How to Read the Amanda Jaffe Series
Written by former criminal defense attorney Phillip Margolin, the Amanda Jaffe series is a gripping collection of legal thrillers set in Portland, Oregon. Because Amanda's character development and personal relationships evolve across the novels, we highly recommend reading them in their original publication order.
Recommended Reading Order
The chronological order of the series matches the publication order exactly, spanning from 2000 to 2016:
- Wild Justice (2000)
- The Associate (2001)
- Ties That Bind (2003)
- Proof Positive (2006)
- Fugitive (2009)
- Violent Crimes (2016)
Where to Start
The absolute best place to start is with the first book, Wild Justice. This novel introduces Amanda as a rising star defending a surgeon accused of horrific crimes. The psychological trauma and ethical fallout from this specific trial play a critical role in shaping her character in later books, particularly in Ties That Bind. In the second book, The Associate, the main protagonist is Daniel Ames, but Amanda plays a vital role as the defense attorney helping to clear his name.
Crossovers and Spin-offs
While Phillip Margolin has written other popular legal thriller series—most notably featuring Portland defense lawyer Robin Lockwood—there are no crossover novels between Amanda Jaffe and Robin Lockwood. They occupy the same Portland setting but operate in completely separate storylines. Additionally, the young adult novel Vanishing Acts, co-authored by Margolin and his daughter Ami Margolin Rome, is a separate project and does not feature Amanda Jaffe.