Reading Order List โ€” Book Series Reading Order Guide

Reed Farrel Coleman Reading Order

16 series ยท 256 books ยท Born 1956

Reed Farrel Coleman is a prolific American crime fiction writer known for his gritty mystery and thriller novels spanning multiple interconnected series. His work ranges from the hard-boiled detective stories of his Dylan Klein and Gulliver Dowd series to his contributions to acclaimed noir anthologies and literary mystery collections. With over 250 books published across 16 series since 1991, Coleman has established himself as a major voice in contemporary crime literature, blending sharp dialogue and psychological depth with intricate plotting.

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Akashic Noir Series

Ongoing

121 books (2002โ€“2025)

The Akashic Noir series is an extensive anthology collection spanning 121 books published from 2002 to 2025, edited by Reed Farrel Coleman. Each volume features noir fiction stories set in a different city or region, from San Francisco and Brooklyn to Dublin, London, and beyond. The series remains ongoing and should be read in publication order, beginning with San Francisco Noir. These standalone story collections allow readers to explore noir crime fiction across diverse global locations and local voices.

Start with San Francisco Noir, the first of 121 books in the Akashic Noir series.

#Title
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Cover of Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
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Chicago Noir: The Classics
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New Orleans Noir: The Classics
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Trinidad Noir: The Classics
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Miami Noir: The Classics
109
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115
116
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118
119
120
121

Anthologies Series

Complete

15 books (2006โ€“2024)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Anthologies series comprises 13 complete collections spanning from 2006 to 2018, each featuring mystery and thriller stories curated or edited by Coleman. The series includes diverse themed anthologies such as Hardboiled Brooklyn, The Darker Mask, Indian Country Noir, and Crime Plus Music, along with appearances in Crimespree Magazine issues and other collaborative collections. These books should be read in publication order to follow Coleman's editorial journey through the evolving landscape of crime fiction. The series concluded in 2018 with Unloaded and Florida Happens.

Start with Hardboiled Brooklyn, the first of 13 books in the Anthologies series.

Bibliomysteries Series

Likely Complete

40 books (2012โ€“2022)

Bibliomysteries is a mystery anthology series featuring 40 standalone stories by acclaimed authors including Jeffery Deaver, Nelson DeMille, Laura Lippman, Ken Bruen, and many others. Published between 2012 and 2022, the series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with An Acceptable Sacrifice. Each entry presents an original mystery tale, with contributors ranging from established crime fiction legends to contemporary thriller writers.

Start with An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver), the first of 40 books in the Bibliomysteries series.

Start this series with An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)

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#Title
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Cover of An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)
An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver)
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Death Leaves a Bookmark(By: William Link)
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Cover of Pronghorns of the Third Reich(By: C.J. Box)
Pronghorns of the Third Reich(By: C.J. Box)
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The Book Case(By: Nelson DeMille)
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Cover of The Book Thing(By: Laura Lippman)
The Book Thing(By: Laura Lippman)
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Cover of The Book of Virtue(By: Ken Bruen)
The Book of Virtue(By: Ken Bruen)
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Rides a Stranger(By: David Bell)
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9
The Final Testament(By: Peter Blauner)
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The Long Sonata of the Dead(By: Andrew Taylor)
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Book Club(By: Loren D. Estleman)
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It's in the Book(By: Max Allan Collins,Mickey Spillane)
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Remaindered(By: Peter Lovesey)
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The Compendium of Srem(By: F. Paul Wilson)
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The Gospel of Sheba(By: Lyndsay Faye)
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The Nature of My Inheritance(By: Bradford Morrow)
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Cover of The Scroll(By: Anne Perry)
The Scroll(By: Anne Perry)
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The Sequel(By: R.L. Stine)
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What's in a Name?(By: Thomas H. Cook)
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Condor in the Stacks(By: James Grady)
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Every Seven Years(By: Denise Mina)
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From the Queen(By: Carolyn Hart)
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Mystery, Inc.(By: Joyce Carol Oates)
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The Book of the Lion(By: Thomas Perry)
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The Little Men(By: Megan Abbott)
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Citadel(By: Stephen Hunter)
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Dead Dames Don't Sing(By: John Harvey)
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Reconciliation Day(By: Christopher Fowler)
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The Haze(By: James W. Hall)
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Cover of The Travelling Companion(By: Ian Rankin)
The Travelling Companion(By: Ian Rankin)
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Hoodoo Harry(By: Joe R. Lansdale)
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Seven Years(By: Peter Robinson)
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The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository(By: John Connolly)
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The Hemingway Valise(By: Robert Olen Butler)
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The Last Honest Horse Thief(By: Michael Koryta)
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The Pretty Little Box(By: Charles Todd)
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The Girl Who Did Say No(By: David Handler)
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The Dark Door(By: Lisa Unger)
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The Honeymoon Trap(By: Peter Swanson)
40
The Traitor(By: Martin Edwards)

Dylan Klein Series

Complete

3 books (1991โ€“1997)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Dylan Klein series comprises three mystery and thriller novels published across the 1990s. Begin with Life Goes Sleeping and continue through Little Easter and They Don't Play Stickball in Milwaukee in publication order to experience the complete trilogy. The series is now finished with all books released between 1991 and 1997.

