Below is the complete list of Michael Connelly books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Bosch Universe Books
- The Black Echo (1992)
The Black Echo was published in 1992 and is listed as book #1 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Black Ice (1993)
Published in 1993, The Black Ice is listed as book #2 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Concrete Blonde (1994)
The Concrete Blonde is a 1994 release and appears as book #3 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Last Coyote (1995)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Last Coyote is book #4 and was published in 1995. - The Poet (1996)
The Poet was first published in 1996; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #5. - Trunk Music (1997)
Trunk Music was published in 1997 and is listed as book #6 in the Bosch Universe series. - Blood Work (1998)
Published in 1998, Blood Work is listed as book #7 in the Bosch Universe series. - Angels Flight (1999)
Angels Flight is a 1999 release and appears as book #8 in the Bosch Universe series. - Void Moon (1999)
In the Bosch Universe series, Void Moon is book #9 and was published in 1999. - A Darkness More Than Night (2000)
A Darkness More Than Night was first published in 2000; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #10. - City of Bones (2002)
City of Bones was published in 2002 and is listed as book #11 in the Bosch Universe series. - Lost Light (2003)
Published in 2003, Lost Light is listed as book #12 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Narrows (2004)
The Narrows is a 2004 release and appears as book #13 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Closers (2005)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Closers is book #14 and was published in 2005. - The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)
The Lincoln Lawyer was first published in 2005; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #15. - Echo Park (2006)
Echo Park was published in 2006 and is listed as book #16 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Overlook (2007)
Published in 2007, The Overlook is listed as book #17 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Brass Verdict (2008)
The Brass Verdict is a 2008 release and appears as book #18 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Scarecrow (2009)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Scarecrow is book #19 and was published in 2009. - Nine Dragons (2009)
Nine Dragons was first published in 2009; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #20. - Blue on Black (2010)
Blue on Black was published in 2010 and is listed as book #21 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Reversal (2010)
Published in 2010, The Reversal is listed as book #22 in the Bosch Universe series. - Angle of Investigation (2011)
Angle of Investigation is a 2011 release and appears as book #23 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Fifth Witness (2011)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Fifth Witness is book #24 and was published in 2011. - Suicide Run (2011)
Suicide Run was first published in 2011; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #25. - The Drop (2011)
The Drop was published in 2011 and is listed as book #26 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Black Box (2012)
Published in 2012, The Black Box is listed as book #27 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Gods of Guilt (2013)
The Gods of Guilt is a 2013 release and appears as book #28 in the Bosch Universe series. - Switchblade (2014)
In the Bosch Universe series, Switchblade is book #29 and was published in 2014. - The Burning Room (2014)
The Burning Room was first published in 2014; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #30. - The Crossing (2015)
The Crossing was published in 2015 and is listed as book #31 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Wrong Side of Goodbye (2016)
Published in 2016, The Wrong Side of Goodbye is listed as book #32 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Late Show (2017)
The Late Show is a 2017 release and appears as book #33 in the Bosch Universe series. - Two Kinds of Truth (2017)
In the Bosch Universe series, Two Kinds of Truth is book #34 and was published in 2017. - Dark Sacred Night (2018)
Dark Sacred Night was first published in 2018; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #35. - The Night Fire (2019)
The Night Fire was published in 2019 and is listed as book #36 in the Bosch Universe series. - Fair Warning (2020)
Published in 2020, Fair Warning is listed as book #37 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Law of Innocence (2020)
The Law of Innocence is a 2020 release and appears as book #38 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Dark Hours (2021)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Dark Hours is book #39 and was published in 2021. - Desert Star (2022)
Desert Star was first published in 2022; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #40. - Resurrection Walk (2023)
Resurrection Walk was published in 2023 and is listed as book #41 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Waiting (2024)
Published in 2024, The Waiting is listed as book #42 in the Bosch Universe series. - Nightshade (2025)
Nightshade is a 2025 release and appears as book #43 in the Bosch Universe series. - The Proving Ground (2025)
In the Bosch Universe series, The Proving Ground is book #44 and was published in 2025. - Ironwood (2026)
Ironwood was first published in 2026; within the Bosch Universe series, it is listed as book #45. - The Hollow (2026)
The Hollow was published in 2026 and is listed as book #46 in the Bosch Universe series.
The “Bosch Universe” is the interconnected world created by Michael Connelly, built around LAPD detective Harry Bosch and extending to linked characters such as Mickey Haller (the Lincoln Lawyer), Renée Ballard, and journalist Jack McEvoy.
