Jonathan Kellerman Reading Order

42 books (1985–2027)

The Alex Delaware series is an ongoing mystery and thriller saga spanning 41 books from 1985 to 2026. Following publication order is essential for experiencing this detective series as intended, beginning with When the Bough Breaks and continuing through the most recent installment. Jonathan Kellerman's lengthy franchise features interconnected cases and character development that builds across the novels, making each entry a natural progression from the last.

Start with When the Bough Breaks, the first of 41 books in the Alex Delaware series.

#	Title
1	When the Bough Breaks 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Blood Test 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Over the Edge 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Silent Partner 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Time Bomb 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Private Eyes 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Devil's Waltz 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Bad Love 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Self-Defense 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Web 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Clinic 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Survival of the Fittest 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Monster 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Dr. Death 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Flesh and Blood 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Murder Book 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	A Cold Heart 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Therapy 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Rage 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Gone 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Obsession 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Bones 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Compulsion 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Deception 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Evidence 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Mystery 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Victims 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Guilt 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Killer 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	Motive 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	Breakdown 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Heartbreak Hotel 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	Night Moves 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	The Wedding Guest 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	The Museum of Desire 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36	Serpentine 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37	City of the Dead 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
38	Unnatural History 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
39	The Ghost Orchid 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
40	Open Season 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
41	Jigsaw 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
42	Malice 2027Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1996–2017)

Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware Graphic Novels series consists of three complete mystery thrillers adapted into visual format between 1996 and 2017. These graphic novels should be read in publication order beginning with The Web, followed by Silent Partner and Monster. The series presents Kellerman's psychological mystery narratives through illustrated storytelling, offering readers an alternative format to experience the acclaimed detective character.

Start with The Web and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Web 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Silent Partner 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Monster(By: Ande Parks) 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1996–1999)

Jonathan Kellerman edited five mystery anthologies between 1996 and 1999, all of which are now complete. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Great Writers and Kids Write Mystery Stories and continuing through Murder For Love, Law and Order, The Best American Mystery Stories 1997, and concluding with Diagnosis Dead. Each book brings together various mystery and thriller stories from different writers, offering diverse perspectives within the genre.

Start with Great Writers and Kids Write Mystery Stories, the first of 5 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	Great Writers and Kids Write Mystery Stories 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Murder For Love 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Law and Order 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Best American Mystery Stories 1997 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Diagnosis Dead 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (1995–1995)

6 books (2017–2025)

Jonathan Kellerman's Clay Edison series comprises six mystery and thriller novels following a young detective, beginning with Crime Scene in 2017 and continuing through Coyote Hills in 2025. The series remains ongoing and should be read in publication order to properly follow the character's development and the evolving cases. Each installment builds on the foundation established in earlier books, making sequential reading essential for maximum enjoyment.

Start with Crime Scene, the first of 6 books in the Clay Edison series.

#	Title
1	Crime Scene 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	A Measure of Darkness 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Half Moon Bay 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Burning 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Lost Coast 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Coyote Hills 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2013–2015)

Jonathan Kellerman's Detective Jacob Lev series consists of two mysteries published between 2013 and 2015. The complete duology should be read in publication order, beginning with The Golem of Hollywood, followed by The Golem of Paris. These standalone yet connected mysteries blend contemporary crime investigation with historical elements across different settings.

Start with The Golem of Hollywood and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Golem of Hollywood 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Golem of Paris 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

34 books (2022–2025)

Mysterious Profiles is an ongoing collection of 33 books published between 2022 and 2025 that should be read in publication order. The series features detective and thriller protagonists from various mystery franchises, including Alex Delaware, Jack Reacher, Hieronymus Bosch, Charlie Parker, and many others, each explored across multiple entries. With contributions from established mystery and thriller authors, this compilation spans traditional detective fiction to contemporary crime narratives and is designed for readers interested in exploring iconic characters from the genre.

Start with Alex Delaware, the first of 33 books in the Mysterious Profiles series.

4 books (1981–2008)

Jonathan Kellerman's Non-Fiction series comprises four books published between 1981 and 2008, now complete. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Helping the Fearful Child and concluding with With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. This collection spans topics ranging from psychology and criminal behavior to music history and journalism.

Start with Helping the Fearful Child, the first of 4 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Helping the Fearful Child 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Savage Spawn 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Best American Crime Reporting 2008 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1998–2004)

The Petra Connor series by Jonathan Kellerman consists of two mystery novels published between 1998 and 2004. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Billy Straight followed by Twisted. This finished series combines elements of mystery and thriller storytelling.

Start with Billy Straight and read in order.

#	Title
1	Billy Straight 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Twisted 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2015–2015)

1 book (1994–1994)

#	Title
1	Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky? 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1988–2016)

Jonathan Kellerman's Standalone Novels series comprises six independent mystery and thriller books published between 1988 and 2016, with the series now complete. Though each novel stands alone with its own plot and characters, they should be read in publication order beginning with The Butcher's Theater. The collection spans The Butcher's Theater, Double Homicide, The Conspiracy Club, Capital Crimes, True Detectives, and The Murderer's Daughter.

Start with The Butcher's Theater, the first of 6 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	The Butcher's Theater 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Double Homicide 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Conspiracy Club 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Capital Crimes 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	True Detectives 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Murderer's Daughter 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible