Books On Board
series Reading Order

Ava Lee Books in Order

17 Books
2011 – 2024 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read the Ava Lee Series

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Ava Lee series in publication order. Following the series as it was written allows you to watch Ava's character develop, her relationships deepen, and her financial investigation agency evolve naturally.

However, if you prefer chronological order, you can start with the prequel novella, The Dragon Head of Hong Kong, which details the origin of Ava's partnership with her mentor, Uncle Chow Tung. Most readers prefer to read this prequel after getting a few novels under their belt, particularly after the fifth book, The Scottish Banker of Surabaya.

Ava Lee Books in Order of Publication

Here is the complete list of Ava Lee novels and novellas in their original publication sequence:

  • The Water Rat of Wanchai (2011) - Also published under the UK title The Deadly Touch of the Tigress
  • The Disciple of Las Vegas (2011) - Also published under the UK title The Fiery Gaze of the Tigress
  • The Wild Beasts of Wuhan (2011)
  • The Red Pole of Macau (2012)
  • The Scottish Banker of Surabaya (2013)
  • The Dragon Head of Hong Kong (2013) - Prequel Novella (Book 0.5)
  • The Two Sisters of Borneo (2014)
  • The King of Shanghai (2014)
  • The Princeling of Nanjing (2015)
  • The Couturier of Milan (2017)
  • The Imam of Tawi-Tawi (2018)
  • The Goddess of Yantai (2018)
  • The Mountain Master of Sha Tin (2019)
  • The Diamond Queen of Singapore (2020)
  • The Sultan of Sarawak (2022)
  • The General of Tiananmen Square (2023)
  • The Fury of Beijing (2024)

Spin-offs and Companion Series: Uncle Chow Tung

To explore the rich history of the Chinese Triads and the backstory of Ava's beloved partner, you can read the prequel spin-off series, The Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung. These books focus on Uncle Chow's rise to power beginning in 1969. While they take place chronologically before the main series, they are best enjoyed after you have read several Ava Lee novels.

The Uncle Chow Tung series should be read in this order:

  1. Fate (2019)
  2. Foresight (2020)
  3. Fortune (2021)
  4. Finale (2022)

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Ava Lee series?

You should start with the first novel, The Water Rat of Wanchai. While there is a prequel novella called The Dragon Head of Hong Kong, reading the first novel first provides the best introduction to Ava's unique world of international debt collection.

QIs there a spin-off series to the Ava Lee books?

Yes. Ian Hamilton wrote a four-book prequel spin-off series called The Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung (consisting of Fate, Foresight, Fortune, and Finale) focusing on the backstory of Ava's mentor.

QWhy do some Ava Lee books have different titles?

The first two books were published under different names in the UK market. The Water Rat of Wanchai was released as The Deadly Touch of the Tigress, and The Disciple of Las Vegas was released as The Fiery Gaze of the Tigress.

QIs the Ava Lee series complete?

Yes, the main series concludes with the 17th book, The Fury of Beijing, which was published in 2024.

QWho is Uncle Chow Tung?

Uncle Chow Tung is Ava Lee's close business partner and mentor. He is a respected and powerful figure in the Chinese Triad underworld who helps guide Ava through high-stakes global negotiations.

QAre the Ava Lee books co-authored or written with anyone else?

No, all books in the Ava Lee series and its spin-offs are written solely by Canadian author Ian Hamilton.