Start with Life Goes Sleeping and read in order.

#Title
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Cover of They Don't Play Stickball in Milwaukee
They Don't Play Stickball in Milwaukee

Gulliver Dowd Series

Complete

4 books (2013โ€“2016)

The Gulliver Dowd series comprises four mystery and thriller novels by Reed Farrel Coleman, published between 2013 and 2016. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dirty Work and continuing through Valentino Pier, The Boardwalk, and Love and Fear. This finished series offers a complete story arc when read sequentially from the first installment onward.

Start with Dirty Work, the first of 4 books in the Gulliver Dowd series.

Gus Murphy Series

Complete

2 books (2016โ€“2017)

This complete mystery thriller series consists of two books published in 2016 and 2017 and should be read in publication order. The series follows protagonist Gus Murphy through Where It Hurts and What You Break, offering readers a contained two-book arc in the crime fiction genre.

Start with Where It Hurts and read in order.

Jack Kenny Series

Complete

1 book (2012โ€“2012)

Jesse Stone Series

Ongoing

24 books (1997โ€“2027)

The Jesse Stone mystery series spans 23 books beginning with Night Passage in 1997 and continuing through 2026. Originally created by Robert B. Parker, the series has been carried forward by Michael Brandman and Reed Farrel Coleman following Parker's death. The books should be read in publication order to follow the detective's evolving story across Paradise, Massachusetts. The series remains ongoing with new installments still being released.

Start with Night Passage(By: Robert B. Parker), the first of 23 books in the Jesse Stone series.

Start this series with Night Passage(By: Robert B. Parker)

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#Title
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Cover of Night Passage(By: Robert B. Parker)
Night Passage(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Trouble in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
Trouble in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Death in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
Death in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Stone Cold(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Sea Change(By: Robert B. Parker)
Sea Change(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of High Profile(By: Robert B. Parker)
High Profile(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Stranger in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
Stranger in Paradise(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Night and Day(By: Robert B. Parker)
Night and Day(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Split Image(By: Robert B. Parker)
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Cover of Killing The Blues(By: Michael Brandman)
Killing The Blues(By: Michael Brandman)
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Fool Me Twice(By: Michael Brandman)
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Cover of Damned If You Do(By: Michael Brandman)
Damned If You Do(By: Michael Brandman)
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Cover of Fool's Paradise(By: Mike Lupica)
Fool's Paradise(By: Mike Lupica)
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Cover of Stone's Throw(By: Mike Lupica)
Stone's Throw(By: Mike Lupica)
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Cover of Fallout(By: Mike Lupica)
Fallout(By: Mike Lupica)
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Buried Secrets(By: Christopher Farnsworth)
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Big Shot(By: Christopher Farnsworth)
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Lockdown(By: Christopher Farnsworth)

Joe Serpe Series

Complete

3 books (2006โ€“2008)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Joe Serpe trilogy comprises three complete mystery-thriller novels published between 2006 and 2008. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Hose Monkey, followed by Gun Bunnies, and concluding with The Fourth Victim. This closed trilogy offers readers a contained story arc within the mystery and thriller genre.

Start with Hose Monkey and read in order.

Moe Prager Series

Complete

9 books (2002โ€“2014)

The Moe Prager series is a nine-book mystery sequence by Reed Farrel Coleman, following the investigations of its protagonist through cases spanning from 2002 to 2014. All titles should be read in publication order, beginning with Walking the Perfect Square and concluding with The Hollow Girl. The complete series is now finished, making it ideal for readers seeking a fully resolved narrative arc.

Start with Walking the Perfect Square, the first of 9 books in the Moe Prager series.

Start this series with Walking the Perfect Square

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Music and Murder Mystery Series

Ongoing

4 books (2022โ€“2025)

The Music and Murder Mystery series by Reed Farrel Coleman consists of four mystery and thriller anthologies published between 2022 and 2025, with the series still ongoing. Each collection features different contributing authors alongside the primary writers, creating varied perspectives on interconnected cases. Read the books in publication order beginning with Hotel California, followed by Thriller, Back in Black, and Bat Out of Hell to experience the full arc of the series.

Start with Hotel California(With: Heather Graham,John Gilstrap,Andrew Child,Amanda Flower,Don Bruns,Rick Bleiweiss,Jennifer Dornbush), the first of 4 books in the Music and Murder Mystery series.

Start this series with Hotel California(With: Heather Graham,John Gilstrap,Andrew Child,Amanda Flower,Don Bruns,Rick Bleiweiss,Jennifer Dornbush)

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#Title
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Hotel California(With: Heather Graham,John Gilstrap,Andrew Child,Amanda Flower,Don Bruns,Rick Bleiweiss,Jennifer Dornbush)
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Thriller(By: Heather Graham,Jeffery Deaver,William Kent Krueger,Don Bruns,Dahlia Rose,David R. Slayton)
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Back in Black(With: Heather Graham,Ward Larsen,Tori Eldridge,Andrew Child,Don Bruns)
4
Bat Out of Hell(By: Charles Todd,Heather Graham,John Gilstrap,Andrew Child,Don Bruns,Rick Bleiweiss,Dave Bruns,C.J. Kudlacz)

Nick Ryan Series

Ongoing

2 books (2023โ€“2024)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Nick Ryan series comprises two mystery thrillers published from 2023 to 2024, with the first book being Sleepless City followed by Blind to Midnight. The series is ongoing and should be read in publication order. These standalone-adjacent entries follow a continuing narrative that benefits from sequential reading.

Start with Sleepless City and read in order.

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

18 books (2013โ€“2019)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Short Stories/Novellas series comprises 18 standalone mystery and thriller tales published between 2013 and 2019. The complete collection should be read in publication order, beginning with The Terminal and concluding with the final entry in 2019. Each entry is a self-contained story that can be enjoyed independently, making this series ideal for readers seeking varied narratives within the mystery and thriller genres.

Start with The Terminal, the first of 18 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

Short Story Collections Series

Ongoing

2 books (2019โ€“2026)

Reed Farrel Coleman's Short Story Collections series comprises two mystery and thriller short story volumes released between 2019 and 2026, with more installments planned. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Short Stack, followed by The Final Score, a collaborative work with Don Winslow. This ongoing collection series offers readers compact, varied narratives within the mystery and thriller genre.

Start with Short Stack and read in order.

#Title
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The Final Score(With: Don Winslow)

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

2 books (2009โ€“2011)

Reed Farrel Coleman's two-book mystery and thriller collection consists of Tower, a 2009 collaboration with Ken Bruen, followed by Gun Church in 2011. Though published as standalone novels rather than a connected series, these works should be read in publication order. The series is complete.

Start with Tower(With: Ken Bruen) and read in order.

Start this series with Tower(With: Ken Bruen)

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World Of Kurt Vonnegut Series

Complete

6 books (2013โ€“2014)

The World of Kurt Vonnegut is a six-book anthology series published between 2013 and 2014, featuring contributions from multiple authors including Kevin G. Summers, Seth Harwood, Peter Cawdron, and Hugh Howey. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Bell Curse. Each installment explores different perspectives within the shared universe inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's work and themes.

Start with The Bell Curse(By: Kevin G. Summers), the first of 6 books in the World Of Kurt Vonnegut series.

Start this series with The Bell Curse(By: Kevin G. Summers)

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#Title
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The Bell Curse(By: Kevin G. Summers)
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The World of Kurt Vonnegut
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Cover of As Much Protein as an Egg(By: Seth Harwood)
As Much Protein as an Egg(By: Seth Harwood)
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Children's Crusade(By: Peter Cawdron)
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Newt and Zinka's Wild, Wild Week OR How the K.G.B. Got Ice-Nine(By: Seth Harwood)
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Cover of Peace in Amber(By: Hugh Howey)
Peace in Amber(By: Hugh Howey)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Reed Farrel Coleman written?
Reed Farrel Coleman has written 256 books across 16 series. Their published works span from 1991 to 2027.
What is the first book in each Reed Farrel Coleman series?
Here are the first books in Reed Farrel Coleman's series: Akashic Noir: San Francisco Noir; Anthologies: Hardboiled Brooklyn; Bibliomysteries: An Acceptable Sacrifice(By: Jeffery Deaver); Dylan Klein: Life Goes Sleeping; Gulliver Dowd: Dirty Work.
What order should I read Reed Farrel Coleman's books?
We recommend reading Reed Farrel Coleman's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Reed Farrel Coleman still writing new books?
Yes, Reed Farrel Coleman has 5 ongoing series: Akashic Noir, Jesse Stone, Music and Murder Mystery, Nick Ryan, Short Story Collections.

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