Stuart Woods Reading Order

91 books (1981–2023)

Stuart Woods' Barrington Universe spans 91 books published from 1981 to 2023, following publication order from the debut Chiefs through 2023's final entry. This mystery and thriller series is best read in publication sequence, as characters and storylines build across the interconnected novels. The series appears to be complete as of 2023, offering readers a comprehensive collection of crime fiction spanning multiple decades and recurring protagonists.

Start with Chiefs, the first of 91 books in the Barrington Universe series.

#	Title
1	Chiefs 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Run Before the Wind 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Deep Lie 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	White Cargo 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Grass Roots 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	New York Dead 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Santa Fe Rules 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Choke 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Run 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Dirt 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Dead in the Water 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Orchid Beach 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Swimming to Catalina 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Worst Fears Realized 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	L.A. Dead 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Cold Paradise 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Orchid Blues 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Blood Orchid 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	The Short Forever 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Capital Crimes 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Dirty Work 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Reckless Abandon 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	The Prince of Beverly Hills 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Two Dollar Bill 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Iron Orchid 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Dark Harbor 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Short Straw 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Fresh Disasters 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Shoot Him If He Runs 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	Beverly Hills Dead 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	Hot Mahogany 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Mounting Fears 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	Santa Fe Dead 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	Hothouse Orchid 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	Kisser 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36	Loitering with Intent 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37	Lucid Intervals 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
38	Santa Fe Edge 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
39	Strategic Moves 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
40	Bel-Air Dead 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
41	D.C. Dead 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
42	Son of Stone 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
43	Collateral Damage 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
44	Severe Clear 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
45	Unnatural Acts 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
46	Doing Hard Time 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
47	Unintended Consequences 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
48	Carnal Curiosity 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
49	Cut and Thrust 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
50	Paris Match 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
51	Standup Guy 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
52	Foreign Affairs 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
53	Hot Pursuit 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
54	Insatiable Appetites 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
55	Naked Greed 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
56	Dishonorable Intentions 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
57	Family Jewels 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
58	Scandalous Behavior 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
59	Sex, Lies & Serious Money 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
60	Smooth Operator(With: Parnell Hall) 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
61	Barely Legal(With: Parnell Hall) 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
62	Below the Belt 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
63	Fast and Loose 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
64	Indecent Exposure 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
65	Quick & Dirty 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
66	A Delicate Touch 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
67	Desperate Measures 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
68	Shoot First 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
69	The Money Shot(With: Parnell Hall) 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
70	Turbulence 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
71	Unbound 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
72	Contraband 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
73	Skin Game(With: Parnell Hall) 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
74	Stealth 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
75	Wild Card 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
76	Bombshell(With: Parnell Hall) 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
77	Choppy Water 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
78	Hit List 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
79	Hush-Hush 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
80	Shakeup 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
81	Treason 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
82	Class Act 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
83	Criminal Mischief 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
84	Double Jeopardy 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
85	Foul Play 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
86	Jackpot(With: Bryon Quertermous) 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
87	A Safe House 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
88	Black Dog 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
89	Distant Thunder 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
90	Near Miss(With: Brett Battles) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
91	Obsession(With: Brett Battles) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1992–2010)

The Ed Eagle series spans four mystery thrillers published between 1992 and 2010, following publication order beginning with Santa Fe Rules. Stuart Woods completed this series with Santa Fe Edge, offering readers a full arc across the four standalone yet connected mysteries. Each book can be enjoyed independently, though reading in publication sequence provides the most rewarding experience of the protagonist's cases and character development.

Start with Santa Fe Rules, the first of 4 books in the Ed Eagle series.

#	Title
1	Santa Fe Rules 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Short Straw 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Santa Fe Dead 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Santa Fe Edge 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2017–2017)

#	Title
1	Barely Legal(With: Parnell Hall) 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1998–2009)

Stuart Woods's Holly Barker series consists of six mystery thrillers published between 1998 and 2009, following the detective from her debut in Orchid Beach through Orchid Blues, Blood Orchid, Reckless Abandon, Iron Orchid, and concluding with Hothouse Orchid. The series is complete and should be read in publication order to follow the character's development and ongoing storylines. Begin with the first book, Orchid Beach, to experience the full arc of this Florida-based mystery series.

Start with Orchid Beach, the first of 6 books in the Holly Barker series.

#	Title
1	Orchid Beach 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Orchid Blues 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Blood Orchid 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Reckless Abandon 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Iron Orchid 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Hothouse Orchid 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1977–2022)

Stuart Woods' non-fiction series spans four decades with three books published between 1977 and 2022. These works should be read in publication order, beginning with Blue Water, Green Skipper. The series appears to be complete, offering readers Woods' explorations across mystery, thriller, and non-fiction genres.

Start with Blue Water, Green Skipper and read in order.

