Jake Needham Reading Order
6 series · 33 books
Jake Needham is an accomplished American novelist and screenwriter known for his gripping crime and espionage fiction. With a rich catalog of 33 books across six series, including popular titles like Charlie Trust and Inspector Samuel Tay, he captures the intrigue of Asia, where he has resided for more than 35 years. Active from 1999 to 2026, Needham's storytelling combines authenticity with suspense, making him a distinctive voice in modern literature.
Anthologies Series
Complete1 book (2013–2013)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Death Toll 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
Charlie Trust Series
Ongoing4 books (2025–2026)
Start with Habeas Corpus, the first of 4 books in the Charlie Trust series.
Inspector Samuel Tay Series
Ongoing9 books (2008–2025)
Start with The Ambassador's Wife, the first of 9 books in the Inspector Samuel Tay series.
Jack Shepherd Series
Likely Complete7 books (2002–2022)
Start with Laundry Man, the first of 7 books in the Jack Shepherd series.
Standalone Novels Series
Complete1 book (1999–1999)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Big Mango 1999Buy 🇺🇸 |
The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Series
Complete11 books (1999–2019)
Start with The Big Mango, the first of 11 books in the The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Big Mango 1999Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Laundry Man 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Killing Plato 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The Ambassador's Wife 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | A World of Trouble 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  The Umbrella Man 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  The Dead American 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  The King of Macau 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  The Girl in the Window 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Don't Get Caught 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  And Brother It's Starting To Rain 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Jake Needham written?
- Jake Needham has written 33 books across 6 series. Their published works span from 1999 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Jake Needham series?
- Here are the first books in Jake Needham's series: Charlie Trust: Habeas Corpus; Inspector Samuel Tay: The Ambassador's Wife; Jack Shepherd: Laundry Man; The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels: The Big Mango.
- What order should I read Jake Needham's books?
- We recommend reading Jake Needham's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Jake Needham still writing new books?
- Yes, Jake Needham has 2 ongoing series: Charlie Trust, Inspector Samuel Tay.