSara & Jack Series
Complete2 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 AudibleShort Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (1989–1989)
Short Story Collections Series
Complete9 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
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Standalone Novels Series
Likely Complete55 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
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Transgressions Series
Complete4 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)
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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.

