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series Reading Order

Family Business Books in Order

26 Books
2 Reading orders
2012 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order: Publication vs. Chronological

Carl Weber's Family Business is one of the most successful urban crime drama franchises in modern publishing. While the core numbered books form the backbone of the saga, Weber has collaborated with several co-authors to expand the universe with prequels, character-focused spin-offs, and companion novels. Navigating this vast empire of Queens crime lords can be daunting, but readers generally choose between two primary paths.

Why Publication Order is Recommended

For the most satisfying reading experience, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order. Even though several books step back in time (the Grand Opening prequels) or branch off to follow specific characters (like No More Mr. Nice Guy or Trouble in Rio), the main storyline relies on the slow revelation of secrets. Reading in publication order ensures that you understand who the characters are, their relationships, and the significance of their histories before diving into their backstories.

  • The Family Business (2012)
  • The Family Business 2 (2013)
  • To Paris with Love (2013)
  • The Family Business 3 (2014)
  • Grand Opening (2015)
  • No More Mr. Nice Guy (2016)
  • Grand Opening 2 (2017)
  • The Family Business 4 (2018)
  • Trouble in Rio (2019)
  • The Family Business 5 (2020)
  • The Education of Nevada Duncan (2021)
  • The Family Business 6 (2023)
  • Family Business 7 (2024)

The Chronological Order Path

If you prefer to watch the Duncan family empire grow from its very first roots in the American South before seeing them dominate Jamaica, Queens, you can follow the chronological order. This path groups the prequels at the beginning, followed by Niles Monroe's origin story, before launching into the main line of books.

  1. Grand Opening (Prequel - 1980s origins of the Duncan brothers)
  2. Grand Opening 2 (Prequel sequel)
  3. To Paris with Love (Sits alongside the early novels, focusing on Paris's solo activities)
  4. No More Mr. Nice Guy (Niles Monroe's backstory, introducing his military background and his path to meeting Paris)
  5. The Family Business (The first main novel, setting the stage in Queens)
  6. The Family Business 2 (The heat of the drug empire picks up)
  7. The Family Business 3 (Rival gangs closing in)
  8. The Family Business 4 (The next wave of drama and family defense)
  9. The Family Business 5 (Deepening international crises)
  10. Trouble in Rio (Rio's side story in Brazil, happening roughly parallel to Book 5)
  11. The Education of Nevada Duncan (Setting up the college-bound next generation)
  12. The Family Business 6 (High-stakes family defense)
  13. Family Business 7 (The latest power struggle)

Breaking Down the Prequels, Spin-offs, and Companions

To fully appreciate the scope of Weber's universe, it helps to understand what each non-numbered book contributes to the main story. They are not merely optional extras; they directly impact the characters and plotlines of the main numbered novels.

The Grand Opening Duology

Co-authored with Eric Pete, Grand Opening (2015) and Grand Opening 2 (2017) travel back to a small Southern town. Here, we meet a young Lavernius "LC" Duncan, a college student who simply wants to sell cars, along with his brothers Louis ("Sweet Lou") and Lawrence ("Larry"). Their lives change forever when they cross paths with Alejandro Zuniga, establishing the criminal foundations that would eventually fund their luxury car dealership in Queens, New York.

The Niles Monroe and Paris Duncan Connection

Two books in the list focus on Paris Duncan—the family's beautiful, deadly assassin—and her primary love interest, Niles Monroe. To Paris with Love (2013, co-authored with Eric Pete) highlights Paris's dangerous lifestyle. Meanwhile, No More Mr. Nice Guy (2016, co-authored with Stephanie Covington) is a crucial spin-off. It details Niles Monroe's past as a Special Forces sniper who gets blackmailed into a CIA-run hit squad. This backstory explains how Niles became the hardened operator who enters the Duncans' lives, a role that Christian Keyes brought to life in the television series.

Rio and Nevada: The Next Generation

As the series progresses, the focus shifts to other family members. Trouble in Rio (2019, co-authored with M.T. Pope) follows the flamboyant Rio Duncan to Brazil, where business and pleasure mix with deadly consequences. Later, The Education of Nevada Duncan (2021, co-authored with C.N. Phillips) centers on LC's grandson Nevada. Nevada is sent to college to get an education, but his true lessons come from navigating the family's complex criminal and business interests under the watchful eyes of the older generation.

From Page to Screen: The BET Television Adaptation

The Duncan family's dramatic exploits were so cinematic that they easily transitioned to television. Carl Weber's The Family Business premiered on BET in 2018. The TV adaptation has successfully run for 6 seasons, totaling 53 episodes as of 2026. The series closely follows the plotlines of the novels, bringing beloved characters like LC, Paris, and Niles to the screen.

In early 2025, the franchise expanded with a spin-off series, Carl Weber's The Family Business: New Orleans. Spanning 8 episodes in its first season, this show stars Lela Rochon as Big Shirley Duncan and Brandon T. Jackson as her son Marquis, showing how another branch of the Duncan family defends their casino and empire in the Big Easy.

What to Know Before You Start

Before stepping into the Duncans' showroom, keep these quick tips in mind:

  • Tone and Style: The series is fast-paced, gritty, and filled with soap-opera-style twists. It sits squarely in the urban fiction and crime thriller genres, emphasizing family loyalty, high-stakes betrayals, and romantic drama.
  • Co-authorship: Carl Weber collaborates with talented urban fiction authors to keep the series fresh and productive. Notable co-authors include Eric Pete, Treasure Hernandez, Stephanie Covington, La Jill Hunt, M.T. Pope, and C.N. Phillips. Each brings their own flair to the different subseries and character perspectives.
  • Standalone vs. Serial: You cannot easily read these books out of order. The plot is heavily serialized, meaning events in one book lead directly into the next. Start with either the first book, The Family Business, or the prequel, Grand Opening.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Family Business series?

We recommend starting with the very first book, The Family Business (2012), to get introduced to the Duncans at the height of their power. Alternatively, you can start chronologically with the prequel novel, Grand Opening (2015).

QCan the Family Business books be read as standalones?

No. The series is heavily serialized with ongoing plotlines, character relationships, and recurring conflicts. It is highly recommended to read them in order.

QHow does 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' connect to the series?

It serves as the origin story for Niles Monroe, a major character in the main series and the love interest of Paris Duncan. It explains his background before he joins the Duncans' criminal operations.

QHow many seasons are there of The Family Business TV show?

The main TV show has 6 seasons (53 episodes), and the spin-off, The Family Business: New Orleans, has 1 season (8 episodes).

QWho are the co-authors of the Family Business series?

Carl Weber has co-authored various books in the series with writers such as Eric Pete, Treasure Hernandez, Stephanie Covington, La Jill Hunt, M.T. Pope, and C.N. Phillips.