Jim Fusilli Reading Order
10 series · 315 books
Jim Fusilli is an accomplished novelist and music critic whose career spans journalism, cultural criticism, and crime fiction. A former rock-and-pop critic for The Wall Street Journal and NPR contributor, he brings his deep knowledge of music and popular culture into his writing. His crime novels feature the recurring character Harold Middleton, while his body of work includes contributions to respected anthology series and the Pet Sounds volume in the acclaimed 33⅓ music criticism series.
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33⅓ Series
Ongoing164 books (2003–2025)
The 33⅓ series is a long-running collection of music criticism and analysis books, with each volume dedicated to an in-depth examination of a single album. Launched in 2003 and still ongoing, the series has published 164 books across more than two decades, covering iconic albums from artists including The Beatles, Prince, Radiohead, The Smiths, and many others. Each book is written by a different author and can be read independently, though readers interested in following the series from its beginning should start with the first volume on Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis. The series is best experienced in publication order for those wanting to explore the collection chronologically, though individual volumes can be approached based on personal musical interests.
Start with Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis(By: Warren Zanes), the first of 164 books in the 33⅓ series.
Start this series with Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis(By: Warren Zanes)
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Akashic Noir Series
Ongoing121 books (2002–2025)
The Akashic Noir series is an ongoing collection of 121 mystery and thriller anthologies, launched in 2002 and continuing through 2025. Each book focuses on noir crime stories set in a specific city or region, with entries covering locations from San Francisco and Brooklyn to Dublin, London, and beyond. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with San Francisco Noir, though each volume functions as a standalone anthology and can be enjoyed independently.
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
Likely Complete10 books (2006–2023)
This anthology series edited by Jim Fusilli comprises eight collections of crime and mystery stories published between 2006 and 2023, spanning themes from murder and vengeance to music-inspired crime tales and New York-based narratives. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with A Merry Band of Murderers. Each volume showcases works by various authors within the mystery and thriller genres, offering diverse perspectives on crime storytelling.
Start with A Merry Band of Murderers, the first of 8 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with A Merry Band of Murderers
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Harold Middleton Series
Complete3 books (2007–2014)
Jim Fusilli's Harold Middleton series consists of three complete books published between 2007 and 2014, which should be read in publication order. The trilogy begins with The Chopin Manuscript, followed by The Copper Bracelet, and concludes with The Starling Project: An Audible Drama. These mystery and thriller novels follow their protagonist through interconnected cases that build across the series.
Start with The Chopin Manuscript and read in order.
Start this series with The Chopin Manuscript
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Narrows Gate Series
Likely Complete2 books (2011–2022)
Jim Fusilli's Narrows Gate series comprises two mystery and thriller novels published over more than a decade, beginning with Narrows Gate in 2011 and concluding with The Mayor of Polk Street in 2022. The series should be read in publication order to follow the narrative progression. Though no additional installments are currently planned, the series appears to be complete with these two entries.
Start with Narrows Gate and read in order.
Start this series with Narrows Gate
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2015–2015)
Sam Series
Complete2 books (2012–2013)
The Sam series by Jim Fusilli consists of two complete mystery and thriller novels published between 2012 and 2013. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Road to Nowhere followed by Billboard Man. This short series offers a concluded narrative arc for readers seeking a compact entry in the mystery thriller genre.
Start with Road to Nowhere and read in order.
Start this series with Road to Nowhere
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Likely Complete6 books (2010–2021)
Jim Fusilli's Short Stories/Novellas series comprises six books published between 2010 and 2021, with each entry featuring distinct narratives and characters. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Digby, Attorney at Law and continuing through Blind Justice, The Good Life, The Minnesota Twins, Zerbie vs. The Pandemic, and concluding with The Boogie-Woogie Kid. These works span mystery, thriller, and non-fiction themes across their interconnected stories.
Start with Digby, Attorney at Law, the first of 6 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Digby, Attorney at Law
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleStandalone Novels Series
Ongoing2 books (2008–2024)
Jim Fusilli has published two standalone mystery and thriller novels as of 2024, with the series remaining ongoing. Begin with Marley Z and the Bloodstained Violin from 2008, followed by The Price You Pay in 2024, reading them in the order they were released.
Start with Marley Z and the Bloodstained Violin and read in order.
Start this series with Marley Z and the Bloodstained Violin
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Terry Orr Series
Complete4 books (2001–2004)
The Terry Orr mystery series consists of four complete novels published between 2001 and 2004. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Closing Time and continuing through A Well-Known Secret, Tribeca Blues, and concluding with Hard Hard City. This mystery and thriller series follows its protagonist across interconnected cases in a tightly plotted narrative arc.
Start with Closing Time, the first of 4 books in the Terry Orr series.
Start this series with Closing Time
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Jim Fusilli written?
- Jim Fusilli has written 315 books across 10 series. Their published works span from 2001 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Jim Fusilli series?
- Here are the first books in Jim Fusilli's series: 33⅓: Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis(By: Warren Zanes); Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Anthologies: A Merry Band of Murderers; Harold Middleton: The Chopin Manuscript; Narrows Gate: Narrows Gate.
- What order should I read Jim Fusilli's books?
- We recommend reading Jim Fusilli's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Jim Fusilli still writing new books?
- Yes, Jim Fusilli has 3 ongoing series: 33⅓, Akashic Noir, Standalone Novels.