Qiu Xiaolong Reading Order
6 series · 26 books · Born 1953
Qiu Xiaolong is a Chinese American crime writer known for blending mystery with cultural insights, primarily through his acclaimed Inspector Chen series. With a prolific output of 26 books spanning six series, including Judge Dee Investigations and various poetry collections, he has captivated readers since 2000. His notable works reflect his rich background and literary prowess, exploring themes of justice and the human experience.
Anthologies Series
Complete3 books (2003–2015)
Start with Treasury of Chinese Love Poems and read in order.
Inspector Chen Series
Ongoing14 books (2000–2026)
Start with Death of a Red Heroine, the first of 14 books in the Inspector Chen series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Death of a Red Heroine 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  A Loyal Character Dancer 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | When Red is Black 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  A Case of Two Cities 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | Red Mandarin Dress 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  The Mao Case 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Don't Cry, Tai Lake 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Enigma of China 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  Shanghai Redemption 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Hold Your Breath, China 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Becoming Inspector Chen 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 | Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 | Love and Murder in the Time of Covid 2023Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 | The Secret Sharers(With: Xiaolong Qiu) 2026Buy 🇺🇸 |
Inspector Chen Collections Series
Complete2 books (2016–2018)
Start with Poems of Inspector Chen and read in order.
Judge Dee Investigation Series
Ongoing2 books (2022–2024)
Start with The Shadow of the Empire and read in order.
Poetry Collections Series
Complete2 books (2003–2006)
Start with Classic Chinese Love Poems and read in order.
Short Story Collections Series
Complete3 books (2003–2012)
Start with Lines Around China and read in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Qiu Xiaolong written?
- Qiu Xiaolong has written 26 books across 6 series. Their published works span from 2000 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Qiu Xiaolong series?
- Here are the first books in Qiu Xiaolong's series: Anthologies: Treasury of Chinese Love Poems; Inspector Chen: Death of a Red Heroine; Inspector Chen Collections: Poems of Inspector Chen; Judge Dee Investigation: The Shadow of the Empire; Poetry Collections: Classic Chinese Love Poems.
- What order should I read Qiu Xiaolong's books?
- We recommend reading Qiu Xiaolong's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Qiu Xiaolong still writing new books?
- Yes, Qiu Xiaolong has 2 ongoing series: Inspector Chen, Judge Dee Investigation.