Edgar Wallace Reading Order
17 series · 240 books · Born 1875-04-01
Edgar Wallace was a prolific English writer whose crime and thriller novels dominated early twentieth-century publishing, with contemporaries claiming that a quarter of all books read in England during the 1920s were penned by him. His vast output—spanning novels, plays, screenplays, and journalism—inspired over 160 film adaptations, more than any other author of his era, and he remains best known today as co-creator of King Kong, for which he wrote the original screenplay and collaborated on the story. Wallace's accessible mystery and suspense tales, particularly his Commissioner Sanders and Educated Evans series, established the template for modern crime fiction and continue to demonstrate why his work achieved such extraordinary commercial success.
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Anthologies Series
Complete7 books (1941–2012)
The Anthologies series consists of seven collections edited by Edgar Wallace, published between 1941 and 2012. These books gather mystery, thriller, horror, and crime stories from various authors, offering readers a broad selection of detective fiction and suspenseful tales. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Pocket Book of Mystery Stories and concluding with Short Stories: After Dark Classics. This complete series is ideal for readers seeking curated selections of classic mystery and crime stories across multiple decades.
Start with The Pocket Book of Mystery Stories, the first of 7 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with The Pocket Book of Mystery Stories
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Chapbooks Series
Complete1 book (1928–1928)
Collections Series
Complete9 books (1900–2020)
Edgar Wallace's Collections series comprises nine volumes of short stories and essays published between 1900 and 2020, spanning fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, and non-fiction genres. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Writ In Barracks and concluding with The Vampire of Wembley. This complete series collects Wallace's diverse shorter works alongside some of his most intriguing tales, including The Death Room and explorations of true crime cases like The Trial of the Seddons.
Start with Writ In Barracks, the first of 9 books in the Collections series.
Start this series with Writ In Barracks
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Commissioner Sanders Series
Complete8 books (1911–1930)
Edgar Wallace's Commissioner Sanders series consists of eight complete books published between 1911 and 1930, following the adventures of a colonial administrator in Africa. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Sanders of the River and concluding with The Keepers of the King's Peace. This mystery and thriller series combines Wallace's characteristic adventure storytelling with exotic African settings across its interconnected tales.
Start with Sanders of the River, the first of 8 books in the Commissioner Sanders series.
Start this series with Sanders of the River
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Educated Evans Series
Complete2 books (1926–1927)
Edgar Wallace's Educated Evans series comprises two mystery novels published in 1926 and 1927. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with More Educated Evans followed by Good Evans, also known as The Educated Man. This concise, finished series represents Wallace's work in the mystery and thriller genre.
Start with More Educated Evans and read in order.
Start this series with More Educated Evans
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Elk Series
Complete4 books (1925–1930)
Edgar Wallace's Elk series comprises four complete books published between 1925 and 1930, beginning with The Fellowship of the Frog and continuing through The Joker, The Twister, and White Face. These mystery and thriller novels should be read in publication order to follow the connected narrative. The series blends elements of fantasy, horror, and suspenseful storytelling characteristic of Wallace's crime fiction work.
Start with The Fellowship of the Frog, the first of 4 books in the Elk series.
Start this series with The Fellowship of the Frog
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Gothic Fantasy Series
Ongoing95 books (1667–2026)
The Gothic Fantasy series is a 91-book collection spanning from 1667 to 2026, featuring an ongoing anthology of gothic, horror, fantasy, and mystery works. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Paradise Lost & Other Poems by John Milton and progressing through classic literature, short story compilations, and contemporary additions. The collection includes works by canonical authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and Bram Stoker alongside modern fantasy and horror short stories. This comprehensive series appeals to readers interested in the evolution of gothic and dark fantasy across centuries.
Start with Paradise Lost & Other Poems(By: John Milton), the first of 91 books in the Gothic Fantasy series.
