Books On Board
series Reading Order

Abe Glitsky Books in Order

4 Books
1995 – 2014 Published
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Reading order
01
A Certain Justice
A Certain Justice
1995
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02
Guilt
Guilt
1997
Amazon
03
Damage
Damage
2011
Amazon
04
The Keeper
The Keeper
2014
Amazon

Where to Start Reading Abe Glitsky

If you want to focus strictly on Abe Glitsky as a protagonist, the best place to start is with his first standalone novel, A Certain Justice (1995). However, because Glitsky's career and personal life are deeply intertwined with John Lescroart's primary protagonist, defense attorney Dismas Hardy, many readers recommend starting with Dead Irish (1989)—the book that first introduces Glitsky to the world.

Abe Glitsky Core Book Order

While Glitsky appears in dozens of Lescroart's novels, the core books featuring him in a starring or lead investigative role include:

  1. A Certain Justice (1995) – Abe is thrust into a racially charged murder case on the streets of San Francisco.
  2. Guilt (1997) – A brutal murder case pits Abe's instincts against a prominent defense attorney and tests his personal life.
  3. Damage (2011) – Abe goes up against a wealthy and corrupt family shielding a vicious killer.
  4. The Keeper (2014) – Though shared with Dismas Hardy, a retired Abe Glitsky takes the leading role as a private investigator digging into a mysterious disappearance.

Publication vs. Chronological Order Caveats

John Lescroart's San Francisco universe is continuous and develops in real-time. Reading the books out of publication order can lead to major spoilers regarding Abe's family, his health, and his rank within the San Francisco Police Department. For the most rewarding experience, read these novels alongside the main Dismas Hardy books in order of publication.

Crossovers and the Wider Universe

Abe Glitsky is not isolated to his own subseries. He plays massive roles in Hardy-centric books such as The Hearing (2001), where a personal tragedy involving his family takes center stage, and The First Law (2003). He also interacts with Wyatt Hunt, another of Lescroart's recurring protagonists who stars in his own spin-off series beginning with The Hunt Club (2006).

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best order to read the Abe Glitsky books?

The recommended reading order is the publication order: A Certain Justice (1995), Guilt (1997), Damage (2011), and The Keeper (2014).

QCan I read the Abe Glitsky books without reading the Dismas Hardy series?

Yes, you can read the core Abe Glitsky novels as standalones. However, reading them alongside the Dismas Hardy series provides much richer context for their lifelong friendship and shared investigations.

QIn which book does Abe Glitsky first appear?

Abe Glitsky makes his debut as a supporting character in the very first Dismas Hardy novel, Dead Irish (1989).

QIs Abe Glitsky the main character in The Keeper?

Yes. Although The Keeper (2014) is technically part of the broader Dismas Hardy series, a retired Abe Glitsky serves as the primary investigator and central point-of-view character for most of the story.

QWhat is the connection between Abe Glitsky and Dismas Hardy?

Abe Glitsky and Dismas Hardy are best friends who work on opposite sides of the law in San Francisco—Glitsky as a police detective/lieutenant and Hardy as a defense attorney. Their professional and personal lives frequently clash and cross over.

QAre there other spin-offs in John Lescroart's universe?

Yes, John Lescroart has written spin-offs featuring private investigator Wyatt Hunt, starting with The Hunt Club (2006). Characters from all three series cross over regularly.