Ross Thomas Reading Order

3 books (1978–1992)

The Arthur Case Wu series consists of three mystery and thriller novels by Ross Thomas, published between 1978 and 1992. The complete trilogy should be read in publication order: Chinaman's Chance, Out on the Rim, and Voodoo, Ltd. These standalone-adjacent mysteries follow a consistent protagonist through separate cases spanning the final decade of the Cold War era.

Start with Chinaman's Chance and read in order.

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

4 books (1966–1990)

The Mac McCorkle series consists of four mystery and thriller novels published between 1966 and 1990, following the adventures of the titular protagonist across several decades. Ross Thomas completed this series with Twilight at Mac's Place, the final installment released in 1990. Read these books in publication order, beginning with The Cold War Swap and continuing through Cast a Yellow Shadow, The Backup Men, and concluding with Twilight at Mac's Place.

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

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

2 books (1969–1989)

Ross Thomas wrote two nonfiction works between 1969 and 1989 that should be read in publication order. Begin with Warriors for the Poor: The Story of VISTA, Volunteers In Service to America, co-written with William H. Crook, followed by Spies, Thumbsuckers, Etc. This complete series spans two decades and explores topics within the mystery, thriller, and nonfiction genres.

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

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

5 books (1969–1976)

The Philip St. Ives series by Ross Thomas consists of five complete mystery and thriller novels published between 1969 and 1976. Follow the saga in publication order, beginning with The Brass Go-Between and continuing through Protocol for a Kidnapping, The Procane Chronicle, The Highbinders, and No Questions Asked. Each book builds on the exploits of the central character across this finished series that spans the 1970s.

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

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

13 books (1967–1994)

Ross Thomas wrote 13 standalone mystery and thriller novels between 1967 and 1994, beginning with The Seersucker Whipsaw and concluding with Ah, Treachery! Each book functions as an independent story, so readers can start with any title, though reading them in publication order allows for appreciation of Thomas's evolving style across his complete body of work.

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

#	Title
1	The Seersucker Whipsaw 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Singapore Wink 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Fools in Town Are On Our Side 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Porkchoppers 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	If You Can't Be Good 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Yellow-Dog Contract 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Eighth Dwarf 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Mordida Man 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Missionary Stew 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Briarpatch 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Fourth Durango 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	The Money Harvest 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Ah, Treachery! 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible