If you’re a fan of gripping crime fiction, then Michael Connelly is a name you’ve probably heard—and if not, you’re in for a treat. Connelly is the mastermind behind several unforgettable characters like Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller, and Renée Ballard. His books are known for their intense plots, realistic legal procedures, and morally complex characters.
But here’s the catch: with over 30 novels and multiple interconnected series, figuring out where to begin can feel like trying to solve a cold case without a clue.
That’s why reading his books in order makes the journey more rewarding. Ready to dive into Connelly’s universe? Let’s organize the chaos.
Harry Bosch Series in Order
Who is Harry Bosch?
Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch is a Vietnam vet turned LAPD detective, haunted by his past and obsessed with justice. He’s gritty, flawed, and utterly compelling Connelly’s flagship character.
1. The Black Echo (1992)
The Black Echo is the stunning premiere of the Harry Bosch series, introducing LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. In this first installment, Bosch looks into the death of a fellow Vietnam tunnel rat, revealing a web of corruption and secrets. This engrossing story establishes the tone for Connelly’s intriguing crime novels.
The Black Echo - Harry Bosch Series in Order
2. The Black Ice (1993)
In The Black Ice, the second book in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series, LAPD detective Bosch investigates the suspicious death of a fellow officer. As he delves deeper, the case takes him across the Mexican border and into the dark world of drug cartels, expanding the series’ gritty, atmospheric scope.
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The Black Ice - Harry Bosch Series in Order
3. The Concrete Blonde (1994)
Third in the Harry Bosch series, The Concrete Blonde finds LAPD detective Harry Bosch facing a chilling case linked to his past. As he stands trial for killing a suspected serial killer, a new murder matching the killer’s M.O. suggests the real “Dollmaker” may still be at large.
The Concrete Blonde - Harry Bosch Series in Order
4. The Last Coyote (1995)
In The Last Coyote, Harry Bosch is on involuntary stress leave and haunted by his mother’s unsolved murder. Determined to finally confront the past, he reopens her case unofficially, risking his career. This gripping installment delves deep into Bosch’s psyche, blending personal trauma with relentless detective work.
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The Last Coyote - Harry Bosch Series in Order
5. Trunk Music (1997)
Trunk Music (1997) marks the return of Harry Bosch to the LAPD’s homicide division after an involuntary leave. In this fifth installment, Bosch investigates the execution-style murder of a Hollywood producer found in the trunk of a Rolls-Royce. The case leads him into the dangerous intersection of organized crime and police corruption.
Trunk Music - Harry Bosch Series in Order
6. Angels Flight (1999)
Angels Flight (1999) is the sixth book in the Harry Bosch series and takes place after Trunk Music. When a high-profile civil rights attorney is found murdered on a funicular railway, Bosch is assigned the politically charged case. The investigation exposes deep corruption and racial tension within the LAPD and Los Angeles.
Angels Flight - Harry Bosch Series in Order
7. A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
In A Darkness More Than Night, retired FBI profiler Terry McCaleb is drawn into a murder case that unexpectedly involves detective Harry Bosch. Set after Blood Work and The Last Coyote, this gripping crossover deepens Bosch’s character and blends two of Connelly’s series into one intense, psychological thriller.
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A Darkness More Than Night - Harry Bosch Series in Order
8. City of Bones (2002)
In City of Bones, LAPD detective Harry Bosch investigates a cold case after a dog uncovers a child’s bones in the Hollywood Hills. The discovery leads Bosch through a dark journey into the past, testing his emotional limits. Set in 2002, it marks a turning point in Bosch’s personal and professional life.
City of Bones - Harry Bosch Series in Order
9. Lost Light (2003)
Lost Light (2003) marks a pivotal shift in the Harry Bosch series, as it is the first novel narrated in the first person. Now retired from the LAPD, Bosch reopens a cold case involving the murder of a film production assistant, uncovering deep corruption and facing threats that reignite his relentless pursuit of justice.
Lost Light - Harry Bosch Series in Order
10. The Narrows (2004)
In The Narrows, Harry Bosch follows a chilling trail left by the infamous serial killer known as The Poet. A direct sequel to The Poet and The Concrete Blonde, this novel deepens Bosch’s investigative complexity while intertwining with FBI agent Rachel Walling’s storyline, advancing the series’ overarching narrative and character development.
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The Narrows - Harry Bosch Series in Order
11. The Closers (2005)
In The Closers, Harry Bosch returns from retirement to join the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit, tackling cold cases with renewed determination. Partnered again with Kiz Rider, Bosch investigates a 17-year-old murder, confronting departmental politics and buried secrets. This marks a pivotal point in the series, reigniting Bosch’s relentless pursuit of justice.
The Closers - Harry Bosch Series in Order
12. Echo Park (2006)
In Echo Park, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch reopens a cold case involving a missing young woman, only to discover a chilling link to a serial killer. As the investigation unfolds, Bosch battles departmental politics and personal demons, highlighting his relentless pursuit of justice. This novel marks a pivotal moment in the series.
Echo Park - Harry Bosch Series in Order
13. The Overlook (2007)
Set after Echo Park, The Overlook follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch as he investigates the murder of a physicist with national security implications. Originally serialized in The New York Times Magazine, this fast-paced novel marks Bosch’s return to the Homicide Special unit and introduces FBI Agent Rachel Walling.
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14. Nine Dragons (2009)
In Nine Dragons, Harry Bosch investigates the murder of a Chinese store owner in L.A., which leads him to Hong Kong when his daughter is kidnapped. This intense installment delves deeper into Bosch’s personal life, highlighting his role as a father while balancing the relentless demands of his profession.
NIne Dragons - Harry Bosch Series in Order
15. The Reversal (2010)
In The Reversal, defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to prosecute a high-profile retrial, teaming up with LAPD detective Harry Bosch. The case involves a convicted child molester seeking exoneration, and Bosch’s investigative skills are critical. This legal thriller deepens the Bosch-Haller connection and adds tension to the series’ overarching narrative.
The Reversal - Harry Bosch Series in Order
16. The Drop (2011)
In The Drop, Harry Bosch tackles two challenging cases—a cold case linked to DNA evidence and a high-profile investigation involving a city councilman’s son. Set during Bosch’s final years with the LAPD, this gripping novel explores corruption, political pressure, and Bosch’s relentless pursuit of justice, even as retirement looms.
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The Drop - Harry Bosch Series in Order
17. The Black Box (2012)
The Black Box (2012) marks the 25th anniversary of the 1992 L.A. riots and follows Harry Bosch as he reopens a cold case from that era. Driven by justice, Bosch connects a murder during the chaos to a broader conspiracy. This novel highlights Bosch’s persistence and Connelly’s masterful crime storytelling.
The Black Box - Harry Bosch Series in Order
18. The Burning Room (2014)
The Burning Room (2014) follows Harry Bosch as he investigates a cold case that suddenly turns hot when a victim of a shooting dies years later. Partnered with rookie detective Lucia Soto, Bosch uncovers political corruption and hidden secrets. This gripping novel highlights Bosch’s unwavering pursuit of justice in Los Angeles.
The Burning Room - Harry Bosch Series in Order
19. The Crossing (2015)
In this pivotal novel, Harry Bosch, now retired, is drawn into a case by his half-brother, defense attorney Mickey Haller. Bosch works for the defense, a significant shift, as they investigate a wrongful conviction, forcing him to confront his ingrained detective ethics and navigate the blurred lines of justice.
The Corossing - Harry Bosch Series in Order
20. The Wrong Side of Goodbye (2016)
The Wrong Side of Goodbye (2016): This novel sees Harry Bosch, now retired from the LAPD, working as a private investigator. He takes on a complex case for an ailing billionaire, delving into a family’s dark secrets while also serving as a pro bono investigator for a small-town police department.
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The Wrong Side of Goodbye - Harry Bosch Series in Order
21. Two Kinds of Truth (2017)
Two Kinds of Truth (2017) is the twentieth novel in the Harry Bosch series. In this edition, Bosch, a volunteer with the San Fernando Police Department, faces a tough investigation involving the murder of a chemist during a cocaine sale. The case takes a darker turn when Bosch discovers he may have sent an innocent man to prison years ago, forcing him to confront truly disturbing realities about justice and his own past.
Two Kinds of Truth - Harry Bosch Series in Order
22. Dark Sacred Night (2018)
“Dark Sacred Night (2018)” is an important entry in the Harry Bosch series, notable for the inclusion of Renée Ballard. In this novel, Bosch, who is still handling cold cases on his own, hooks up with Ballard, an LAPD detective on the night shift, to investigate a runaway’s murder. This partnership brings together their individual investigative talents, creating a new dynamic inside the established Bosch universe.
Dark Scared Night - Harry Bosch Series in Order
23. The Night Fire (2019)
As the third book featuring the Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch pairing, The Night Fire (2019) delves into the suspicious death of a judge with whom Bosch’s father once had a contentious relationship. Ballard, now a detective working the night shift, seeks Bosch’s expertise to navigate the complex web of judicial secrets and a potential conspiracy, further intertwining their professional and personal lives within the Harry Bosch Series.
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The Night Fire - Harry Bosch Series in Order
Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer) Series in Order
Meet Mickey Haller
A criminal defense attorney who works out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, Haller is clever, charismatic, and morally ambiguous. He’s also Bosch’s half-brother.
Mickey Haller Series in Order
The Lincoln Lawyer (2005)
The Lincoln Lawyer (2005): This novel introduces Mickey Haller, a defence attorney who works out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. Haller’s life is flipped upside down when he takes on the high-profile case of a wealthy Los Angeles real estate agent accused of assault, which forces him into a morally difficult and deadly court battle.
The Black Echo - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
The Brass Verdict (2008)
While predominantly a Mickey Haller story, The Brass Verdict is notable in the Harry Bosch timeline because it features Bosch’s first major crossover appearance, supporting his half-brother Haller. In this novel, Bosch works a case alongside Haller’s judicial proceedings, gently intertwining their stories together and creating the shared universe of Connelly’s Los Angeles.
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The Brass Verdict - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
The Reversal (2010)
The Reversal (2010) is a significant entry, with Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, enlisting Harry Bosch’s help. In this novel, Haller prosecutes a man he previously defended, blurring the lines of justice and illuminating the complex, often ethically ambiguous, world of the judicial system via Connelly’s distinctive procedural detail.
The Reversal - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
The Fifth Witness (2011)
In the “Harry Bosch Series Chronological Order” portion of your blog entry, “The Fifth Witness (2011)” is significant since it is the first novel in which Mickey Haller, Harry Bosch’s half-brother, plays the lead role.
While not a direct Bosch story, its inclusion in the larger chronological list is critical because it expands the shared universe by introducing legal complexities and characters who subtly intertwine with Bosch’s world, laying the groundwork for future crossovers and character development within Michael Connelly’s rich literary landscape.
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The Fifth Witness - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
The Gods of Guilt (2013)
While essentially a Mickey Haller tale, this book also involves Harry Bosch, extending their troubled but intertwined family dynamic. Bosch’s participation is critical as he helps Haller with a complex murder trial, further integrating their professional and personal lives within the larger Los Angeles legal and crime landscape.
The Gods of Guilt - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
The Law of Innocence (2020)
“Michael Connelly Books in Order: Full List of Books by Series,” “The Law of Innocence (2020)” features Mickey Haller defending himself after being accused of murder. This novel is a unique blend of the Bosch and Haller universes, with Harry Bosch providing critical help while Haller navigates the intricate legal and human challenges of his own case.
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The Law of Innocence - Lincoln Lawyer Books in Order
Bosch & Haller Crossover Novels
If you’re reading both Bosch and Haller books, don’t skip the crossovers like The Reversal and The Crossing they reveal new angles to both characters.
Renée Ballard Series in Order
Who is Renée Ballard?
Ballard is a night-shift LAPD detective fighting gender politics and departmental red tape. She’s a force of nature with a cause.
Ballard Series Chronology
- The Late Show (2017)
- Dark Sacred Night (2018) – with Bosch
- The Night Fire (2019) – with Bosch
- The Dark Hours (2021)
- Desert Star (2022)
- Resurrection Walk (2023) – with Mickey Haller
Ballard and Bosch Together
Their mentor-mentee dynamic adds new depth to Bosch’s legacy and breathes fresh energy into the series.
Jack McEvoy Series in Order
Who is Jack McEvoy?
A crime reporter turned amateur sleuth, Jack brings a journalist’s perspective to Connelly’s crime-ridden world.
Books in the McEvoy Series
- The Poet (1996)
- The Scarecrow (2009)
- Fair Warning (2020)
Terry McCaleb Series in Order
Who is Terry McCaleb?
A former FBI profiler with a heart transplant, McCaleb finds himself pulled back into investigations that hit too close to home.
Books in the Series
- Blood Work (1998)
- A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
Standalone Novels and Short Stories
While the majority of Connelly’s works are interconnected, he has a few standalone pieces worth checking out:
- Void Moon (2000)
- Chasing the Dime (2002)
- The Safe Man (Short story)
Angle of Investigation (Short stories collection)
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Best Way to Read Michael Connelly’s Books
Publication vs. Chronological Order
Michael Connelly’s interconnected universe, notably the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller series, which regularly involve crossovers, is best read in publication order.
While some prefer a strict chronological timeline of events, the publication order ensures that character developments, recurring themes, and subtle references appear as intended,
enhancing the overall narrative experience and avoiding potential spoilers or confusion from later-published prequels or interweaving storylines.
Recommended Reading Flow
“Recommended Reading Flow” offers an alternative route to delving into Michael Connelly’s bibliography, especially for those unfamiliar with his work. Instead of following a strict chronological order, this strategy recommends prioritising significant series (such as the Harry Bosch or Mickey Haller novels) before pursuing cross-overs or independent volumes.
This technique tries to develop a solid grasp of core characters and their growing narratives, which may improve the reader’s enjoyment of the larger Connelly universe.
Where to Start If You’re New
- Start Here: The Black Echo
- Next: The Lincoln Lawyer
- Then: The Late Show
This way, you meet Bosch, Haller, and Ballard early and can branch out depending on your favorite.
Final Thoughts
Michael Connelly has built a literary universe filled with realism, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re hooked on Bosch’s grit, Haller’s legal wizardry, or Ballard’s rebellious energy—reading the books in order unlocks the full richness of his world.
Frequently asked questions
The Black Echo (1992) is the first novel featuring Harry Bosch.
Yes, but reading them together reveals their shared backstory and adds more depth.
Yes, they collaborate in several books and share a mentor-protégé relationship.
It’s based on the first Mickey Haller novel, The Lincoln Lawyer (2005).
Most are suited for mature audiences due to crime and legal themes.
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