Reading Order List β€” Book Series Reading Order Guide
F. Paul Wilson

F. Paul Wilson Reading Order

25 series Β· 241 books Β· Born 1946-05-17

F. Paul Wilson is a prolific American writer whose four-decade career spans science fiction, horror, and young adult fiction across more than two hundred forty books. Best known for the interconnected Adversary Cycle, a sweeping supernatural saga that weaves together multiple storylines and characters across decades, Wilson has also built devoted followings around his Codename: Chandler spy thrillers and numerous anthology contributions. His versatile output demonstrates equal facility with adult horror, intricate science fiction concepts, and stories for younger readers, making him a rare author capable of engaging audiences across multiple genres and age groups.

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Adversary Cycle Series

Complete

7 books (1981–2020)

F. Paul Wilson's Adversary Cycle comprises seven books published between 1981 and 2020, with the series now complete. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with The Keep and concluding with Signalz. This horror and science fiction series blends Wilson's distinctive storytelling across standalone yet interconnected narratives spanning nearly four decades of publishing.

Start with The Keep, the first of 7 books in the Adversary Cycle series.

Anthologies Series

Complete

56 books (1971–2019)

This complete anthology series spans 56 books published between 1971 and 2019, featuring F. Paul Wilson's science fiction, horror, and fantasy contributions across multiple collections. Readers should follow publication order, beginning with the August 1971 issue of Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact. The series includes appearances in landmark anthologies such as Isaac Asimov's Marvels of Science Fiction, Best New Horror, and The Mammoth Book of Vampires, showcasing Wilson's versatility across genre boundaries over nearly five decades.

Start with Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1971, the first of 56 books in the Anthologies series.

Start this series with Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1971

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#Title
1
Cover of Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1971
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1971
2
3
Cover of Isaac Asimov's Marvels of Science Fiction
Isaac Asimov's Marvels of Science Fiction
4
5
Twilight Zone Magazine, December 1985
6
7
8
Hot Blood Tales of Erotic Horror
9
10
The Year's Best Fantasy: Second Annual Collection
11
Cover of Drabble II: Double Century
Drabble II: Double Century
12
13
14
15
Cover of The Mammoth Book of Vampires
The Mammoth Book of Vampires
16
Cover of The Giant Book of Best New Horror
The Giant Book of Best New Horror
17
18
19
20
21
Cover of The Mammoth Book of Dracula
The Mammoth Book of Dracula
22
23
Cover of The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, #11
The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, #11
24
25
26
27
Cover of The Mammoth Book of New Terror
The Mammoth Book of New Terror
28
Cover of The Many Faces of Van Helsing
The Many Faces of Van Helsing
29
30
31
32
Cover of The Best of Cemetery Dance II
The Best of Cemetery Dance II
33
Black Spiral Twisted Tales of TERROR
34
Masters Of Horror: Damned If You Don't
35
Rage Against the Night
36
37
Rock On: The Greatest Hits of Science Fiction & Fantasy
38
39
40
Cover of Mister October, Volume I: An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala
Mister October, Volume I: An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala
41
The Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs
42
43
44
Cover of Piercing the Darkness
Piercing the Darkness
45
Cover of The Starry Wisdom Library
The Starry Wisdom Library
46
Crimespree Magazine #58
47
Cover of Never Fear - Christmas Terrors
Never Fear - Christmas Terrors
48
Cover of Never Fear - Phobias: Everyone Fears Something...
Never Fear - Phobias: Everyone Fears Something...
49
50
Cover of In the Footsteps of Dracula
In the Footsteps of Dracula
51
Never Fear - The Apocalypse
52
53
54
55
56
Tales of the Lost, Volume 1

Bibliomysteries Series

Likely Complete

40 books (2012–2022)

Bibliomysteries is an anthology series of 40 mystery and crime short stories published between 2012 and 2022, featuring contributions from renowned authors including Jeffery Deaver, Nelson DeMille, Laura Lippman, and many others. Each standalone story centers on books, libraries, or literary elements as central to the mystery. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with An Acceptable Sacrifice by Jeffery Deaver, and appears to be complete as of 2022.

Start with An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver), the first of 40 books in the Bibliomysteries series.

Start this series with An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)

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#Title
1
Cover of An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)
An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)
2
Death Leaves a Bookmark(By: William Link)
3
Cover of Pronghorns of the Third Reich(By: C.J. Box)
Pronghorns of the Third Reich(By: C.J. Box)
4
The Book Case(By: Nelson DeMille)
5
Cover of The Book Thing(By: Laura Lippman)
The Book Thing(By: Laura Lippman)
6
Cover of The Book of Virtue(By: Ken Bruen)
The Book of Virtue(By: Ken Bruen)
7
Rides a Stranger(By: David Bell)
8
The Book of Ghosts(By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
9
The Final Testament(By: Peter Blauner)
10
The Long Sonata of the Dead(By: Andrew Taylor)
11
Book Club(By: Loren D. Estleman)
12
It's in the Book(By: Max Allan Collins,Mickey Spillane)
13
Remaindered(By: Peter Lovesey)
14
The Compendium of Srem
15
The Gospel of Sheba(By: Lyndsay Faye)
16
The Nature of My Inheritance(By: Bradford Morrow)
17
Cover of The Scroll(By: Anne Perry)
The Scroll(By: Anne Perry)
18
The Sequel(By: R.L. Stine)
19
What's in a Name?(By: Thomas H. Cook)
20
Condor in the Stacks(By: James Grady)
21
Every Seven Years(By: Denise Mina)
22
From the Queen(By: Carolyn Hart)
23
Mystery, Inc.(By: Joyce Carol Oates)
24
The Book of the Lion(By: Thomas Perry)
25
The Little Men(By: Megan Abbott)
26
Citadel(By: Stephen Hunter)
27
Dead Dames Don't Sing(By: John Harvey)
28
Reconciliation Day(By: Christopher Fowler)
29
The Haze(By: James W. Hall)
30
Cover of The Travelling Companion(By: Ian Rankin)
The Travelling Companion(By: Ian Rankin)
31
Hoodoo Harry(By: Joe R. Lansdale)
32
Seven Years(By: Peter Robinson)
33
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository(By: John Connolly)
34
The Hemingway Valise(By: Robert Olen Butler)
35
The Last Honest Horse Thief(By: Michael Koryta)
36
The Pretty Little Box(By: Charles Todd)
37
The Girl Who Did Say No(By: David Handler)
38
The Dark Door(By: Lisa Unger)
39
The Honeymoon Trap(By: Peter Swanson)
40
The Traitor(By: Martin Edwards)

Children's Series

Complete

1 book (2000–2000)

#Title
1
Cover of The Christmas Thingy
The Christmas Thingy

Codename: Chandler Series

Ongoing

9 books (2011–2025)

The Codename: Chandler series spans nine books published between 2011 and 2025, with the sequence still ongoing. Most entries were co-written by Ann Voss Peterson and J.A. Konrath, with F. Paul Wilson credited as series author. Readers should follow publication order beginning with Flee to experience the full narrative arc as intended. The series blends science fiction and young adult elements across its expanding catalog.

Start with Flee(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath), the first of 9 books in the Codename: Chandler series.

Start this series with Flee(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)

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#Title
1
Cover of Flee(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
Flee(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
2
Cover of Spree(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
Spree(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
3
Cover of Three(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
Three(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
4
Exposed(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
5
Hit(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
6
Naughty(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
7
8
Rescue(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)
9
Free(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath)

Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2020–2020)

#Title
1
Three Films and a Play(With: Matthew J. Costello)

Duad Series

Likely Complete

2 books (2021–2023)

The Duad series by F. Paul Wilson consists of two science fiction novels published between 2021 and 2023. Begin with Double Threat followed by Double Dose, reading them in publication order. The series appears to be complete at two books.

Start with Double Threat and read in order.

Mysterious Profiles Series

Ongoing

34 books (2022–2025)

Mysterious Profiles is an ongoing series of 33 books published between 2022 and 2025, featuring profiles of iconic detective and crime fiction characters created by various authors. The series includes entries on celebrated protagonists such as Jack Reacher, Hieronymus Bosch, Inspector Morse, and Charlie Parker, among many others, spanning multiple detective fiction franchises and styles. These books should be read in publication order to follow the series as intended. Each entry explores a different character's background, methods, and significance within crime and mystery literature.

Start with Alex Delaware(By: Jonathan Kellerman), the first of 33 books in the Mysterious Profiles series.

