J

Jake Needham

Bestselling Author • 7 Series • 44 Books

7
Series
44
Books
7
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books
Start with: The Big Mango (1999)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books
Start with: The Ambassador's Wife (2008)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books
Start with: Laundry Man (2002)

About Jake Needham

Jake Needham is American scriptwriter and a novelist. He is popularly known as amongst the top selling English Language writer in Asia. He was born in Houston Texas. The writer obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History &Economics from Rice University. Later he attended Georgetown University where he graduated with a master’s degree in the field of law. Since 1981, the author has lived and worked in Asia, and he is married to a graduate of Oxford University and a former editor of the Thai edition, Pinptuporn Sawamiphakdi. Much of Jake Needham work is operated at The Writers Room in Greenwich Village. He is the owner of small television production studio that has allowed him to write and produce television programming. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, Jake Needham has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Jake Needham

Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books
4 books 2025–2026
1

Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2025
2

Contempt of Court

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books with Contempt of Court, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

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2026
3

Hearsay Testimony

Hearsay Testimony is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2026
4

A Jury Of His Peers

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books with A Jury Of His Peers, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

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2026
Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books
9 books 2008–2025
1

The Ambassador's Wife

The Ambassador's Wife continues the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2008
2

The Umbrella Man

The Umbrella Man is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2012
3

The Dead American

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Dead American as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

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2014
4

The Girl in the Window

The Girl in the Window continues the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
5

And Brother It's Starting To Rain

And Brother It's Starting To Rain is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2019
6

Mongkok Station

Mongkok Station is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2020
7

Who The Hell Is Harry Black?

Who The Hell Is Harry Black? continues the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023
8

The Detective Gone Gray

The investigation intensifies in The Detective Gone Gray, as this installment of the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Jake Needham's creation.

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2024
9

Goodbye, Mr. Boogie

Goodbye, Mr. Boogie continues the Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2025
Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books
7 books 2002–2022
1

Laundry Man

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books with Laundry Man, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

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2002
2

Killing Plato

A gripping mystery unfolds in Killing Plato as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

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2007
3

A World of Trouble

A World of Trouble is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2012
4

The King of Macau

The King of Macau continues the Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
5

Don't Get Caught

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books with Don't Get Caught, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

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2017
6

And Brother It's Starting To Rain

And Brother It's Starting To Rain is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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2019
7

The Nineteen

The Nineteen continues the Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2022
Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books
11 books 1999–2019
1

The Big Mango

The Big Mango is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

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1999
2

Laundry Man

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books with Laundry Man, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

Buy on Amazon
2002
3

Killing Plato

A gripping mystery unfolds in Killing Plato as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
2007
4

The Ambassador's Wife

The Ambassador's Wife continues the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2008
5

A World of Trouble

A World of Trouble is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2012
6

The Umbrella Man

The Umbrella Man is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2012
7

The King of Macau

The King of Macau continues the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2014
8

The Dead American

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Dead American as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
2014
9

The Girl in the Window

The Girl in the Window continues the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2016
10

Don't Get Caught

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books with Don't Get Caught, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

Buy on Amazon
2017
11

And Brother It's Starting To Rain

And Brother It's Starting To Rain is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2019
Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books
11 books 2008–2019
1

The Ambassador's Wife

The Ambassador's Wife continues the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2008
2

The Umbrella Man

The Umbrella Man is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2012
3

The Big Mango

The Big Mango is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1999
4

Laundry Man

Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books with Laundry Man, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

Buy on Amazon
2002
5

Killing Plato

A gripping mystery unfolds in Killing Plato as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
2007
6

The Dead American

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Dead American as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
2014
7

A World of Trouble

A World of Trouble is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2012
8

The Girl in the Window

The Girl in the Window continues the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2016
9

The King of Macau

The King of Macau continues the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books story arc with Jake Needham's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2014
10

Don't Get Caught

Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books with Don't Get Caught, another outstanding contribution from Jake Needham.

Buy on Amazon
2017
11

And Brother It's Starting To Rain

And Brother It's Starting To Rain is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2019
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
1 books 1999–1999
1

The Big Mango

The Big Mango is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jake Needham have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1999
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 2013–2013
1

Death Toll

A gripping mystery unfolds in Death Toll as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Jake Needham's mastery of suspense.

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2013

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jake Needham?

Jake Needham is a bestselling author known for 7 book series containing over 44 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Charlie Trust Books, Publication Order of Inspector Samuel Tay Books, Publication Order of Jack Shepherd Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Jake Needham series to start with?

For readers new to Jake Needham's work, the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 11 books. Begin with The Big Mango to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Jake Needham written?

Jake Needham has written over 44 books across 7 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Jake Needham books in order?

Yes, reading Jake Needham's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Jake Needham write in?

Jake Needham writes primarily in fiction. With 7 series across 44 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Jake Needham's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Jake Needham's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Jake Needham's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Jake Needham's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels Books series. The first book, The Big Mango, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.