Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

Ross Thomas Reading Order

5 series · 27 books · Born 1926-02-19

Mystery & ThrillerNon-Fiction

Ross Thomas was an American crime writer renowned for crafting intelligent thrillers that dissected the shadowy world of political intrigue and professional manipulation. Publishing across four decades from 1966 to 1994, he created multiple recurring characters including con artist Philip St. Ives (written under the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck) and operatives Arthur Case Wu and Mac McCorkle, demonstrating his range across interconnected crime narratives. His debut novel The Cold War Swap won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1967, while Briarpatch claimed the Edgar for Best Novel in 1985, cementing his status as a master of the genre.

Arthur Case Wu Series

Complete

3 books (1978–1992)

Start with Chinaman's Chance and read in order.

Start this series with Chinaman's Chance

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Chinaman's Chance
Chinaman's Chance
1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Out on the Rim
Out on the Rim
1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Voodoo, Ltd.
Voodoo, Ltd.
1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Mac McCorkle Series

Complete

4 books (1966–1990)

Start with The Cold War Swap, the first of 4 books in the Mac McCorkle series.

Start this series with The Cold War Swap

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#Title
1
Cover of The Cold War Swap
The Cold War Swap
1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Cast a Yellow Shadow
Cast a Yellow Shadow
1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Backup Men
The Backup Men
1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Twilight at Mac's Place
Twilight at Mac's Place
1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

2 books (1969–1989)

Start with Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America(With: William H. Crook) and read in order.

Start this series with Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America(With: William H. Crook)

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America(With: William H. Crook)
1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Spies, Thumbsuckers, Etc.
Spies, Thumbsuckers, Etc.
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Philip St. Ives Series

Complete

5 books (1969–1976)

Start with The Brass Go-Between, the first of 5 books in the Philip St. Ives series.

Start this series with The Brass Go-Between

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#Title
1
Cover of The Brass Go-Between
The Brass Go-Between
1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Protocol for a Kidnapping
Protocol for a Kidnapping
1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Procane Chronicle / The Thief Who Painted Sunlight
The Procane Chronicle / The Thief Who Painted Sunlight
1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Highbinders
The Highbinders
1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of No Questions Asked
No Questions Asked
1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

13 books (1967–1994)

Start with The Seersucker Whipsaw, the first of 13 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with The Seersucker Whipsaw

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#Title
1
Cover of The Seersucker Whipsaw
The Seersucker Whipsaw
1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Singapore Wink
The Singapore Wink
1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Fools in Town Are On Our Side
The Fools in Town Are On Our Side
1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Porkchoppers
The Porkchoppers
1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of If You Can't Be Good
If You Can't Be Good
1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Yellow-Dog Contract
Yellow-Dog Contract
1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of The Eighth Dwarf
The Eighth Dwarf
1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
The Mordida Man
1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of Missionary Stew
Missionary Stew
1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of Briarpatch
11
Cover of The Fourth Durango
The Fourth Durango
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
The Money Harvest
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of Ah, Treachery!
Ah, Treachery!
1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Ross Thomas written?
Ross Thomas has written 27 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1966 to 1994.
What is the first book in each Ross Thomas series?
Here are the first books in Ross Thomas's series: Arthur Case Wu: Chinaman's Chance; Mac McCorkle: The Cold War Swap; Non-Fiction: Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America(With: William H. Crook); Philip St. Ives: The Brass Go-Between.
What order should I read Ross Thomas's books?
We recommend reading Ross Thomas's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Are Ross Thomas's series complete?
Ross Thomas has 5 completed series.

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