Womens Murder Club Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, you should read the Women's Murder Club series in chronological order. Because the characters—homicide detective Lindsay Boxer, medical examiner Claire Washburn, reporter Cindy Thomas, and attorney Yuki Castellano—grow, marry, have children, and face major life shifts, reading the books in order allows you to follow their personal journeys alongside the mystery cases. Here is the complete list, including the BookShots novellas placed in their proper chronological slots:

1. 1st to Die (2001)
2. 2nd Chance (2002) - with Andrew Gross
3. 3rd Degree (2004) - with Andrew Gross
4. 4th of July (2005) - with Maxine Paetro
5. The 5th Horseman (2006) - with Maxine Paetro
6. The 6th Target (2007) - with Maxine Paetro
7. 7th Heaven (2008) - with Maxine Paetro
8. The 8th Confession (2009) - with Maxine Paetro
9. The 9th Judgment (2010) - with Maxine Paetro
10. 10th Anniversary (2011) - with Maxine Paetro
11. 11th Hour (2012) - with Maxine Paetro
12. 12th of Never (2013) - with Maxine Paetro
13. Unlucky 13 (2014) - with Maxine Paetro
14. 14th Deadly Sin (2015) - with Maxine Paetro
15. 15th Affair (2016) - with Maxine Paetro
16. The Trial (BookShots Novella #15.5) (2016) - with Maxine Paetro
17. 16th Seduction (2017) - with Maxine Paetro
18. The Medical Examiner (BookShots Novella #16.5) (2017) - with Maxine Paetro
19. The 17th Suspect (2018) - with Maxine Paetro
20. The 18th Abduction (2019) - with Maxine Paetro
21. The 19th Christmas (2019) - with Maxine Paetro
22. The 20th Victim (2020) - with Maxine Paetro
23. 21st Birthday (2021) - with Maxine Paetro
24. 22 Seconds (2022) - with Maxine Paetro
25. The 23rd Midnight (2023) - with Maxine Paetro
26. 23 1/2 Lies (BookShots Novella #23.5) (2023) - with Maxine Paetro
27. The 24th Hour (2024) - with Maxine Paetro
28. 25 Alive (2025) - with Maxine Paetro
29. 26 Beauties (2026) - with Maxine Paetro

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Unlike some crime series with convoluted timelines, the publication order of the Women's Murder Club matches its internal chronological order. Patterson releases one major novel per year, following a linear timeline. The only minor exceptions are the three BookShots novellas (The Trial, The Medical Examiner, and 23 1/2 Lies) which fit neatly as half-steps between the numbered entries.

The Role of Co-Authors

While James Patterson launched the series solo with 1st to Die, he has relied on co-authors to maintain its fast-paced style. Andrew Gross co-wrote books 2 and 3, establishing the tight thriller pacing early on. Since 4th of July, Maxine Paetro has co-authored every main novel and novella, becoming the driving creative voice behind the series' signature blend of personal relationships, San Francisco atmosphere, and procedural drama.

Tie-ins and Adaptations

In 2007, ABC adapted the books into a short-lived television series starring Angie Harmon as Lindsay Boxer. While the TV series retained the names and occupations of the central characters, it changed many of their personal dynamics and key storylines. The franchise also expanded into a series of casual PC hidden-object games, including Death in Scarlet, which allowed players to join the characters in solving crimes.

What to Know Before You Start

Expect quick, breezy reads. Patterson's signature style relies on short chapters, cliffhangers, and multiple parallel subplots that converge at the end. While the criminal cases are self-contained within each book, the personal lives of Lindsay, Cindy, Claire, and Yuki are deeply continuous. If you skip too far ahead, you will miss out on key moments like marriages, health crises, career promotions, and major relationship developments.