Start this series with Alex Delaware(By: Jonathan Kellerman)

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#Title
1
Alex Delaware(By: Jonathan Kellerman)
2
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast(By: Douglas Preston)
3
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast(By: Douglas Preston,Lincoln Child)
4
Amos Walker(By: Loren D. Estleman)
5
Bob Lee Swagger(By: Stephen Hunter)
6
Charlie Parker(By: John Connolly)
7
Charlie Resnick(By: John Harvey)
8
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt(By: Anne Perry)
9
Dismas Hardy(By: John Lescroart)
10
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike(By: Robert Crais)
11
Hieronymus Bosch(By: Michael Connelly)
12
Ian Rutledge(By: Charles Todd)
13
Inspector Morse(By: Colin Dexter)
14
Jack Reacher(By: Lee Child)
15
Jack Taylor(By: Ken Bruen)
16
Jane Whitefield(By: Thomas Perry)
17
John Rebus(By: Ian Rankin)
18
Lincoln Rhyme(By: Jeffery Deaver)
19
Lou Boldt(By: Ridley Pearson)
20
Maisie Dobbs(By: Jacqueline Winspear)
21
Mallory(By: Carol O'Connell)
22
Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus(By: Faye Kellerman)
23
Precious Ramotswe(By: Alexander McCall Smith)
24
Rambo(By: David Morrell)
25
Spenser(By: Robert B. Parker)
26
Tess Monaghan(By: Laura Lippman)
27
The Lincoln Lawyer(By: Michael Connelly)
28
Ben Kincaid(By: William Bernhardt)
29
Condor(By: James Grady)
30
31
Joe Pickett(By: C.J. Box)
32
Nathan Heller(By: Max Allan Collins)
33
Peter Diamond(By: Peter Lovesey)
34
Orphan X(By: Gregg Hurwitz)

Night Visions Series

Complete

11 books (1984–2006)

F. Paul Wilson's Night Visions series comprises 11 complete books published between 1984 and 2006, blending science fiction and horror across the collection. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Night Visions: In the Blood and continuing through Night Visions 12. These standalone-oriented entries allow readers to experience Wilson's dark speculative fiction independently, though reading sequentially provides the fullest experience of the author's evolving vision across the two-decade span.

Start with Night Visions: In the Blood, the first of 11 books in the Night Visions series.

Start this series with Night Visions: In the Blood

Buy Book 1 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸŽ§ Listen free on Audible

Nocturnia Series

Complete

1 book (2013–2013)

#Title
1
Cover of Definitely Not Kansas
Definitely Not Kansas

Repairman Jack Series

Complete

18 books (1984–2019)

The Repairman Jack series consists of 18 complete novels published between 1984 and 2019 and should be read in publication order starting with The Tomb. This science fiction and horror series follows the adventures of its titular character across interconnected standalone stories that gradually build toward larger mythological elements. The series concludes with Ground Zero and three additional final installments that bring the overarching narrative to completion.

Start with The Tomb, the first of 18 books in the Repairman Jack series.

Repairman Jack Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

1 book (2017–2017)

#Title
1
Interlude at Duane's

Repairman Jack Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2011–2011)

Repairman Jack: Scar-Lip Redux Series

Complete

1 book (2020–2020)

#Title
1
Cover of F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack: Scar-Lip Redux
F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack: Scar-Lip Redux

Repairman Jack: The Early Years Series

Complete

3 books (2012–2014)

This three-book series by F. Paul Wilson follows Repairman Jack's early adventures, published between 2012 and 2014. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Cold City and continuing through Dark City and Fear City. These books explore the origins of the iconic character before his later standalone adventures and interconnected novels.

Start with Cold City and read in order.

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

10 books (1987–2018)

F. Paul Wilson's Short Stories/Novellas series spans ten books published between 1987 and 2018, collected in publication order beginning with Dat-Tay-Vao. The complete series includes Traps, Buckets, Pelts, The Barrens, Sex Slaves of the Dragon Tong, Reunion, Santa Jack, The Widow Lindley, and Wardenclyffe. These works blend science fiction, horror, and other genre elements across various narrative formats and lengths.

Start with Dat-Tay-Vao, the first of 10 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

Short Story Collections Series

Ongoing

6 books (1989–2024)

F. Paul Wilson's Short Story Collections series spans from 1989 to 2024 and currently includes six books of short fiction across science fiction, horror, and young adult genres. These collections should be read in publication order, beginning with Soft and Others and continuing through the most recent entry, Other Sandboxes. The series remains ongoing, with new collections potentially forthcoming from this prolific author.

Start with Soft and Others, the first of 6 books in the Short Story Collections series.

