Robert Crais Reading Order

3 books (2011–2015)

Robert Crais edited two anthology collections published between 2011 and 2012, both of which should be read in publication order. The series includes Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and The Best American Mystery Stories 2012, and is now complete. These collections bring together mystery and thriller short stories from various authors.

Start with Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and read in order.

#	Title
1	Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Best American Mystery Stories 2012 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Crimespree Magazine #61 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

20 books (1987–2025)

Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series comprises 20 books published between 1987 and 2025, with new installments still being released. The series follows the investigations of private detective Elvis Cole and his partner Joe Pike through Los Angeles crime stories that blend mystery and thriller elements. Readers should begin with The Monkey's Raincoat and proceed in publication order to fully appreciate the character development and evolving relationship between the protagonists across the spanning decades.

Start with The Monkey's Raincoat, the first of 20 books in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series.

#	Title
1	The Monkey's Raincoat 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Stalking the Angel 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Lullaby Town 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Free Fall 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Voodoo River 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Sunset Express 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Indigo Slam 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	L. A. Requiem 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Last Detective 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Forgotten Man 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Watchman 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Chasing Darkness 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	The First Rule 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Sentry 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Taken 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Promise 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	The Wanted 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	A Dangerous Man 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Racing the Light 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Big Empty 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

34 books (2022–2025)

Mysterious Profiles is an ongoing collection of 33 mystery and thriller books published between 2022 and 2025 that brings together protagonists from various detective and crime series. The collection features iconic characters including Alex Delaware, Jack Reacher, Hieronymus Bosch, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and many others, each represented by their original authors. Readers should approach these books in publication order to experience the Mysterious Profiles series as intended, beginning with the Alex Delaware entry.

Start with Alex Delaware(By: Jonathan Kellerman), the first of 33 books in the Mysterious Profiles series.

2 books (2013–2015)

Robert Crais's two-book Scott James & Maggie series consists of Suspect and The Promise, published between 2013 and 2015. This complete mystery thriller duo should be read in publication order, beginning with Suspect. The series follows a Los Angeles police detective and his canine partner as they navigate crime and danger on the streets.

Start with Suspect and read in order.

#	Title
1	Suspect 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Promise 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2011–2011)

3 books (2000–2006)

Robert Crais's three standalone mystery and thriller novels span from 2000 to 2006 and should be read in publication order beginning with Demolition Angel. Each book features independent characters and storylines, allowing readers to enjoy them as separate works while experiencing Crais's evolving craft over this six-year period. The complete series consists of Demolition Angel, Hostage, and The Two Minute Rule.

Start with Demolition Angel and read in order.

#	Title
1	Demolition Angel 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Hostage 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Two Minute Rule 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible