Michael Connelly is one of those authors you don’t just read once and move on from. You take a chance, pick one book, enjoy it, and suddenly realize there are dozens more waiting. It’s like expecting one present and getting ten!
The confusing part isn’t whether his books are good. Because they definitely are! The real confusion is figuring out where to start.
Connelly hasn’t written one neat little series. He has built an entire empire of a shared crime universe filled with detectives, lawyers, reporters, and cold cases that you can’t help but want more of.
That’s why you’re here. Get a simple guide to Michael Connelly books in order, grouped by series, with simple intros so you can decide which one suits your fancy the most.
Michael Connelly Books in Order of Popular Series
I. Harry Bosch Series (1992–2024)
Consider Harry Bosch the backbone of Michael Connelly’s books. This is the series that started it all. And it subtly connects all the others as well.
Bosch is an LAPD homicide detective who believes one simple thing – everybody counts. Follow this story through decades of cases, career changes, mistakes, and moral battles.
The series is gritty and emotional. Reading them in order makes Bosch feel less like a character and more like a real person who is aging right in front of you.
Harry Bosch books in order:
- The Black Echo (1992)
- The Black Ice (1993)
- The Concrete Blonde (1994)
- The Last Coyote (1995)
- Trunk Music (1997)
- Angels Flight (1999)
- A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
- City of Bones (2002)
- Lost Light (2003)
- The Narrows (2004)
- 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)
- Dark Sacred Night (2018)
- The Night Fire (2019)
- The Dark Hours (2021)
- Desert Star (2022)
- The Waiting (2024)
The series later shifts Bosch out of the limelight for a bit. That is intentional and, honestly, a genius move because it works.
II. Mickey Haller/Lincoln Lawyer Series (2005–2025)
Our protagonist, Mickey Haller, loves to roam around in the gray areas of the law. This defense attorney works out the back of his Lincoln, and his mastery of law will leave you speechless.
Fair warning: you’re not always going to like him. But he is one of Connelly’s most interesting characters.
The stories in this series are faster and more dialogue-driven than the Bosch series. That makes them extremely bingeable.
And if you’ve covered the Bosch series before starting this, you’ll love the sudden appearances of Bosch in this one.
Mickey Haller books in order:
- 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)
- Resurrection Walk (2023)
- The Proving Ground (2026)
If courtroom drama is your thing, this series is an easy win. It is also probably the best entry point for new readers.
III. Jack McEvoy Series (1996–2020)
Who doesn’t love a nosy detective getting into trouble all the time? Jack McEvoy brings that crazy journalist energy to Connelly’s crime universe, and you can’t help but love it!
This one is a short series, but it really packs a punch. The books are filled with serial killers, media ethics, and uncomfortable truths.
Unlike the other two series, this one is a bit darker. You’ll love it if you love thrillers that mess with your head a little.
Jack McEvoy books in order:
- The Poet (1996)
- The Scarecrow (2009)
- Fair Warning (2020)
While you don’t need to read these back-to-back, it definitely helps to follow the chronological order.
IV. Renée Ballard Series (2017–2024)
Connelly’s writing starts feeling more modern once you reach the Renée Ballard series. Our protagonist works the LAPD night shift, handling cases most people couldn’t be bothered about.
Throughout the series, you’ll deal with cold cases, institutional problems, and victims who were forgotten. Watch out for the surprise check-ins from an older Harry Bosch.
This series feels more grounded than others. Consider the books in this series a bridge between classic Connelly and his newer works.
Renée Ballard books in order:
- The Late Show (2017)
- Dark Sacred Night (2018)
- The Night Fire (2019)
- The Dark Hours (2021)
- Desert Star (2022)
- The Waiting (2024)
If you don’t vibe with classic Connelly but also want to remain connected to the biggest universe that he has built, then start here. That way, you won’t feel lost.
V. Catalina Island Series (2025–ongoing)
Michael Connelly shows no signs of slowing down, even after decades of writing. He’s back in 2025 with another new series, and this time, the story is set in a smaller and more isolated setting.
The crime doesn’t end. In fact, due to the isolated setting, it feels more personal and harder to escape.
The series is meant to be a fresh start. So, even if you haven’t read any of the earlier Connelly series, you can easily start with this one, since you don’t need a massive backstory.
Catalina Island series books:
- Nightshade (2025)
- Ironwood (2026)
The downside of starting with this series? You have to play a long waiting game for each book to be released.
Standalone Michael Connelly Books in Order of Release Date
Not every Connelly book has to be part of a series to be worth a read. In fact, some of the author’s strongest works are his standalones.
These books experiment with different characters and situations. They’re also the perfect read for those afraid to start a series for fear of leaving them midway.
Standalone novels:
- Blood Work (1998)
- Void Moon (1999)
- Chasing the Dime (2002)
If you’re a longtime fan of Connelly’s works, then you’ll notice quiet connections here and there. But if you’re a fresh reader, just enjoy them as self-contained thrillers.
So, Do You Read Michael Connelly Books in Order or Not?
Well, there isn’t a single answer to that, and that’s good! It means that every series is flexible and won’t confuse new readers much.
If you want the full, long-term experience, then follow the order highlighted in this article. However you start, odds are you won’t stop with just one. That’s kind of the Connelly effect.
Writer. Dreamer. Journalist (maybe?). Anime lover (definitely). I turn curiosity into stories and everyday life into a narrative worth reading.
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