The serial-killer thriller is built around a recurring investigator and an escalating opponent. These series run longest.
Series in Reading Order
- Hannibal Lecter by Thomas Harris — 8 books · 1981–2006
Four novels, 1981-2006, beginning with Red Dragon. - Alex Cross by James Patterson — 15 books · 1992–2017
Detective and psychologist; the longest series on this page. - Robert Hunter by Chris Carter — 10 books · 2009–2018
LAPD detective series, begun 2009. - Rizzoli Isles by Tess Gerritsen — 12 books · 2001–2012
Boston detective and medical examiner. - Lincoln Rhyme by Jeffery Deaver — 15 books · 1997–2026
Forensic criminalist; begun 1997. - Harry Hole by Jo Nesbo — 10 books · 1997–2013
Oslo detective series, begun 1997. - Helen Grace by M. J. Arlidge — 10 books · 2014–2018
Southampton detective series, begun 2014. - Womens Murder Club by James Patterson — 3 books · 2016–2023
Four women in San Francisco; begun 2001.
How to read these series
Numbered entries follow the order the books were published, which is the order the story was written and the safest order for a first read. Where a series has side novels or novellas, reading them in publication order avoids spoilers from later books.
Where the numbers come from
Book counts and publication years on this page are taken from the series entries in the GoBookSeries index. Each title links to the full book list for that series.
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