Publication Order of Harry Bosch Books
- The Black Echo (1992)
The Black Echo was published in 1992 and is listed as book #1 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Black Ice (1993)
Published in 1993, The Black Ice is listed as book #2 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Concrete Blonde (1994)
The Concrete Blonde is a 1994 release and appears as book #3 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Last Coyote (1995)
In the Harry Bosch series, The Last Coyote is book #4 and was published in 1995. - Trunk Music (1997)
Trunk Music was first published in 1997; within the Harry Bosch series, it is listed as book #5. - Angels Flight (1999)
Angels Flight was published in 1999 and is listed as book #6 in the Harry Bosch series. - A Darkness More Than Night (2000)
Published in 2000, A Darkness More Than Night is listed as book #7 in the Harry Bosch series. - City of Bones (2002)
City of Bones is a 2002 release and appears as book #8 in the Harry Bosch series. - Lost Light (2003)
In the Harry Bosch series, Lost Light is book #9 and was published in 2003. - The Narrows (2004)
The Narrows was first published in 2004; within the Harry Bosch series, it is listed as book #10. - The Closers (2005)
The Closers was published in 2005 and is listed as book #11 in the Harry Bosch series. - Echo Park (2006)
Published in 2006, Echo Park is listed as book #12 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Overlook (2007)
The Overlook is a 2007 release and appears as book #13 in the Harry Bosch series. - Nine Dragons (2009)
In the Harry Bosch series, Nine Dragons is book #14 and was published in 2009. - The Drop (2011)
The Drop was first published in 2011; within the Harry Bosch series, it is listed as book #15. - The Black Box (2012)
The Black Box was published in 2012 and is listed as book #16 in the Harry Bosch series. - Switchblade (2014)
Published in 2014, Switchblade is listed as book #17 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Burning Room (2014)
The Burning Room is a 2014 release and appears as book #18 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Crossing (2015)
In the Harry Bosch series, The Crossing is book #19 and was published in 2015. - The Wrong Side of Goodbye (2016)
The Wrong Side of Goodbye was first published in 2016; within the Harry Bosch series, it is listed as book #20. - Two Kinds of Truth (2017)
Two Kinds of Truth was published in 2017 and is listed as book #21 in the Harry Bosch series. - Dark Sacred Night (2018)
Published in 2018, Dark Sacred Night is listed as book #22 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Night Fire (2019)
The Night Fire is a 2019 release and appears as book #23 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Dark Hours (2021)
In the Harry Bosch series, The Dark Hours is book #24 and was published in 2021. - Desert Star (2022)
Desert Star was first published in 2022; within the Harry Bosch series, it is listed as book #25. - Resurrection Walk (2023)
Resurrection Walk was published in 2023 and is listed as book #26 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Waiting (2024)
Published in 2024, The Waiting is listed as book #27 in the Harry Bosch series. - The Hollow (2026)
The Hollow is a 2026 release and appears as book #28 in the Harry Bosch series.
Publication Order of Harry Bosch Short Stories/Novellas Books
- Blue on Black (2010)
Blue on Black was published in 2010 and is listed as book #1 in the Harry Bosch Short Stories/Novellas series. - Angle of Investigation (2011)
Published in 2011, Angle of Investigation is listed as book #2 in the Harry Bosch Short Stories/Novellas series. - Suicide Run (2011)
Suicide Run is a 2011 release and appears as book #3 in the Harry Bosch Short Stories/Novellas series. - The Crooked Man (2014)
In the Harry Bosch Short Stories/Novellas series, The Crooked Man is book #4 and was published in 2014.
Publication Order of Lincoln Lawyer Books
- The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)
The Lincoln Lawyer was published in 2005 and is listed as book #1 in the Lincoln Lawyer series. - The Brass Verdict (2008)
Published in 2008, The Brass Verdict is listed as book #2 in the Lincoln Lawyer series. - The Reversal (2010)
The Reversal is a 2010 release and appears as book #3 in the Lincoln Lawyer series. - The Fifth Witness (2011)
In the Lincoln Lawyer series, The Fifth Witness is book #4 and was published in 2011. - The Gods of Guilt (2013)
The Gods of Guilt was first published in 2013; within the Lincoln Lawyer series, it is listed as book #5. - The Law of Innocence (2020)
The Law of Innocence was published in 2020 and is listed as book #6 in the Lincoln Lawyer series. - Resurrection Walk (2023)
Published in 2023, Resurrection Walk is listed as book #7 in the Lincoln Lawyer series. - The Proving Ground (2025)
The Proving Ground is a 2025 release and appears as book #8 in the Lincoln Lawyer series.
Publication Order of Renée Ballard Books
- The Late Show (2017)
The Late Show was published in 2017 and is listed as book #1 in the Renée Ballard series. - Dark Sacred Night (2018)
Published in 2018, Dark Sacred Night is listed as book #2 in the Renée Ballard series. - The Night Fire (2019)
The Night Fire is a 2019 release and appears as book #3 in the Renée Ballard series. - The Dark Hours (2021)
In the Renée Ballard series, The Dark Hours is book #4 and was published in 2021. - Desert Star (2022)
Desert Star was first published in 2022; within the Renée Ballard series, it is listed as book #5. - The Waiting (2024)
The Waiting was published in 2024 and is listed as book #6 in the Renée Ballard series.
