Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Lawrence Sanders

Lawrence Sanders Reading Order

7 series · 43 books · Born 1920-03-15

Mystery & Thriller

Lawrence Sanders was a prolific mystery and thriller author whose career spanned from 1970 to 2004, producing over 40 novels across multiple series. His work ranged from hard-boiled detective fiction to intricate crime novels, establishing him as a versatile craftsman within the suspense genre. Sanders created several memorable recurring characters, including the roguish private investigator Archy McNally and the methodical detective Edward X. Delaney, while also exploring darker themes through series like the Commandment novels and various short story collections.

Archy McNally Series

Complete

13 books (1991–2004)

Start with McNally's Secret, the first of 13 books in the Archy McNally series.

Start this series with McNally's Secret

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#Title
1
Cover of McNally's Secret
McNally's Secret
1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of McNally's Luck
McNally's Luck
1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of McNally's Risk(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Risk(With: Vincent Lardo)
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of McNally's Caper
McNally's Caper
1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
McNally's Trial
1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of McNally's Puzzle
McNally's Puzzle
1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of McNally's Gamble(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Gamble(With: Vincent Lardo)
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of McNally's Dilemma(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Dilemma(With: Vincent Lardo)
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of McNally's Folly(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Folly(With: Vincent Lardo)
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of McNally's Chance(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Chance(With: Vincent Lardo)
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of McNally's Alibi(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Alibi(With: Vincent Lardo)
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of McNally's Dare(With: Vincent Lardo)
McNally's Dare(With: Vincent Lardo)
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
McNally's Bluff(With: Vincent Lardo)
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Commandment Series

Complete

4 books (1978–1991)

Start with The Sixth Commandment, the first of 4 books in the Commandment series.

Start this series with The Sixth Commandment

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#Title
1
Cover of The Sixth Commandment
The Sixth Commandment
1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Tenth Commandment
The Tenth Commandment
1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Eighth Commandment
The Eighth Commandment
1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Seventh Commandment
The Seventh Commandment
1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Edward X. Delaney Series

Complete

5 books (1970–1985)

Start with The Anderson Tapes, the first of 5 books in the Edward X. Delaney series.

Start this series with The Anderson Tapes

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#Title
1
Cover of The Anderson Tapes
The Anderson Tapes
1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The First Deadly Sin
The First Deadly Sin
1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Second Deadly Sin
The Second Deadly Sin
1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
The Third Deadly Sin
1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Fourth Deadly Sin
The Fourth Deadly Sin
1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Peter Tangent Series

Complete

2 books (1976–1978)

Start with The Tangent Objective and read in order.

Start this series with The Tangent Objective

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Tangent Objective
The Tangent Objective
1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Tangent Factor
The Tangent Factor
1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (1988–1988)

#Title
1
Cover of Tales of the Wolf
Tales of the Wolf
1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

16 books (1971–1998)

Start with The Pleasures of Helen, the first of 16 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with The Pleasures of Helen

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#Title
1
Cover of The Pleasures of Helen
The Pleasures of Helen
1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
3
Cover of The Tomorrow File
The Tomorrow File
1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Marlow Chronicles
The Marlow Chronicles
1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Caper(As: Lesley Andress)
Caper(As: Lesley Andress)
1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Dark Summer(As: Mark Upton)
Dark Summer(As: Mark Upton)
1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of The Case of Lucy Bending / The Case of Lucy B.
The Case of Lucy Bending / The Case of Lucy B.
1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of The Seduction of Peter S.
The Seduction of Peter S.
1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Passion of Molly T.
The Passion of Molly T.
1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Loves of Harry Dancer / The Loves of Harry D.
The Loves of Harry Dancer / The Loves of Harry D.
1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of The Dream Lover
The Dream Lover
1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Capital Crimes
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Stolen Blessings
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of Sullivan's Sting
Sullivan's Sting
1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of Private Pleasures
Private Pleasures
1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of Guilty Pleasures
Guilty Pleasures
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Timothy Cone Series

Complete

2 books (1987–1988)

Start with The Timothy Files and read in order.

Start this series with The Timothy Files

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Timothy Files
The Timothy Files
1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Timothy's Game
Timothy's Game
1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Lawrence Sanders written?
Lawrence Sanders has written 43 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1970 to 2004.
What is the first book in each Lawrence Sanders series?
Here are the first books in Lawrence Sanders's series: Archy McNally: McNally's Secret; Commandment: The Sixth Commandment; Edward X. Delaney: The Anderson Tapes; Peter Tangent: The Tangent Objective; Timothy Cone: The Timothy Files.
What order should I read Lawrence Sanders's books?
We recommend reading Lawrence Sanders's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Are Lawrence Sanders's series complete?
Lawrence Sanders has 7 completed series.

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