Start this series with Paradise Lost & Other Poems(By: John Milton)
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| 4 |  Chilling Ghost Short Stories(By: Charles Dickens,Arthur Conan Doyle,Edgar Allan Poe,Robert Louis Stevenson,Wilkie Collins,Nikolai Gogol,J. Sheridan Le Fanu,E. Nesbit,Henry James,W.W. Jacobs,Oscar Wilde,Washington Irving,Edith Wharton,M.R. James,James Dorr,E.F. Benson,Mary E. Wilkins Freeman,Amanda C. Davis,Robert W. Chambers,Kurt Bachard,Raymond Little,Brian Rappatta,Tim Foley,Vonnie Winslow Crist,Michael Penkas,Jonathan Balog,Donna Cuttress,Luke Murphy,Annette Siketa,Philip Brian Hall,Rhiannon Rasmussen,Jeff Parsons,M.Regan,Zach Chapman,Lesa Pascavis Smith,Trevor Boelter,Laura Bulbeck,Dale Townshend,Cathy Smith) |
| 5 |  Chilling Horror Short Stories(By: Charles Dickens,Arthur Conan Doyle,Bram Stoker,Edgar Allan Poe,Robert Louis Stevenson,Elizabeth Gaskell,J. Sheridan Le Fanu,Guy de Maupassant,Thomas Hardy,Ambrose Bierce,H.P. Lovecraft,Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley,Nathaniel Hawthorne,Edith Wharton,D.H. Lawrence,Lucy Taylor,William Hope Hodgson,A. Merritt,John Buchan,F. Marion Crawford,Robert E. Howard,C.L. Moore,Frank Long,Robert W. Chambers,Rebecca J. Allred,Frank Roger,Gwendolyn Kiste,Elise Forier Edie,Michael Paul Gonzalez,D.J. Tyrer,William R.D. Wood,Kristopher Triana,James Lecky,Glen Damien Campbell,Justin Coates,John H. Dromey,Andrew J. Wilson,Bill Kte'pi,Ed Grabianowski,Gillian Whitaker,Nick Wells,Laura Bulbeck,Dale Townshend,Michael Bondies,David A Elsensohn,Eric Esser,John Neruda,Frances Bodlam,Josie Mitchell) |
| 6 |  Science Fiction Short Stories(By: David Tallerman,Rachael K. Jones,Sarah Hans,Brian Trent,Adrian Ludens,Keyan Bowes,Beth Cato,Andy Sawyer,Zach Shephard,Alexis A. Hunter,M. Darusha Wehm,Edward Ahern,Patrick Tumblety,Donald Jacob Uitvlugt,Kate O'Connor,Conor Powers-Smith,Stewart C. Baker,MikeMorgan,Nemma Wollenfang,Jacob M. Lambert,Laura Bulbeck,Rob Hartzell) |
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| 8 |  Dystopia Utopia Short Stories(By: Rudyard Kipling,Jack London,Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley,Fyodor Dostoevsky,Kim Antieau,Voltaire,William Morris,Claude Lalumière,Robert W. Chambers,Samuel Butler,Gerri Leen,Konstantine Paradias,M. Darusha Wehm,Thomas More,Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain,Edward Bellamy,Carolyn Charron,Jeremy Szal,J.M. Templet,Steve Carr,Richard Jefferies,Michelle Kaseler,Andrew J. Wilson,Nidhi Singh,Jeff Parsons,Sarah Lyn Eaton,Megan Dorei,Dave Golder,Kelsey Shannahan,Russ Thorne) |
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| 21 |  Alien Invasion Short Stories(By: H.G. Wells,H.P. Lovecraft,Jonathan Swift,A. Merritt,Voltaire,Claude Lalumière,Rich Larson,Rachael K. Jones,George Allan England,Patrick Parrinder,Austin Hall,William R.D. Wood,John Walters,Bo Balder,Maria Haskins,Garrett P. Serviss,Sunil Patel,Jennifer Rachel Baumer,Laura Pearlman,Robert Potter,Tim Pieraccini,Angus McIntyre,Suo Hefu,George Chesney,Stephen G. Parks,Eric Reitan,S.A. Westerley) |
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| 31 |  Robots & Artificial Intelligence Short Stories(By: George Cotronis,Rich Larson,Rachael K. Jones,Bruce Golden,Holly Lyn Walrath,Monte Lin,Eleanor R. Wood,David Sklar,Nemma Wollenfang,Deborah Davitt,Trixie Nisbet,Luke Dormehl,Roan Clay,Jeff Deck,Christopher Geeson,Rob Hartzell,Nathaniel Hosford,Chloie Piveral,Claire Sorrenson,Sara Uckelman) |
| 32 |  American Gothic Short Stories(By: Ramsey Campbell,Lucy A. Snyder,Lina Rather,Sean Logan,Wendy Nikel,Christi Nogle,Lynette Mejía,Madison McSweeney,Russell James,M.Regan,Monika Elbert,Terri Bruce,Maxx Fidalgo,Joshua Hiles,Clayton Kroh,Joe Nazare,Rebecca Ring,Mike Robinson,Valerie B. Williams,Nemma Wollenfang) |
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| 35 |  Haunted House Short Stories(By: Edgar Allan Poe,O. Henry,Elizabeth Gaskell,J. Sheridan Le Fanu,Guy de Maupassant,E. Nesbit,Rudyard Kipling,Ramsey Campbell,Ambrose Bierce,W.W. Jacobs,H.P. Lovecraft,Mark Twain,Edith Wharton,Mary Elizabeth Braddon,Charlotte Perkins Gilman,M.R. James,Charlotte Eliza Riddell,E.F. Benson,William Hope Hodgson,Mary E. Wilkins Freeman,Edward Bulwer-Lytton,John Everson,Arthur Quiller-Couch,Rhoda Broughton,Bernard Capes,Gwendolyn Kiste,Hugh Walpole,Ralph Adams Cram,Mikal Trimm,Mrs. Oliphant,Zach Shephard,B.M. Croker,Shannon Fay,Morgan Sylvia,Kurt Newton,Tom English,Adele Gardner,Rebecca Buchanan,Rebecca Janicker,H.B. Diaz,Marina Favila,Bill Kte'pi,M.Regan) |
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| 38 |  Urban Crime Short Stories(By: Ramsey Campbell,Josh Pachter,Judi Calhoun,David Tallerman,Rich Larson,Meg Elison,Dan Micklethwaite,Thana Niveau,Michael Penncavage,T.J. Berg,Chris Wheatley,Alexandra Renwick,Leo X. Robertson,K.W. Roberts,Rachel Watts,Jennifer Quail,Trixie Nisbet,Christopher P. Semtner,C.L. McDaniel,Salinda Tyson) |
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| 47 |  Lovecraft Mythos New & Classic Collection(By: Robert Bloch,Ramsey Campbell,Ambrose Bierce,H.P. Lovecraft,Fritz Leiber,Henry Kuttner,Hal Bodner,Clark Ashton Smith,William Browning Spencer,Mark Samuels,Robert E. Howard,Victor LaValle,Frank Long,Lord Dunsany,Arthur Machen,Caitlín R. Kiernan,Robert W. Chambers,Nancy Kilpatrick,JG Faherty,Rachael K. Jones,Cody Goodfellow,Evey Brett,John Llewellyn Probert,Zealia Bishop,Hazel Heald,Jonathan Thomas,Donald Tyson,Thana Niveau,Douglas Wynne,Helen E. Davis,N.R. Lambert,Scott R. Jones,Gillian Whitaker,Nick Wells,Taylor Bentley,Catherine Taylor,Caroline Watson,August E. Derleth,John Possidente,R.S. Stefoff) |
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| 49 | Witches, Wizards, Seers & Healers Myths & Tales(By: Abbie Farwell Brown,Andrew Lang,Jacob Grimm,Wilhelm Grimm,Joseph Jacobs,Yei Theodora Ozaki,Douglas Hyde,Thomas Malory,Jeremiah Curtin,Henry Rowe Schoolcraft,Lewis Spence,Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford,James Mooney,Charles Godfrey Leland,Florence Holbrook,E.A. Wallis Budge,Richard Wilhelm,F. Hadland Davis,Norman Hinsdale Pitman,Yi Ryuk,Charles Montgomery Skinner,Edmund Leamy,Sophia Morrison,William Elliot Griffis,James Scarth Gale,Elphinstone Dayrell,Alice Werner,M.I. Ogumefu,William Butler Yeats,Diane Purkiss,George W. Bateman,Elsie Finnimore Buckley,Margaret Compton,Jonathan Ceredig Davies,George Douglas,Alice Elizabeth Dracott,George Grey,Francis Hindes Groome,H.A. Guerber,Eleanor Hull,W.F. Kirby,Ignác Kúnos,Minnie Martin,Frederick H. Martens,W.R.S. Ralston,A.G. Seklemian,Chauncy Hugh Stigand,J.R. Walker,E.T.C. Werner,William Drake Westervelt,Lady Wilde,Albert Henry Wratislaw) |
| 50 | Witches, Wizards, Seers & Healers Myths & Tales(By: Abbie Farwell Brown,Andrew Lang,Jacob Grimm,Wilhelm Grimm,Joseph Jacobs,Yei Theodora Ozaki,Douglas Hyde,Thomas Malory,Jeremiah Curtin,Henry Rowe Schoolcraft,Lewis Spence,James Mooney,Charles Godfrey Leland,Florence Holbrook,E.A. Wallis Budge,Richard Wilhelm,F. Hadland Davis,Norman Hinsdale Pitman,Yi Ryuk,Charles Montgomery Skinner,Edmund Leamy,Sophia Morrison,William Elliot Griffis,James Scarth Gale,Elphinstone Dayrell,Alice Werner,M.I. Ogumefu,William Butler Yeats,Diane Purkiss,George W. Bateman,Elsie Finnimore Buckley,Margaret Compton,Jonathan Ceredig Davies,George Douglas,Alice Elizabeth Dracott,George Grey,Francis Hindes Groome,H.A. Guerber,Eleanor Hull,W.F. Kirby,Ignác Kúnos,Minnie Martin,Frederick H. Martens,W.R.S. Ralston,A.G. Seklemian,Chauncy Hugh Stigand,J.R. Walker,E.T.C. Werner,William Drake Westervelt,Lady Wilde,Albert Henry Wratislaw) |
| 51 | Black Sci-Fi Short Stories(By: K. Tempest Bradford,Russell Nichols,Wole Talabi,W.E.B. Du Bois,Tara Campbell,Walidah Imarisha,James Beamon,Martin R. Delany,Sandra M. Grayson,Patty Nicole Johnson,Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins,Temi Oh,Michelle F. Goddard,Tia Ross,Harambee K. Grey-Sun,Sutton E. Griggs,Emmalia Harrington,Edward Johnson,Megan Pindling,Sylvie Soul,Lyle Stiles) |
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J.G. Reeder Series
Complete7 books (1924–1932)
The J.G. Reeder series consists of seven mystery novels by Edgar Wallace published between 1924 and 1932, with the complete sequence available in publication order. Beginning with Room 13 and concluding with The Guv'nor, the series follows the cases and investigations of the titular detective character across early twentieth-century crime fiction. Though Wallace is known for multiple genres including fantasy and horror, this particular series focuses on mystery and thriller elements. The books should be read in their original publication sequence to experience the character's development and the progression of his cases.
Start with Room 13, the first of 7 books in the J.G. Reeder series.
Start this series with Room 13
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Lieutenant Bones Series
Complete3 books (1915–1923)
Edgar Wallace's Lieutenant Bones series comprises three complete novels published between 1915 and 1923. These mystery and thriller adventures should be read in publication order, beginning with Bones, followed by Bones in London, and concluding with Bones of the River. The series stands as a finished work showcasing Wallace's contribution to early twentieth-century genre fiction.
Start with Bones and read in order.
