Leopold Blake Books in Order

Where to Start with Leopold Blake?

If you are diving into Nick Stephenson's fast-paced, action-packed world of Leopold Blake, you might wonder where to begin. The author designed this series to be highly accessible and largely order-agnostic. Each novel functions as a self-contained mystery with its own distinct investigation, global setting, and resolution. This means you can pick up almost any book in the series and enjoy a complete, satisfying story without feeling lost.

However, for the best reading experience, starting with either the prequel novella or the official first novel is highly recommended. Beginning with Paydown (the prequel) allows you to witness the initial spark of the team's dynamic. Alternatively, starting with Wanted (Book 1) gives you the first full-length, high-stakes adventure where the core characters are fully established. Following the chronological order helps you appreciate the subtle character development and evolving relationships between Leopold Blake, Detective Mary Jordan, and bodyguard Jerome.

Leopold Blake Books in Chronological (Recommended) Order

For readers who want to follow Leopold Blake's journey as it unfolds in the characters' lives, the chronological order is the most satisfying path. This sequence lists the prequel first, followed by the numbered novels:

• Paydown (Book 0.5) (2013) – Set in New York, this prequel novella introduces readers to Leopold Blake before he officially joins forces with his usual team. When a high-profile case involving a dirty cop triggers a massive city-wide manhunt, Blake is drawn into the line of fire. It is a quick, intense read that sets the stage for the rest of the series.
• Wanted (Book 1) (2013) – Set against the glittering backdrop of Paris, this is the first full-length novel. Blake finds himself framed for a high-profile murder he did not commit. With both the local police and a crew of ruthless assassins hot on his trail, Blake must run, hide, and use every ounce of his intelligence to clear his name.
• Panic (Book 2) (2013) – Returning to New York, Blake tackles a web of political corruption. A series of high-level political assassinations threatens to tear the city apart. As Blake and NYPD Detective Mary Jordan dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top—making them targets of a powerful and invisible enemy.
• Departed (Book 3) (2013) – The action shifts across the Atlantic to London. A copycat serial killer is terrorizing the city, recreating historic murders. Blake returns to his old stomping grounds in the United Kingdom to hunt the killer, but the investigation forces him to confront ghosts from his own past.
• Ratio (Book 4) (2014) – Set in Seattle, this installment is co-authored with Kay Hadashi. It serves as a crossover event, introducing June Kato (the protagonist of Hadashi's "June Kato Intrigues" series). Blake and Kato team up to untangle a complex conspiracy involving corporate greed, deadly betrayals, and Yakuza syndicates.
• Fallen (Book 5) (2014) – This novel pushes the team to their absolute limits. When a massive conspiracy threatens to destroy everything they have built, Blake's long-time ally, NYPD Detective Mary Jordan, has to step into the spotlight and take on a much more prominent role to keep them all alive.
• Broken (Book 6) (2016) – Co-authored with Gordon Hopkins and set primarily in the UK, this is the final installment of the series. A highly trained sniper is targeting key public figures, throwing the country into chaos. To stop the assassin, Blake must navigate incredibly dark territory, testing his morals and survival instincts like never before.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While the chronological order listed above is the author's suggested reading sequence, the actual publication dates tell a slightly different story. Because Nick Stephenson released several books in rapid succession in 2013, early bibliographic databases sometimes list the books in a different order. For example, Panic is often listed as the first published novel, with Wanted and Departed following shortly after. The prequel novella, Paydown, was also released around the same time to build the author's mailing list and introduce the characters to new fans.

If you prefer to read the books in the exact order they were released to the public, the order is as follows:

1. Panic (2013)
2. Departed (2013)
3. Wanted (2013)
4. Paydown (2013)
5. Ratio (2014)
6. Fallen (2014)
7. Broken (2016)

Despite the slight variation in release dates, reading in chronological order (starting with Wanted or Paydown) is widely considered the superior path because it keeps character arcs and locations logically consistent.

Crossovers, Co-Authors, and Team-ups

Nick Stephenson expanded the Leopold Blake universe by collaborating with other thriller writers, adding fresh dynamics to the series. The first notable collaboration is Ratio (Book 4), co-authored with Kay Hadashi. This book acts as a crossover with Hadashi's June Kato Intrigues series, blending Blake's cerebral, rule-bending FBI consulting style with June Kato's sharp-witted investigative skills. The partnership brings a unique clash of personalities and adds a distinct West Coast flavor to the series as they operate in Seattle.

The second collaboration is Broken (Book 6), co-authored with Gordon Hopkins. Hopkins brought a darker, grit-filled edge to the story, resulting in a tense, high-stakes military-style thriller focused on a rogue sniper. This entry is notably darker than the earlier books and serves as a dramatic conclusion to Blake's adventures.

What to Know Before You Start

Before jumping into the series, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, Leopold Blake is not a traditional hard-boiled, blue-collar detective. He is a wealthy, witty, and occasionally arrogant criminology consultant who works closely with the FBI. If you enjoy the intellect of Sherlock Holmes combined with the fast-paced, high-stakes action of Lee Child's Jack Reacher or Dan Brown's Robert Langdon, you will feel right at home here.

Second, the core appeal of the books lies in the team dynamic. While Leopold Blake is the focal point, he would not survive long without NYPD Detective Mary Jordan's street-smart police instincts and Jerome's stoic, deadly bodyguard skills. Their banter and mutual loyalty provide the emotional anchor for the entire series.