Sims Series

Complete

6 books (2000–2010)

F. Paul Wilson's Sims series comprises six science fiction and horror novels published between 2000 and 2010, concluding as a complete collection. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with La Causa and proceeding through Sims, The Portero Method, Meerm, Zero, and Thy Brother's Keeper. This young adult-oriented series blends speculative fiction with darker themes across its full arc.

Start with La Causa, the first of 6 books in the Sims series.

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

13 books (1990–2014)

F. Paul Wilson's Standalone Novels series comprises thirteen complete books published between 1990 and 2014 across multiple genres including science fiction, horror, and young adult. These works should be read in publication order, beginning with Midnight Mass and concluding with Demonsong, with several entries written in collaboration with other authors including Blake Crouch, Jeff Strand, J.A. Konrath, and Sarah Pinborough. Each novel stands alone as an independent story while forming part of the author's broader body of work during this period.

Start with Midnight Mass, the first of 13 books in the Standalone Novels series.

The Dream Weaver Books on Writing Fiction Series

Complete

2 books (2017–2018)

F. Paul Wilson's Dream Weaver Books on Writing Fiction is a completed two-book series published in 2017 and 2018 that should be read in publication order. The series consists of Where Nightmares Come From followed by It's Alive, offering craft instruction from the prolific author of science fiction and horror.

Start with Where Nightmares Come From and read in order.

Start this series with Where Nightmares Come From

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#Title
1
Where Nightmares Come From
2

The Hidden Series

Ongoing

2 books (2024–2024)

F. Paul Wilson's The Hidden is an ongoing science fiction and horror series for young adult readers consisting of two books published in 2024. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Lexie followed by The Upwelling.

Start with Lexie and read in order.

The ICE Sequence Series

Complete

3 books (2016–2019)

F. Paul Wilson's ICE Sequence is a completed three-book science fiction series spanning 2016 to 2019. The novelsβ€”Panacea, The God Gene, and The Void Protocolβ€”should be read in publication order to experience the story as intended. This trilogy blends science fiction and horror elements across its arc.

Start with Panacea and read in order.

The LaNague Federation Series

Complete

5 books (1976–1989)

The LaNague Federation is a complete five-book science fiction series by F. Paul Wilson published between 1976 and 1989. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Healer and continuing through Wheels Within Wheels, An Enemy of the State, The Tery, and Dydeetown World. This series spans more than a decade of releases and provides a comprehensive narrative arc best experienced from first book to last.

Start with Healer, the first of 5 books in the The LaNague Federation series.

The Secret History of the World Series

Complete

5 books (1988–2019)

F. Paul Wilson's Secret History of the World series comprises five books published between 1988 and 2019, blending science fiction, horror, and young adult elements across a completed narrative arc. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Black Wind and continuing through Sibs, The Barrens and Others, The Peabody-Ozymandias Traveling Circus & Oddity Emporium, and concluding with Secret Stories. This finished series offers readers a comprehensive exploration of Wilson's expansive fictional universe across nearly three decades of storytelling.

Start with Black Wind, the first of 5 books in the The Secret History of the World series.

#Title
1
2
3
Cover of The Barrens and Others
The Barrens and Others
4
Cover of The Peabody- Ozymandias Traveling Circus & Oddity Emporium
The Peabody- Ozymandias Traveling Circus & Oddity Emporium
5

Young Repairman Jack Series

Complete

3 books (2008–2010)

This complete young adult series by F. Paul Wilson consists of three books published between 2008 and 2010, following the early adventures of the resourceful protagonist Jack. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Secret Histories and continuing through Secret Circles and Secret Vengeance. These science fiction and horror tales blend mystery and action across their interconnected narrative arc.

Start with Secret Histories and read in order.

Start this series with Secret Histories

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has F. Paul Wilson written?
F. Paul Wilson has written 241 books across 25 series. Their published works span from 1971 to 2025.
What is the first book in each F. Paul Wilson series?
Here are the first books in F. Paul Wilson's series: Adversary Cycle: The Keep; Anthologies: Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1971; Bibliomysteries: An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver); Codename: Chandler: Flee(By: Ann Voss Peterson,J.A. Konrath); Duad: Double Threat.
What order should I read F. Paul Wilson's books?
We recommend reading F. Paul Wilson's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is F. Paul Wilson still writing new books?
Yes, F. Paul Wilson has 4 ongoing series: Codename: Chandler, Mysterious Profiles, Short Story Collections, The Hidden.

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