Howard Owen Reading Order
4 series · 144 books · Born 1949
Howard Owen crafts literary mysteries and crime fiction that blend sophisticated storytelling with compelling narratives of detection and moral complexity. His Willie Black series has become a cornerstone of contemporary crime fiction, while his contributions to the Akashic Noir anthologies showcase his versatility across multiple voices and settings. A Hammett Prize winner whose career spans from the early 1990s to the present, Owen demonstrates how genre fiction can achieve literary depth without sacrificing the momentum and intrigue that keep readers engaged.
Akashic Noir Series
Ongoing121 books (2002–2025)
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 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | |
| 18 | |
| 19 | |
| 20 | |
| 21 | |
| 22 | |
| 23 | |
| 24 | |
| 25 | |
| 26 | |
| 27 | |
| 28 | |
| 29 | |
| 30 | |
| 31 | |
| 32 | |
| 33 | |
| 34 | |
| 35 | |
| 36 | |
| 37 | |
| 38 | |
| 39 | |
| 40 | |
| 41 | |
| 42 | |
| 43 | |
| 44 | |
| 45 | |
| 46 | |
| 47 | |
| 48 | |
| 49 | |
| 50 | |
| 51 | |
| 52 | |
| 53 | |
| 54 | |
| 55 | |
| 56 | |
| 57 | |
| 58 | |
| 59 | |
| 60 | |
| 61 | |
| 62 | |
| 63 | |
| 64 | |
| 65 | |
| 66 | |
| 67 | |
| 68 | |
| 69 | |
| 70 | |
| 71 | |
| 72 | |
| 73 | |
| 74 | |
| 75 | |
| 76 | |
| 77 | |
| 78 | |
| 79 | |
| 80 | |
| 81 | |
| 82 | |
| 83 | |
| 84 | |
| 85 | |
| 86 | |
| 87 | |
| 88 | |
| 89 | |
| 90 | |
| 91 | |
| 92 | |
| 93 | |
| 94 | |
| 95 | |
| 96 | |
| 97 | |
| 98 | |
| 99 | |
| 100 | |
| 101 | |
| 102 | |
| 103 | |
| 104 | |
| 105 | |
| 106 | |
| 107 | |
| 108 | |
| 109 | |
| 110 | |
| 111 | |
| 112 | |
| 113 | |
| 114 | |
| 115 | |
| 116 | |
| 117 | |
| 118 | |
| 119 | |
| 120 | |
| 121 |
Littlejohn Series
Complete2 books (1992–2007)
Start with Littlejohn and read in order.
Start this series with Littlejohn
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleStandalone Novels Series
Complete8 books (1994–2018)
Start with Fat Lightning, the first of 8 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Fat Lightning
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleWillie Black Series
Ongoing13 books (2012–2024)
Start with Oregon Hill, the first of 13 books in the Willie Black series.
Start this series with Oregon Hill
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Howard Owen written?
- Howard Owen has written 144 books across 4 series. Their published works span from 1992 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Howard Owen series?
- Here are the first books in Howard Owen's series: Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Littlejohn: Littlejohn; Willie Black: Oregon Hill.
- What order should I read Howard Owen's books?
- We recommend reading Howard Owen's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Howard Owen still writing new books?
- Yes, Howard Owen has 2 ongoing series: Akashic Noir, Willie Black.