#	Title
1	Blue Water, Green Skipper 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	A romantic's guide to the country inns of Britain and Ireland 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	An Extravagant Life 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2004–2008)

The Rick Barron series by Stuart Woods consists of two mystery thrillers published between 2004 and 2008. Both books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Prince of Beverly Hills followed by Beverly Hills Dead. The series is complete with no additional volumes planned.

Start with The Prince of Beverly Hills and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Prince of Beverly Hills 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Beverly Hills Dead 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1986–1995)

Stuart Woods wrote eight standalone mystery and thriller novels between 1986 and 1995, each featuring independent plots and characters. The complete series includes Under the Lake, White Cargo, Palindrome, L.A. Times, Dead Eyes, Heat, Choke, and Imperfect Strangers and should be read in publication order. These novels are unconnected to one another, allowing readers to enjoy them in any sequence, though following the publication timeline provides a chronological view of Woods' development during this period.

Start with Under the Lake, the first of 8 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Under the Lake 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	White Cargo 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Palindrome 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	L.A. Times 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Dead Eyes 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Heat 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Choke 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Imperfect Strangers 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

70 books (1991–2027)

The Stone Barrington series is an ongoing mystery and thriller franchise comprising 68 books published from 1991 to 2026. Readers should start with New York Dead and follow the books in publication order to experience Stone Barrington's cases as they unfold across multiple decades. This long-running series, which continues to expand, offers a consistent protagonist navigating through crime and intrigue across various settings from New York to exotic locales.

Start with New York Dead, the first of 68 books in the Stone Barrington series.

#	Title
1	New York Dead 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Dirt 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Dead in the Water 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Swimming to Catalina 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Worst Fears Realized 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	L.A. Dead 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Cold Paradise 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Short Forever 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Dirty Work 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Reckless Abandon 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Two Dollar Bill 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Dark Harbor 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Fresh Disasters 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Shoot Him If He Runs 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Hot Mahogany 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Kisser 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Loitering with Intent 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Lucid Intervals 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Strategic Moves 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Bel-Air Dead 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	D.C. Dead 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Son of Stone 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Collateral Damage 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Severe Clear 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Unnatural Acts 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Doing Hard Time 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Unintended Consequences 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Carnal Curiosity 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Cut and Thrust 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	Paris Match 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31	Standup Guy 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32	Foreign Affairs 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33	Hot Pursuit 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34	Insatiable Appetites 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35	Naked Greed 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36	Dishonorable Intentions 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37	Family Jewels 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
38	Scandalous Behavior 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
39	Sex, Lies & Serious Money 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
40	Below the Belt 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
41	Fast and Loose 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
42	Indecent Exposure 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
43	Quick & Dirty 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
44	A Delicate Touch 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
45	Desperate Measures 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
46	Shoot First 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
47	Turbulence 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
48	Unbound 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
49	Contraband 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
50	Stealth 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
51	Wild Card 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
52	Choppy Water 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
53	Hit List 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
54	Hush-Hush 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
55	Shakeup 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
56	Treason 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
57	Class Act 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
58	Criminal Mischief 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
59	Double Jeopardy 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
60	Foul Play 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
61	A Safe House 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
62	Black Dog 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
63	Distant Thunder 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
64	Near Miss(With: Brett Battles) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
65	Smolder(With: Brett Battles) 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
66	Finders Keepers(With: Brett Battles) 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
67	Deep Water(With: Brett Battles) 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
68	Hostile Intent(With: Brett Battles) 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
69	Fool Proof(By: Brett Battles) 2027Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
70	Stuart Woods' Knifepoint(By: Brett Battles) 2027Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (2016–2025)

The Teddy Fay series is an ongoing mystery and thriller collection spanning eight books published between 2016 and 2025, written by Stuart Woods in collaboration with various co-authors including Parnell Hall, Byron Quertermous, and Brett Battles. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Smooth Operator and continuing through the most recent installment, Blown Away. Each book builds on the previous narrative, making sequential reading essential for following the story's development.

Start with Smooth Operator(With: Parnell Hall), the first of 8 books in the Teddy Fay series.

#	Title
1	Smooth Operator(With: Parnell Hall) 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Money Shot(With: Parnell Hall) 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Skin Game(With: Parnell Hall) 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Bombshell(With: Parnell Hall) 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Jackpot(With: Bryon Quertermous) 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Obsession(With: Brett Battles) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Golden Hour(With: Brett Battles) 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Blown Away(By: Brett Battles) 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1981–2008)

Stuart Woods's Will Lee series comprises seven mystery and thriller novels published between 1981 and 2008, with the complete saga following publication order. Beginning with Chiefs and concluding with Mounting Fears, this finished series traces the career and life of its protagonist across the span of several decades. Each installment builds on the previous entries, so readers should start with the first book and proceed chronologically through the releases to fully appreciate the character's development and the interconnected storylines.

Start with Chiefs, the first of 7 books in the Will Lee series.

#	Title
1	Chiefs 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Run Before the Wind 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Deep Lie 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Grass Roots 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Run 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Capital Crimes 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Mounting Fears 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible