Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

Robert Goddard Reading Order

6 series · 35 books

Mystery & Thriller

Robert Goddard is a British mystery and thriller writer known for intricate plots that span decades and continents, often weaving historical secrets into contemporary investigations. His work includes multiple series featuring protagonists like retired diplomat Max Maxted and private investigator Harry Barnett, alongside numerous standalone novels that showcase his talent for constructing elaborate puzzles with surprising revelations. Publishing consistently since 1986, Goddard has established himself as a master of the psychological thriller, creating narratives where past events hold the key to present-day mysteries.

Anthologies Series

Complete

2 books (2007–2020)

Start with The Best British Mysteries IV and read in order.

Start this series with The Best British Mysteries IV

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#Title
1
Cover of The Best British Mysteries IV
The Best British Mysteries IV
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
First Edition: Celebrating 21 Years of Goldsboro Books
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Harry Barnett Series

Complete

3 books (1990–2006)

Start with Into the Blue and read in order.

Start this series with Into the Blue

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#Title
1
Cover of Into the Blue
Into the Blue
1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Out of the Sun
Out of the Sun
1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Never Go Back
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Inspector Taleb Series

Ongoing

2 books (2022–2025)

Start with This is the Night They Come for You and read in order.

Start this series with This is the Night They Come for You

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#Title
1
Cover of This is the Night They Come for You
This is the Night They Come for You
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
This is the Day They Dream Of
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

James "Max" Maxted Series

Complete

4 books (2013–2015)

Start with The Ways of the World and read in order.

Start this series with Intersection: Paris, 1919

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#Title
1
Intersection: Paris, 1919
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Ways of the World
The Ways of the World
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Corners of the Globe
The Corners of the Globe
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
The Ends of the Earth
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

22 books (1986–2019)

Start with Past Caring, the first of 22 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Past Caring

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#Title
1
Cover of Past Caring
2
Cover of In Pale Battalions
In Pale Battalions
1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Painting the Darkness
Painting the Darkness
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Take No Farewell / Debt of Dishonour
Take No Farewell / Debt of Dishonour
1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Hand in Glove
Hand in Glove
1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Closed Circle
Closed Circle
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Borrowed Time
Borrowed Time
1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of Beyond Recall
Beyond Recall
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of Caught in the Light
Caught in the Light
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Set in Stone
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of Sea Change
12
Cover of Dying to Tell
Dying to Tell
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of Days Without Number
Days Without Number
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of Play to the End
Play to the End
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of Sight Unseen
Sight Unseen
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of Name to a Face
Name to a Face
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
Cover of Found Wanting
Found Wanting
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18
Cover of Long Time Coming
Long Time Coming
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19
Cover of Blood Count
20
Cover of Fault Line
21
Cover of Panic Room
22
Cover of One False Move
One False Move
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Umiko Wada Series

Likely Complete

2 books (2021–2023)

Start with The Fine Art of Invisible Detection and read in order.

Start this series with The Fine Art of Invisible Detection

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
The Fine Art of Invisible Detection
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Robert Goddard written?
Robert Goddard has written 35 books across 6 series. Their published works span from 1986 to 2025.
What is the first book in each Robert Goddard series?
Here are the first books in Robert Goddard's series: Anthologies: The Best British Mysteries IV; Harry Barnett: Into the Blue; Inspector Taleb: This is the Night They Come for You; James "Max" Maxted: Intersection: Paris, 1919; Umiko Wada: The Fine Art of Invisible Detection.
What order should I read Robert Goddard's books?
We recommend reading Robert Goddard's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Robert Goddard still writing new books?
Yes, Robert Goddard has 1 ongoing series: Inspector Taleb.

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