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series Reading Order

Butcher’s Boy Books in Order

4 Books
1982 – 2020 Published
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Reading order
01
The Butcher's Boy
The Butcher's Boy
1982
Amazon
02
Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs
1992
Amazon
03
The Informant
The Informant
2011
Amazon
04
Eddie's Boy
Eddie's Boy
2020
Amazon

Recommended Reading Order

The Butcher’s Boy series is best read in publication order. Because the narrative timeline moves forward chronologically and follows the life, aging, and evolving relationships of the nameless protagonist, reading them out of order will spoil key plot points and character developments.

  1. The Butcher's Boy (1982) — The Edgar Award-winning debut introduces the nameless hitman who runs afoul of the mob and Justice Department analyst Elizabeth Waring.
  2. Sleeping Dogs (1992) — Resurfacing ten years later under the alias Michael Schaeffer, the protagonist is forced out of his quiet life in England to deal with old enemies.
  3. The Informant (2011) — The Butcher’s Boy strikes a tense, high-stakes deal with Elizabeth Waring to eliminate a mutual threat.
  4. Eddie's Boy (2020) — The Barry Award-winning final installment features a reflective look at his childhood training under his mentor, Eddie the Butcher, as he fights to survive a final contract on his life.

Chronological Timeline and Gaps

One of the most unique aspects of the series is how the chronological timeline mirrors the real-world publication gaps. Thomas Perry wrote these novels over a span of nearly four decades, and the characters age accordingly:

  • A 10-year gap between The Butcher's Boy and Sleeping Dogs.
  • A 19-year gap between Sleeping Dogs and The Informant.
  • A 9-year gap between The Informant and Eddie's Boy.

Because of these significant time jumps, the narrative naturally allows the characters to mature, reflecting the physical and mental toll of a life lived in the shadows.

Related Reads and Spin-Offs

While there are no direct spin-offs or co-authored books in the Butcher’s Boy universe, fans of Thomas Perry's tight plotting and intelligent, survival-focused protagonists should check out:

  • The Jane Whitefield Series — Perry's other major series follows a Seneca guide who helps people in danger disappear and build new lives. It starts with Vanishing Act (1995).
  • The Old Man (2017) — A standalone thriller about a retired intelligence officer on the run, which was adapted into a television series starring Jeff Bridges.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Butcher’s Boy series?

You should read the series in publication order, starting with The Butcher’s Boy (1982), followed by Sleeping Dogs (1992), The Informant (2011), and Eddie’s Boy (2020).

QDoes the Butcher’s Boy series need to be read in order?

Yes. The series progresses chronologically, following the same protagonist as he ages over four decades. Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot twists and character developments.

QWho is the main character in the series?

The protagonist is a nameless hitman who was raised and trained in the art of murder by a mafia killer posing as a butcher named Eddie. Throughout the books, he uses various aliases, most notably Michael Schaeffer.

QDid the series win any literary awards?

Yes. The debut novel, The Butcher’s Boy, won the 1983 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and the fourth book, Eddie’s Boy, won the 2021 Barry Award for Best Thriller.

QAre there any spin-offs or short stories featuring the Butcher’s Boy?

No, there are no official spin-offs or short stories. Thomas Perry's standalone novel The Old Man and his Jane Whitefield series offer a similar tone and reading experience.

QHow many books are in the Butcher’s Boy series?

There are exactly four novels in the series, written over a span of thirty-eight years.