Start this series with Bones
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Mystery League Series
Complete5 books (1926–2008)
The Mystery League is a five-book mystery series that began in 1926 and concluded in 2008. The books should be read in publication order, starting with The Day of Uniting. This complete series blends mystery and thriller elements across its individual entries, which were written by Edgar Wallace and various collaborators including Miles Burton and Achmed Abdullah.
Start with The Day of Uniting, the first of 5 books in the Mystery League series.
Start this series with The Day of Uniting
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete5 books (1914–2015)
Edgar Wallace's Non-Fiction series consists of five books published between 1914 and 2015, presenting a complete collection that should be read in publication order. The series includes Famous Scottish Regiments, The Standard History of the War, People: A Short Autobiography, This England, and Kitchener's Army, spanning Wallace's observations on military history, autobiography, and English society. These works showcase the prolific author's ventures beyond his typical mystery and thriller genres into factual historical and personal documentation.
Start with Famous Scottish Regiments, the first of 5 books in the Non-Fiction series.
Start this series with Famous Scottish Regiments
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Smithy Series
Complete1 book (2016–2016)
Standalone Novels Series
Complete82 books (1904–1986)
Edgar Wallace's 82 standalone novels span from 1904 to 1986, offering readers a complete collection of independent mystery, thriller, and fantasy stories that can be enjoyed in any order. Each novel presents its own self-contained plot and characters, though reading them in publication order beginning with The African Millionaire provides a chronological view of Wallace's evolving storytelling style across genres including fantasy, horror, and non-fiction elements. The series is fully complete and encompasses classics like The Clue of the Twisted Candle, Kate Plus Ten, and The Green Rust alongside numerous other distinctive entries in mystery and adventure fiction.
Start with The African Millionaire, the first of 82 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with The African Millionaire
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Supt. Minter Series
Complete2 books (1927–1929)
This two-book mystery series by Edgar Wallace features Superintendent Minter and was completed between 1927 and 1929. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Big Foot followed by The Lone House Mystery. Wallace's detective tales blend mystery with elements of suspense characteristic of the prolific thriller writer's work.
Start with Big Foot and read in order.
Start this series with Big Foot
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T.B. Smith Series
Complete2 books (1910–1914)
This complete T.B. Smith series by Edgar Wallace comprises two books published between 1910 and 1914. The series should be read in publication order to follow the narrative as originally presented. These mystery and thriller entries showcase Wallace's early work in crime fiction.
Start with The Nine Bears / The Other Man / The Cheaters / Silinski, Master Criminal and read in order.
Start this series with The Nine Bears / The Other Man / The Cheaters / Silinski, Master Criminal
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The Four Just Men Series
Complete5 books (1905–1929)
Edgar Wallace's The Four Just Men series comprises five complete books published between 1905 and 1929, beginning with the titular The Four Just Men and concluding with The Three Just Men. The novels follow a cast of vigilantes working outside the law to dispense their own brand of justice, with the group's membership shifting across the installments. Readers should follow the books in publication order to experience the series as Wallace intended, watching the characters and their mission evolve across nearly three decades of storytelling.
Start with The Four Just Men, the first of 5 books in the The Four Just Men series.
Start this series with The Four Just Men
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The Ringer Series
Complete2 books (1925–1929)
This two-book mystery series by Edgar Wallace spans from 1925 to 1929 and is now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Ringer followed by Again the Ringer, also known as The Ringer Returns. Wallace's contribution to mystery and thriller fiction is on full display in this compact series.
Start with The Ringer and read in order.
Start this series with The Ringer
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Edgar Wallace written?
- Edgar Wallace has written 240 books across 17 series. Their published works span from 1667 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Edgar Wallace series?
- Here are the first books in Edgar Wallace's series: Anthologies: The Pocket Book of Mystery Stories; Collections: Writ In Barracks; Commissioner Sanders: Sanders of the River; Educated Evans: More Educated Evans; Elk: The Fellowship of the Frog.
- What order should I read Edgar Wallace's books?
- We recommend reading Edgar Wallace's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Edgar Wallace still writing new books?
- Yes, Edgar Wallace has 1 ongoing series: Gothic Fantasy.