Joseph Wambaugh Reading Order

3 books (1995–2016)

Joseph Wambaugh's anthology series consists of three complete collections published between 1995 and 2016, beginning with The Crown Crime Companion and followed by Last Seen off Stingray Point: And 8 Other Dances With Death On The Western Edge and Silent Night, Deadly Night. These mystery and thriller anthologies blend factual crime narratives with Wambaugh's distinctive storytelling approach. Read in publication order to experience the series as intended.

Start with The Crown Crime Companion and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Crown Crime Companion 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Last Seen off Stingray Point: And 8 Other Dances With Death On The Western Edge 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Silent Night, Deadly Night 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2006–2012)

The Hollywood Station series comprises five complete mystery novels published between 2006 and 2012, all written by Joseph Wambaugh. These books follow the exploits of the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division and should be read in publication order, beginning with Hollywood Station and concluding with Harbor Nocturne. The series explores the daily operations and complex cases handled by the officers assigned to one of the LAPD's most challenging precincts.

Start with Hollywood Station, the first of 5 books in the Hollywood Station series.

#	Title
1	Hollywood Station 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Hollywood Crows 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Hollywood Moon 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Hollywood Hills 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Harbor Nocturne 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1973–2002)

Joseph Wambaugh's non-fiction series consists of five books published between 1973 and 2002, following publication order from The Onion Field through The Fire Lover. The complete series draws from Wambaugh's background in law enforcement to examine real criminal cases with the narrative depth of thriller writing. These standalone accounts should be read in the order they were published to follow the evolution of Wambaugh's approach to true crime storytelling.

Start with The Onion Field, the first of 5 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	The Onion Field 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Lines and Shadows 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Echoes in the Darkness 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Blooding, The 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Fire Lover 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

11 books (1970–1996)

Joseph Wambaugh's collection of eleven standalone crime novels spans from 1970 to 1996, each offering an independent story set in the world of law enforcement and urban crime. While each book stands alone and can be read in any order, reading them in publication order—beginning with The New Centurions—provides the best experience and allows you to follow Wambaugh's evolving perspective on police work and Los Angeles life. The series is complete and comprises The New Centurions, The Blue Knight, The Choirboys, The Black Marble, The Glitter Dome, The Delta Star, The Secrets of Harry Bright, The Golden Orange, Fugitive Nights, Finnegan's Week, and Floaters.

Start with The New Centurions, the first of 11 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	The New Centurions 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Blue Knight 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Choirboys 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Black Marble 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Glitter Dome 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Delta Star 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Secrets of Harry Bright 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Golden Orange 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Fugitive Nights 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Finnegan's Week 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Floaters 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible