Gayle Lynds Reading Order
13 series · 536 books · Born 1945
Gayle Lynds is a prolific American mystery and thriller writer with a career spanning six decades and nearly five hundred published works. She is best known for her contributions to the Covert-One series, a high-stakes espionage franchise, as well as her original characters including intelligence operative Judd Ryder and art historian Eva Blake who navigate dangerous international conspiracies. Her extensive body of work across multiple series demonstrates her mastery of plot-driven narratives that blend action, suspense, and intricate storytelling for readers seeking intelligent thrillers.
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Anthologies Series
Complete6 books (2004–2017)
Gayle Lynds edited six mystery and thriller anthologies between 2004 and 2017, collecting short fiction from multiple acclaimed authors in the genre. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with I'd Kill For That and concluding with MatchUp. Each anthology brings together original stories that showcase diverse voices and styles within the mystery and thriller landscape.
Start with I'd Kill For That, the first of 6 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with I'd Kill For That
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Covert-One Series
Complete12 books (2000–2016)
The Covert-One series comprises twelve thriller novels published between 2000 and 2016, written by Gayle Lynds in collaboration with various authors including Robert Ludlum, Philip Shelby, Patrick Larkin, James H. Cobb, Kyle Mills, and Jamie Freveletti. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with The Hades Factor. These books feature espionage and high-stakes action across multiple international settings and storylines.
Start with The Hades Factor(With: Robert Ludlum), the first of 12 books in the Covert-One series.
Start this series with The Hades Factor(With: Robert Ludlum)
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Gayle Lynds Audiobooks Series
Complete1 book (2011–2011)
Harold Middleton Series
Complete3 books (2007–2014)
Gayle Lynds' Harold Middleton series consists of three books published between 2007 and 2014, with the final entry being an Audible drama production. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Chopin Manuscript and continuing through The Copper Bracelet before finishing with The Starling Project. These mystery and thriller novels follow a continuous narrative arc that unfolds across all three installments.
Start with The Chopin Manuscript and read in order.
Start this series with The Chopin Manuscript
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Judd Ryder & Eva Blake Series
Complete2 books (2007–2015)
Gayle Lynds' Judd Ryder and Eva Blake series comprises two international thriller novels published between 2007 and 2015. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Book of Spies, also titled The Library of Gold, followed by The Assassins. This pair of mystery and thriller novels follows the adventures of its protagonists across globe-spanning conspiracies and dangerous pursuits.
Start with The Book of Spies / The Library of Gold and read in order.
Start this series with The Book of Spies / The Library of Gold
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Liz Sansborough Series
Complete3 books (1996–2017)
The Liz Sansborough series by Gayle Lynds consists of three mystery thrillers published between 1996 and 2017. The complete trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Masquerade, followed by The Coil, and concluding with The Hunt for Dmitri. This series combines espionage and intrigue across its three volumes.
Start with Masquerade and read in order.
Start this series with Masquerade
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Mack Bolan Series
Complete179 books (1983–2018)
The Mack Bolan series is a long-running thriller collection spanning 179 books published between 1983 and 2018. While the series is complete, the individual entries are largely standalone adventures that can be read in publication order for maximum continuity. Created by Don Pendleton and continued by various authors including Gayle Lynds, the series follows intense action and mystery plotlines across its extensive catalog. Readers should start with Stony Man Doctrine to begin from the beginning of this comprehensive thriller series.
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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Nick Carter: Killmaster Series
Complete262 books (1964–1990)
Nick Carter: Killmaster is a complete spy thriller series comprising 262 books published between 1964 and 1990. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Checkmate in Rio. This prolific series follows secret agent Nick Carter on espionage missions across exotic global locations, from Rio de Janeiro to Saigon to Istanbul and beyond.
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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Standalone Novels Series
Complete3 books (1998–2006)
Gayle Lynds's three standalone thriller novels span from 1998 to 2006 and should be read in publication order: Mosaic, Mesmerized, and The Last Spymaster. While each book stands alone as a complete mystery and thriller story, readers will benefit from experiencing them in the sequence they were released. The series is now complete.
Start with Mosaic and read in order.
Start this series with Mosaic
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
The MatchUp Collection Series
Complete11 books (2017–2019)
The MatchUp Collection is a complete mystery and thriller series consisting of eleven books published between 2017 and 2019. Each entry features collaborative stories written by pairs of acclaimed authors, showcasing unique pairings and creative matchups throughout the series. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Deserves to Be Dead and concluding with Taking the Veil.
Start with Deserves to Be Dead(By: John Sandford,Lisa Jackson), the first of 11 books in the The MatchUp Collection series.
Start this series with Deserves to Be Dead(By: John Sandford,Lisa Jackson)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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The X-Files Series
Ongoing12 books (1994–2024)
The X-Files book series contains twelve novels published between 1994 and 2024, with contributions from multiple authors including Charles L. Grant, Kevin J. Anderson, Elizabeth Hand, and others. The series remains ongoing and should be read in publication order, beginning with Goblins. These mystery and thriller novels expand the universe of the iconic television franchise through original stories written by various genre authors.
Start with Goblins(By: Charles L. Grant), the first of 12 books in the The X-Files series.
Start this series with Goblins(By: Charles L. Grant)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Three Investigators Crimebuster Series
Complete3 books (1989–1990)
The Three Investigators Crimebuster series is a complete mystery trilogy by Gayle Lynds, consisting of Reel Trouble, Rough Stuff, and Fatal Error, published between 1989 and 1990. These books should be read in publication order to follow the story properly. The series is part of the broader Three Investigators franchise and belongs to the mystery and thriller genre.
Start with Reel Trouble and read in order.
Start this series with Reel Trouble
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
X-Files Anthology Series
Complete39 books (2015–2016)
The X-Files Anthology is a complete 39-book series published from 2015 to 2016, featuring short stories and novellas by various mystery and thriller authors set within the X-Files universe. Each entry stands alone as its own story while contributing to the broader world of paranormal investigation and conspiracy. Reading in publication order, beginning with Back in El Paso My Life Will Be Worthless by Keith R.A. DeCandido, provides the intended experience of this collaborative collection that showcases different creative interpretations of iconic characters and themes.
Start with Back in El Paso My Life Will Be Worthless(By: Keith R.A. DeCandido), the first of 39 books in the X-Files Anthology series.
Start this series with Back in El Paso My Life Will Be Worthless(By: Keith R.A. DeCandido)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Gayle Lynds written?
- Gayle Lynds has written 536 books across 13 series. Their published works span from 1964 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each Gayle Lynds series?
- Here are the first books in Gayle Lynds's series: Anthologies: I'd Kill For That; Covert-One: The Hades Factor(With: Robert Ludlum); Harold Middleton: The Chopin Manuscript; Judd Ryder & Eva Blake: The Book of Spies / The Library of Gold; Liz Sansborough: Masquerade.
- What order should I read Gayle Lynds's books?
- We recommend reading Gayle Lynds's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Gayle Lynds still writing new books?
- Yes, Gayle Lynds has 1 ongoing series: The X-Files.