Jack Dillon Dublin Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

If you are ready to walk the rainy, pub-lined streets of Dublin alongside a dryly humorous American lawman, the best place to begin your journey is with Welcome (2016). This debut novel establishes the entire premise of the series: US Marshal Jack Dillon is sent to Ireland on what should be a straightforward, short-term assignment to escort a fugitive back to the United States. Instead, he finds himself caught in a chaotic web of Russian mobsters, local criminals, and gunplay. The fallout of this first case leaves him essentially stranded on a long-term "special assignment," loaned to Ireland’s national police force, the Garda Síochána.

While the author, Mike Faricy, purposefully designs each Jack Dillon Dublin adventure to function as a standalone mystery, reading them in order offers the best experience. Starting with the first book allows you to appreciate the gradual development of Jack’s character as he transforms from a fish-out-of-water American into a seasoned investigator of Dublin's criminal underworld. You will also get to watch the slow-burn evolution of his partnership with Garda Detective Paddy Suel, whose local knowledge and sharp Irish wit perfectly counterbalance Jack’s direct, hard-boiled American approach to policing.

Jack Dillon Dublin Tales in Publication Order

The series is best enjoyed in the order the books were published. The publication history shows a rapid release schedule, with several novels debuting in 2019 as Faricy hit his stride with the character. Below is the complete list of the Jack Dillon Dublin Tales based on their original release years:

1. Welcome (2016) – Jack Dillon arrives in Dublin to extradite a fugitive, but Russian gangsters and local turf wars quickly derail his plans.
2. Sweet Dreams (2019) – Working with the Garda, Jack investigates a deadly airport shootout connected to a ruthless Russian crime boss.
3. Mirror Mirror (2019) – An armored car heist leads Jack and Paddy Suel into the crosshairs of a powerful local crime lord.
4. Silver Bullet (2019) – When a high-profile target is assassinated, Jack must navigate the shadowy alliances of Dublin's criminal elite.
5. Spade Work (2019) – Jack tackles a gritty case involving missing bodies and buried secrets in the Irish countryside.
6. Fair City Blues (2019) – A string of bizarre burglaries and blackmail schemes keeps the Garda on high alert.
7. Madeline Missing (2019) – Jack and Paddy search for a missing American university student, uncovering a human trafficking ring.
8. Mistaken Identity (2019) – A case of crossed identities leads to deadly consequences for a local gang and puts Jack in the line of fire.
9. You're Mine Valentine! (2019) – A holiday-themed short story that highlights Jack's romantic misadventures and typical bad luck.
10. Picture Perfect (2021) – The art world and the underworld collide when Jack investigates a high-stakes museum theft.
11. Dublin Moon (2021) – Under the cover of a full moon, a series of strange assaults prompts Jack to patrol the city's darkest alleys.
12. Mystery Woman (2021) – An unidentified female victim with ties to international espionage forces Jack to coordinate with foreign intelligence.
13. Second Chance (2022) – A paroled criminal seeks revenge on those who put him away, with Jack Dillon at the top of his target list.
14. Payback Brother (2022) – A sibling rivalry turns lethal, requiring Jack to mediate a deadly family feud among Dublin mobsters.
15. The Heist (2022) – Jack investigates a sophisticated bank robbery that appears to have been planned from the inside.
16. Jewels To Kill For (2023) – A collection of priceless diamonds goes missing, leaving a trail of bodies across the capital.
17. Retirement Scheme (2023) – A seemingly peaceful retirement community becomes the center of a lucrative financial fraud and murder investigation.
18. The Collector (2023) – Jack tracks down a serial offender who hoards bizarre souvenirs from his victims.
19. Missing In The Emerald City (2024) – A tourist disappears under mysterious circumstances, forcing Jack to navigate Dublin's busy tourist season to find them.
20. The Good Neighbor (2024) – Jack investigates a quiet suburban street where secrets hide behind every manicured lawn and locked door.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

Unlike some complex spy thrillers or multi-generational fantasy sagas, the Jack Dillon Dublin Tales do not feature intricate timelines, prequels, or significant flashbacks. The chronological order of the stories matches their publication order exactly. Every book takes place shortly after the events of the previous one, following the steady timeline of Jack's career in Dublin.

Because the overarching continuity is light, you do not need to worry about being hopelessly lost if you pick up a book out of order. Each novel features a self-contained case that is fully resolved by the final page. However, the recurring cast of characters—including Jack's colleagues at the Garda, local pub owners, and his romantic interests—develop continuously. Reading out of order means you might occasionally encounter minor spoilers regarding Jack's relationship status or his standing with his superiors, but it will not impact your enjoyment of the individual mysteries.

The Patrick Emmett Pseudonym and Author Background

Readers researching the series online may occasionally see the early Jack Dillon books credited to an author named Patrick Emmett. This is actually a pen name used by Mike Faricy during the initial launch of the series. Faricy, who divides his time between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Dublin, Ireland, originally chose the pseudonym to differentiate his Irish tales from his established American P.I. novels. Eventually, the books were re-released under Faricy’s own name, aligning the series with his broader bibliography of humorous crime fiction.

Faricy is highly regarded in the crime fiction community and won the 2016 International Crime Masters Silver Award, a testament to his engaging storytelling style. His intimate familiarity with both Midwestern American culture and the daily rhythms of Dublin is what gives the Jack Dillon series its authentic, highly entertaining "fish-out-of-water" atmosphere. Jack Dillon’s voice is unmistakably American, yet the setting is detailed and distinctly Irish, providing a unique reading experience that bridges both worlds.

Spin-Offs and the Dev Haskell Universe

Mike Faricy is perhaps best known for his long-running Dev Haskell series, which features a wise-cracking, Minnesota-based private investigator who frequently gets in over his head. While Jack Dillon and Dev Haskell share Faricy’s signature comedic tone, fast pacing, and colorful casts of characters, the two series remain distinct. Jack Dillon's books are set almost exclusively in Ireland and follow a law enforcement officer, whereas Dev Haskell operates in the American Midwest as a private eye.

As of now, there are no official crossover novels where Dev Haskell and Jack Dillon team up, nor are there any direct spin-off series focusing on secondary characters like Paddy Suel. For readers who finish the Jack Dillon books and want more of Faricy’s trademark blend of humor and hard-boiled action, the Dev Haskell series is the logical next step.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, it is helpful to keep a few key details in mind. First, don't confuse this series with the Sean Dillon thrillers written by Jack Higgins; Faricy's Jack Dillon is much more focused on humor, lighthearted banter, and detective work than high-stakes global espionage. The tone of the Jack Dillon books balances gritty crime elements—such as Russian mobsters, street violence, and theft—with a breezy, comedic style reminiscent of authors like Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard.

Additionally, the portrayal of Dublin is highly detailed. Faricy’s love for the city shines through in his descriptions of local pubs, neighborhoods, and the unique slang used by the Irish characters. Jack’s struggles to adapt to Irish phrases, driving on the left side of the road, and the overall difference in policing culture provide a constant source of humor throughout the books, making the series as much about cultural adaptation as it is about solving crimes.