James Lee Burke Reading Order
9 series · 69 books
James Lee Burke is a prominent American novelist celebrated for his compelling crime fiction and rich storytelling, particularly in the Dave Robicheaux series. With a remarkable career spanning from 1965 to 2026, he has authored 69 books across nine series, including the Holland Family Universe and the Hackberry Holland series. Burke’s most notable works, such as Black Cherry Blues and Cimarron Rose, have earned him multiple Edgar Awards and prestigious recognition in the literary world.
Anthologies Series
Complete7 books (1990–2014)
Start with Louisiana Stories, the first of 7 books in the Anthologies series.
Billy Bob Holland Series
Complete4 books (1997–2004)
Start with Cimarron Rose, the first of 4 books in the Billy Bob Holland series.
Dave Robicheaux Series
Ongoing25 books (1987–2026)
Start with The Neon Rain, the first of 25 books in the Dave Robicheaux series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Neon Rain 1987Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Heaven's Prisoners 1988Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Black Cherry Blues 1989Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  A Morning for Flamingos 1990Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  A Stained White Radiance 1992Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead 1993Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Dixie City Jam 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Burning Angel 1995Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  Cadillac Jukebox 1996Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Sunset Limited 1996Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Purple Cane Road 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Jolie Blon's Bounce 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 | Last Car to Elysian Fields 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Crusader's Cross 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 |  Pegasus Descending 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  The Tin Roof Blowdown 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 |  Swan Peak 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 |  The Glass Rainbow 2010Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  Creole Belle 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 |  Light of the World 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 |  Robicheaux 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 |  The New Iberia Blues 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 23 |  A Private Cathedral 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 24 | Clete 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 25 | The Hadacol Boogie 2026Buy 🇺🇸 |
Hackberry Holland Series
Ongoing7 books (1971–2025)
Start with Lay Down My Sword and Shield, the first of 7 books in the Hackberry Holland series.
Holland Family Universe Series
Ongoing14 books (1971–2025)
Start with Lay Down My Sword and Shield, the first of 14 books in the Holland Family Universe series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Lay Down My Sword and Shield 1971Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Two for Texas 1982Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Cimarron Rose 1997Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Heartwood 1999Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Bitterroot 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  In the Moon of Red Ponies 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Rain Gods 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Feast Day of Fools 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  Wayfaring Stranger 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  House of the Rising Sun 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  The Jealous Kind 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Another Kind of Eden 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Every Cloak Rolled in Blood 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie 2025Buy 🇺🇸 |
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (1992–1992)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Texas City, 1947 1992Buy 🇺🇸 |
Short Story Collections Series
Ongoing3 books (1985–2024)
Start with The Convict and the Other Stories and read in order.
Standalone Novels Series
Likely Complete6 books (1965–2023)
Start with Half of Paradise, the first of 6 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Weldon Holland Series
Complete2 books (2014–2016)
Start with Wayfaring Stranger and read in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has James Lee Burke written?
- James Lee Burke has written 69 books across 9 series. Their published works span from 1965 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each James Lee Burke series?
- Here are the first books in James Lee Burke's series: Anthologies: Louisiana Stories; Billy Bob Holland: Cimarron Rose; Dave Robicheaux: The Neon Rain; Hackberry Holland: Lay Down My Sword and Shield; Holland Family Universe: Lay Down My Sword and Shield.
- What order should I read James Lee Burke's books?
- We recommend reading James Lee Burke's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is James Lee Burke still writing new books?
- Yes, James Lee Burke has 4 ongoing series: Dave Robicheaux, Hackberry Holland, Holland Family Universe, Short Story Collections.