Can the Leonid McGill books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page, the overarching story of Leonid's redemption and his complicated family life carries over directly from book to book. For the best experience, you should read them in order.

What is the correct order to read the Leonid McGill series?

The recommended order is to start with the prequel short story "Karma" (optional), followed by the novels: The Long Fall , Known to Evil , When the Thrill Is Gone , All I Did Was Shoot My Man , And Sometimes I Wonder About You , and finally Trouble Is What I Do .

Where does the short story "Karma" fit in?

Chronologically, "Karma" takes place before the first novel, The Long Fall . It is a prequel that explains Leonid's decision to leave his corrupt past behind. You can read it first as an introduction or later as a backstory.

Is Leonid McGill related to Easy Rawlins?

No, they are separate characters who exist in different timelines and locations. Easy Rawlins operates in mid-20th-century Los Angeles, while Leonid McGill operates in modern-day New York City. Both are created by author Walter Mosley and share themes of black identity and morality.

Will there be a seventh Leonid McGill book?

As of 2026, Walter Mosley has not published or announced a seventh novel in the series. The latest book is Trouble Is What I Do , which was released in 2020.

Leonid McGill Books in Order

How to Read the Leonid McGill Series

If you want to experience the complete arc of Walter Mosley's modern PI masterpiece, the recommended path is simple: follow the publication order. Because the books feature a continuous narrative detailing Leonid McGill’s slow, painful transformation from a corrupt, mob-adjacent 'fixer' into an honest private investigator, reading them out of sequence will spoil the rich development of his personal life, family dynamics, and professional redemption.

However, there is one small wrinkle: the short story "Karma". Originally published in 2005, this piece serves as a direct prequel to the series, capturing the exact turning point when Leonid decides to go straight. You can read it first as a prologue or circle back to it after you have gotten a feel for the character.

The Recommended Reading Order

"Karma" (2005 short story / prequel) – Optional but highly recommended starting point for chronological purists. It introduces Leonid just as he decides to stop taking dirty money.
The Long Fall (2009) – The official first novel. Leonid attempts to go straight, only to be dragged back by a conspiracy that targets four men he was hired to track.
Known to Evil (2010) – Leonid is hired by a powerful, shadowy figure to locate a missing woman, leading him straight into a murder investigation that threatens his new life.
When the Thrill Is Gone (2011) – A complex case involving an eccentric billionaire’s wife forces Leonid to confront the reality of high-society deception while his home life begins to unravel.
All I Did Was Shoot My Man (2012) – Leonid takes on a case to prove the innocence of a woman accused of murder, while his own family faces devastating betrayals.
And Sometimes I Wonder About You (2015) – Faced with a toxic mix of an heiress in trouble and his son’s descent into danger, Leonid must navigate the ultimate test of loyalty.
Trouble Is What I Do (2020) – The latest novel. Leonid is hired by an elderly bluesman to deliver a letter that could upend a wealthy family's legacy, putting him in the crosshairs of a ruthless assassin.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the Leonid McGill series, chronological order and publication order are nearly identical. The only exception is the short story "Karma", which takes place prior to the events of The Long Fall.

While "Karma" was published first in 2005 (in the anthology Dangerous Women), the first full-length novel, The Long Fall, did not arrive until 2009. If you prefer to watch Leonid’s transition in real-time, starting with the prequel is best. If you prefer to jump straight into a full-scale novel, start with The Long Fall and read "Karma" later as a flashback.

The Cases of Leonid McGill: A Book-by-Book Breakdown

"Karma" (2005)

First published in the 2005 anthology Dangerous Women edited by Otto Penzler, "Karma" is a crucial piece of the puzzle. It presents Leonid McGill at his lowest point morally—working as a corrupt fixer who ruins lives for the right price. A sudden encounter and a crisis of conscience force him to reevaluate his life, setting the stage for his quest for redemption that fuels the rest of the series.

The Long Fall (2009)

In his first novel-length outing, Leonid is fifty-three years old and trying to build a legitimate private investigation business. But his past isn't done with him. Hired to locate four men, Leonid soon realizes he has been set up to lead an assassin directly to them. To save himself and what remains of his soul, he must unravel the conspiracy before it's too late.

Known to Evil (2010)

Leonid’s reputation is growing, but so is the target on his back. When he is hired by a powerful and dangerous fixer named rogue to find a young woman named Marie, Leonid finds himself in the middle of a homicide investigation. The case forces him to navigate the deepest underbellies of New York’s criminal network while managing his increasingly chaotic household.

When the Thrill Is Gone (2011)

Leonid is approached by a woman who claims her husband, a billionaire, is trying to kill her. Leonid accepts the case despite his instincts warning him otherwise. At the same time, his wife Celeste’s mental health deteriorates, and his relationships with his children are tested to their limits, proving that the threats inside his home are just as volatile as the ones on the street.

All I Did Was Shoot My Man (2012)

Zola Kahn spent years in prison for a heist she claims she didn't commit. Now free, she wants Leonid to find the man who framed her. The search takes Leonid into a web of high-stakes corporate greed and old street grudges. Meanwhile, Leonid’s personal life hits a breaking point when a devastating secret about his family’s lineage is brought to light.

And Sometimes I Wonder About You (2015)

In this installment, Leonid is juggling multiple crises. Professionally, he is hired to protect a wealthy heiress, which leads him into conflict with a criminal empire. Personally, his son Twill is getting involved in a dangerous street ring, forcing Leonid to use all his old fixer tricks to keep his family alive.

Trouble Is What I Do (2020)

In the most recent novel, Leonid is hired by a ninety-two-year-old bluesman named Bobby Card. Bobby wants Leonid to deliver a message to a young heiress, revealing that she is of mixed-race heritage—a truth that the girl's bigoted and powerful grandfather will do anything to keep quiet. Leonid must protect the girl and himself from a cold-blooded killer hired to silence them.

What to Know Before You Start

Unlike Walter Mosley's iconic Easy Rawlins series, which is set in historical mid-20th-century Los Angeles, the Leonid McGill series is firmly rooted in contemporary New York City. McGill uses cell phones, navigates modern databases, and deals with the gentrification and shifting demographics of 21st-century Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Additionally, the family dynamics in this series are incredibly complex. Leonid is married to Celeste, but their relationship is highly dysfunctional, filled with infidelity, resentment, and deep-seated codependency. Leonid supports three children, though he is the biological father of only one. The slow-burning drama of this unconventional family is just as compelling as the detective work, making it essential to read the books in order to appreciate how these relationships evolve over time.