James Grady Reading Order
12 series · 262 books · Born 1949
James Grady is an American thriller and mystery author whose career spans five decades, beginning with his groundbreaking 1974 novel Condor. Best known for the Condor series featuring a reluctant spy caught in Cold War intrigue, Grady has become a prolific contributor to acclaimed short story anthologies including Akashic Noir and Bibliomysteries. His work blends espionage, noir elements, and psychological suspense across numerous interconnected series and standalone works that have established him as a significant voice in American thriller fiction.
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Akashic Noir Series
Ongoing121 books (2002–2025)
The Akashic Noir series is an extensive collection of 121 mystery and thriller anthologies, each spotlighting the noir fiction of a different city or region around the world. Beginning with San Francisco Noir in 2002 and continuing through 2025, this ongoing series has expanded to encompass locations from Brooklyn and Chicago to Dublin, London, and beyond. Readers should follow the books in publication order to experience how the series has evolved and grown across its two decades. Each volume features original stories by various authors that capture the dark, gritty character of its featured locale.
Start with San Francisco Noir, the first of 121 books in the Akashic Noir series.
Start this series with San Francisco Noir
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Anthologies Series
Ongoing10 books (1996–2025)
James Grady's Anthologies series comprises nine mystery and thriller collections published from 1996 to 2025, with the series still ongoing. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Unusual Suspects and continuing through the most recent entry, Criminal Pursuits: This Is Me. The series includes thematic collections such as Home Improvement: Undead Edition, Inherit the Dead, and Explosions: Stories of Our Landmined World, offering diverse short fiction across the mystery and thriller genres.
Start with Unusual Suspects, the first of 9 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Unusual Suspects
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Bibliomysteries Series
Likely Complete40 books (2012–2022)
Bibliomysteries is an anthology series of 40 mystery and thriller stories published between 2012 and 2022, featuring contributions from renowned authors including Jeffery Deaver, Laura Lippman, Nelson DeMille, and Reed Farrel Coleman. Each entry is a standalone story centered around books and literary themes, making them readable in any order, though publication order is recommended for those collecting the complete series. The series appears to be complete as of 2022, with stories ranging from traditional whodunits to psychological thrillers and genre-bending mysteries.
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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Condor Series
Complete8 books (1974–2015)
James Grady's Condor series spans seven complete novels published between 1974 and 2015, following the character across decades of espionage and thriller narratives. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Six Days of the Condor and concluding with Next Day of the Condor. This mystery and thriller collection tracks the evolution of its protagonist through various adventures in the world of intelligence and covert operations.
Start with Six Days of the Condor, the first of 7 books in the Condor series.
Start this series with Six Days of the Condor
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Condor Collections Series
Complete1 book (2019–2019)
Devlin Rourke Series
Complete2 books (1985–1987)
James Grady's Devlin Rourke series consists of two complete thriller novels published in the mid-1980s. The first book, Razor Game, launched the series in 1985, followed by Just a Shot Away in 1987. These entries should be read in publication order to follow the character's development across both installments.
Start with Razor Game and read in order.
Start this series with Razor Game
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleGargoyle Series
Likely Complete28 books (1980–2021)
Gargoyle is a 28-book series published between 1980 and 2021, likely now complete. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with issue 14. While primarily associated with mystery and thriller genres, this series represents a substantial body of work spanning over four decades.
Start with Gargoyle 14(By: Richard Peabody), the first of 28 books in the Gargoyle series.
Start this series with Gargoyle 14(By: Richard Peabody)
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| 16 | Gargoyle 57(With: Forrest Aguirre,Ben Loory,Kristine Ong Muslim,Joyce Mansour,Roberta Allen,Lynda Sexson,Nin Andrews,Curtis Smith,Robert Kloss,Ethel Rohan,Kim Chinquee,Janet Mitchell,Doug Rice,Corey Mesler,Ramola D,Patricia Smith,Nathan Leslie,Pilar Quintana,Marilyn Stablein,Adrian C. Louis,Richard Peabody,Jim Daniels,Colette Inez,Janice Eidus,Tom Carson,Molly Gaudry,Jonathan Mack,Brandel France de Bravo,Simiki Ghebremichael,Claire Blechman,Carolyn Cooke,Carmen Delzell,Stephanie Allen,Mary Bargteil,Michael Casey,Susann Cokal,Thaisa Frank,Aoife Mannix,Kris Saknusseumm,Susan Smith Nash,James Norcliffe,Zena Polin,Wena Poon,Tomaž Šalamun,Robert Scotellaro,Elisabeth Sheffield,Barry Silesky,Edgar Gabriel Silex,Daniel Stolar,Lee A. Tonouchi,Ronald Wallace,ElizabethWarren,C. Albert,Bill Wolak,Peter Tieryas Liu) |
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Harold Middleton Series
Complete3 books (2007–2014)
James Grady's Harold Middleton trilogy comprises three mystery and thriller novels published between 2007 and 2014, with the series now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Chopin Manuscript, followed by The Copper Bracelet, and concluding with The Starling Project: An Audible Drama. This series follows a consistent narrative arc 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 AudibleJohn Rankin Series
Complete2 books (1984–1985)
James Grady's John Rankin series consists of two completed mystery thrillers published in the mid-1980s. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Runner in the Street followed by Hard Bargains. This compact two-book series offers a focused exploration of its protagonist across consecutive releases from 1984 to 1985.
Start with Runner in the Street and read in order.
Start this series with Runner in the Street
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleMysterious Profiles Series
Ongoing34 books (2022–2025)
Mysterious Profiles is an ongoing anthology series featuring 33 books published between 2022 and 2025, each centered on a different detective or crime-solving character from popular mystery and thriller franchises. The series includes iconic protagonists such as Jack Reacher, Hieronymus Bosch, Charlie Parker, and Inspector Morse, along with many other beloved investigators from various authors. Readers should follow publication order to experience the series as intended. Each book stands alone as an entry point to its respective character's world, making the collection ideal for both devoted mystery fans and those discovering new detective series.
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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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (2011–2011)
Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing12 books (1976–2026)
James Grady has written eleven standalone mystery and thriller novels published between 1976 and 2025, with the series still ongoing. Each book can be read independently, though following publication order beginning with The Great Pebble Affair provides the most coherent experience of the author's evolving craft. The collection spans from his debut through recent works including American Sky and Shadows on Sidewalks, showcasing Grady's range within the crime and suspense genres.
Start with The Great Pebble Affair, the first of 11 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with The Great Pebble Affair
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has James Grady written?
- James Grady has written 262 books across 12 series. Their published works span from 1974 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each James Grady series?
- Here are the first books in James Grady's series: Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Anthologies: Unusual Suspects; Bibliomysteries: An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver); Condor: Six Days of the Condor; Devlin Rourke: Razor Game.
- What order should I read James Grady's books?
- We recommend reading James Grady's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is James Grady still writing new books?
- Yes, James Grady has 4 ongoing series: Akashic Noir, Anthologies, Mysterious Profiles, Standalone Novels.