Publication Order of Jack McEvoy Books
- The Poet (1996)
The Poet was published in 1996 and is listed as book #1 in the Jack McEvoy series. - The Scarecrow (2009)
Published in 2009, The Scarecrow is listed as book #2 in the Jack McEvoy series. - Fair Warning (2020)
Fair Warning is a 2020 release and appears as book #3 in the Jack McEvoy series.
Publication Order of Terry McCaleb Books
- Blood Work (1998)
Blood Work was published in 1998 and is listed as book #1 in the Terry McCaleb series. - A Darkness More Than Night (2000)
Published in 2000, A Darkness More Than Night is listed as book #2 in the Terry McCaleb series. - The Narrows (2004)
The Narrows is a 2004 release and appears as book #3 in the Terry McCaleb series.
Publication Order of Detective Stilwell Books
- Nightshade (2025)
Nightshade was published in 2025 and is listed as book #1 in the Detective Stilwell series. - Ironwood (2026)
Published in 2026, Ironwood is listed as book #2 in the Detective Stilwell series.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
- Void Moon (1999)
Void Moon was published in 1999 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series. - Chasing the Dime (2002)
Published in 2002, Chasing the Dime is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
With Dennis Lehane
- The Safe Man: A Ghost Story (2012)
The Safe Man: A Ghost Story was published in 2012 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas BooksWith Dennis Lehane series. - Red Eye (2014)
(With Dennis Lehane)
Published in 2014, Red Eye is listed as book #2 in the Short Stories/Novellas BooksWith Dennis Lehane series.
Publication Order of Short Story Collections Books
- Mulholland Dive (2012)
Mulholland Dive was published in 2012 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Story Collections series.
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
- Crime Beat (2004)
Crime Beat was published in 2004 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series.
About Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly is an American crime novelist best known for creating LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch and for building one of the most interconnected crime fiction universes in modern publishing. Born in 1956 in Philadelphia and raised in Florida, Connelly developed an early fascination with detective stories after discovering the novels of Raymond Chandler. He studied journalism at the University of Florida and began his career as a crime reporter, covering police beats in Florida and later for the Los Angeles Times. That journalistic background—particularly his firsthand exposure to homicide investigations—deeply shaped the realism and procedural precision of his fiction.
Connelly’s debut novel, The Black Echo (1992), introduced Harry Bosch and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The book established several defining elements of the Bosch series: Los Angeles as a living backdrop, morally driven protagonists, and the emotional toll of investigative work. Reading Michael Connelly’s books in publication order is especially valuable because his novels often share characters, overlapping timelines, and cumulative character development.
The Harry Bosch series forms the backbone of Connelly’s bibliography. Early novels such as The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde, and The Last Coyote focus on Bosch’s career within the LAPD and his complex personal history, including unresolved trauma from his childhood. Over time, Bosch transitions from active detective to retired investigator, private detective, and mentor—an evolution that unfolds gradually across multiple decades of publication. Chronological reading preserves the natural progression of his professional and personal life.
In addition to Bosch, Connelly introduced criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer (2005). Haller, Bosch’s half-brother, anchors a parallel legal thriller series. The crossover between the Bosch and Haller novels makes publication order particularly important, as characters move between storylines and shared events ripple across books. Connelly later introduced journalist Jack McEvoy and detective Renée Ballard, further expanding the interconnected universe.
One of Connelly’s strengths lies in procedural authenticity. His years covering crime reporting inform the structure of investigations in his novels—evidence handling, chain of custody, interrogation dynamics, and courtroom procedure are portrayed with meticulous attention to detail. This realism gives his fictional Los Angeles a grounded, lived-in feel.
Stylistically, Connelly favors:
- Third-person limited narration
- Methodical investigative pacing
- Emphasis on moral ambiguity within law enforcement
- Sparse but effective prose
Over time, his plotting has grown more layered, particularly as multiple protagonists begin to collaborate in later novels, such as those pairing Bosch with Renée Ballard. Reading his books chronologically reveals how individual series threads converge, deepening the sense of a shared fictional world.
Connelly’s work has earned numerous awards, including the Edgar, Anthony, and Shamus Awards. His novels have been adapted for television, most notably the Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer series, further extending the reach of his characters.
Across more than thirty novels, Michael Connelly has constructed a crime fiction landscape rooted in continuity and character evolution. Viewed in publication order, his bibliography traces the professional arc of Harry Bosch, the legal maneuvering of Mickey Haller, and the expanding network of investigators within Los Angeles. The chronological progression highlights both the sustained development of recurring characters and the steady refinement of Connelly’s procedural storytelling.