What is the best order to read Michael Connelly’s books?

With over 30 novels to his name, Michael Connelly has carved a niche in the world of crime fiction, primarily through his beloved character, Harry Bosch. For newcomers or even seasoned readers looking to revisit his universe, the question often arises: What’s the best order to read Connelly’s books? This guide aims to shed some light.

Chronological Order: The Harry Bosch Series

For those who enjoy seeing the progression of a character over time, it’s best to start with the Harry Bosch series in the order they were published:

1. The Black Echo (1992)
2. The Black Ice (1993)
3. The Concrete Blonde (1994)
4. The Last Coyote (1995)
5. Trunk Music (1997)
6. Angels Flight (1999)
7. A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
8. City of Bones (2002)
9. Lost Light (2003)
10. The Narrows (2004)

Mickey Haller Series (The Lincoln Lawyer Series)

Mickey Haller, Bosch’s half-brother, takes center stage in this series. While you can dive into these after the Bosch series, they do intersect at times. If you’re reading both series, here’s where the Haller books fit in:

1. The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)
2. The Brass Verdict (2008) – This also features Harry Bosch.
3. The Reversal (2010) – Bosch appears here as well.
4. The Fifth Witness (2011)
5. The Gods of Guilt (2013)

Bosch-Haller Universe Intersection

From here on, the universes of Bosch and Haller start intersecting more frequently:

1. The Crossing (2015) – A Bosch novel with Haller playing a significant role.
2. The Wrong Side of Goodbye (2016) – Mainly a Bosch story.
3. Two Kinds of Truth (2017) – Bosch again, but with Haller in the mix.
4. The Law of Innocence (2020) – Primarily a Haller novel, but with Bosch involved.

Other Connelly Novels

Outside of the intertwined Bosch-Haller universe, Connelly has other noteworthy characters and series:

• Jack McEvoy Series: This starts with “The Poet” (1996) and continues with “The Scarecrow” (2009) and “Fair Warning” (2020).
• Renée Ballard Series: A recent addition to Connelly’s repertoire, starting with “The Late Show” (2017). This series also sees a blend with the Bosch universe in books like “Dark Sacred Night” (2018) and “The Night Fire” (2019).

Stand-Alone Novels

Connelly has also penned standalone novels such as “Blood Work” (1998), which was adapted into a film starring Clint Eastwood. Another standalone, “Chasing the Dime” (2002), offers a thrilling dive into the world of a scientist and entrepreneur.