How to read Michael Connelly’s books in order

Crime fiction novels are arguably one of the most popular literary genres, and people who love this type of literature have a lot of different authors to choose from. Some of the most famous authors include Lee Child, Dennis Lehane, and Raymond Chandler

And while we’re discussing good crime fiction and detective authors, one writer who manages to create wonder thrill, suspense, and anticipation with his books is Michael Connelly.

Who is Michael Connelly?

Michael Connelly is an award-winning American author from Philadelphia who is known for crime fiction and detective novels. His love of writing grew when he was working as a journalist, first in Florida and later in LA for The Los Angeles Times.

Over the years, he has written over 30 books that span five different series, each of which has a fascinating protagonist and interesting storylines.

Connelly has been awarded the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, and the Macavity Award for his writing. Additionally, his books are popular all over the world and have been translated into more than 40 different languages.

Michael Connelly’s book series

Unlike most authors in this genre who only write series revolving around one character, Connelly has written five different series of novels.

Harry Bosch series

Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch is a Vietnam War veteran turned LAPD detective who is passionate, relentless, and determined while solving crimes. His main goal is to bring justice to the victims whose cases he takes on even if it causes him to run afoul of the law here and there.

This is Michael Connelly’s most popular book series and was even adapted into a TV show in 2014 named Bosch with Titus Welliver playing the titular character.

Jack McEvoy series

Jack McEvoy is a dedicated crime journalist who will stop at nothing to get the story he wants and solve the case he’s reporting on.

There are only three books in the series so far, but in all of them, our hero is determined to bring the killer to justice and untangle the web that was woven into the high-profile crimes he’s writing about. Rachel Walling, an FBI special agent, is also a major character in the series.

Mickey Haller series

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney living in Los Angeles, California and operating out of his Lincoln Town Car (hence the alternative name to this series, the Lincoln Lawyer books). He’s incredibly street-smart and knows better than anyone how to work the judicial system to his advantage and help his clients like no other attorney ever could.

Renée Ballard series

Renée Ballard is a detective working night shifts at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division. She is tenacious and determined and will stop at nothing to bring justice to the victims of the gruesome crimes she works on. Her supervisors often see her as a troublemaker but she still takes her job seriously, even when others don’t.

Terry McCaleb series

Terry McCaleb is a retired FBI agent who can’t let go of his love of crime-solving so he becomes a private investigator. There are three books in the series, and in all of them, McCaleb investigates murders he takes a personal interest in and that take him down a road of crime, thrill, and suspense.

Overview of Michael Connelly books in publication order

Even though Michael Connelly is best known for his Harry Bosch book series, he has written many books over the years, both fiction and non-fiction. He even has a few anthologies and a children’s book under his belt.

Harry Bosch books

• The Black Echo (1992)
• The Black Ice (1993)
• The Concrete Blonde (1994)
• The Last Coyote (1995)
• Trunk Music (1997)
• Angels Flight (1999)
• City Of Bones (2002)
• Lost Light (2003)
• The Closers (2005)
• Echo Park (2006)
• The Overlook (2007)
• Nine Dragons (2009)
• The Drop (2011)
• The Black Box (2012)
• The Burning Room (2014)
• The Crossing (2015)
• The Wrong Side Of Goodbye (2016)
• Two Kinds Of Truth (2017)

Harry Bosch short stories

• “Blue on Black” (2010)
• Angle of Investigation: Three Harry Bosch Short Stories (2011)
• “Suicide Run” (2011)
• “Switchblade” (2014)

Jack McEvoy series

• The Poet (1996)
• The Scarecrow (2009)
• Fair Warning (2020)

Mickey Haller series

• The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)
• The Brass Verdict (2008)
• The Reversal (2010)
• The Fifth Witness (2011)
• The Gods of Guilt (2013)
• The Law of Innocence (2020)

Renée Ballard series

• The Late Show (2017)
• Dark Sacred Night (2018)
• The Night Fire (2019)
• The Dark Hours (2021)
• Desert Star (2022)

Terry McCaleb series

• Blood Work (1998)
• A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
• The Narrows (2004)

Non-series

• Void Moon (1999)
• Chasing The Dime (2002)
• The Safe Man: A Ghost Story Story (2012)
• Mulholland Dive: Three Short Stories (2012)

Mysterious profiles

• Hieronymus Bosch: A Mysterious Profile (2022)

Children’s books

• Filbert Nutberry’s Grand Christmas Adventure (2017)

Non-fiction

• Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops and Killers (2004)
• 26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square (2020)

Anthologies

• In the Shadow of the Master (2003)
• Murder in Vegas: New Crime Tales of Gambling and Desperation (2005)
• Mystery Writers of America Presents The Blue Religion: New Stories about Cops, Criminals, and the Chase (2008)
• The Best American Mystery Stories 2009 (2009)
• Hook, Line & Sinister: Mysteries to Reel You In (2010)
• The Rich and the Dead (2011)
• Mystery Writers of America Presents Vengeance (2012)
• FaceOff (2014)
• The Highway Kind: Tales of Fast Cars, Desperate Drivers, and Dark Roads (2016)
• In Sunlight or In Shadow: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper (2016)

Best option for Michael Connelly audiobooks

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FAQ

These are the most frequently asked questions people have about Michael Connelly’s books

In what order should I read Michael Connelly books?

The best order to read Michael Connelly’s books is to start with the first book he ever published which also introduces detective Harry Bosch, and that’s The Black Echo.

In what order should I read the Harry Bosch books?

You should read them in publication order so you can follow along with how the character grows and develops. However, keep in mind that publication order is not the same as the chronological order, and some people prefer to read the books chronologically.

What is Michael Connelly’s best-selling book?

Michael Connelly’s best-selling book is The Lincoln Lawyer, which has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, has over 200,000 ratings on Goodreads, and has been adapted into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey as the titular character Mickey Haller.