Where Should You Start Reading Claude Bouchard?
For most readers diving into the suspenseful world of Claude Bouchard, the best place to start is with the original debut novel, Vigilante (2009). This introduces the main storyline, the setting of Montreal, and the core dynamic between Dave McCall (head of the Special Homicide Task Force) and computer security specialist Chris Barry. Starting here gives you the perfect introduction to the moral complexity and high-stakes tension of the series.
However, if you prefer a strict chronological progression, you can start with the prequel novella, The First Sixteen (2014). This novella details the background stories of the first sixteen targets who fell to the Montreal vigilante before the events of the first book. Because it reveals details that clarify the vigilante's motivations, some readers find it highly satisfying to read first, while others prefer to read it in publication order (around Book 9) as a retrospective look at the origins of the chaos.
The Vigilante Series: Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Claude Bouchard's crown jewel is the Vigilante series. It follows Chris Barry and Dave McCall as they navigate Montreal's criminal underbelly and deal with an elusive killer who takes extreme, extrajudicial measures against violent offenders. The series consists of 16 primary works, including crossovers and prequel novellas. Below are the two recommended ways to read the series.
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order allows you to experience the characters and their evolving relationships exactly as the author wrote them. It also allows you to enjoy the growth in Bouchard's writing style and his response to contemporary topics over time.
- Vigilante (2009)
- The Consultant (2009)
- Mind Games (2009)
- The Homeless Killer (2009)
- 6 Hours 42 Minutes (2011)
- Discreet Activities (2012)
- Femme Fatale (2013)
- Thirteen to None (2013)
- The First Sixteen (2014) — Prequel novella
- See You in Saigon (2014)
- Sins in the Sun (2015)
- Getting Even (2016)
- Make it Happen (2017)
- The Nephew (2018)
- Nasty in Nice (2018) — JET Crossover novella
- The Paradise Piracy (2020)
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer to watch the vigilante's path unfold from the very beginning, follow this order. The primary change is moving the prequel novella to the very start of your reading list.
- The First Sixteen (2014) — Prequel
- Vigilante (2009)
- The Consultant (2009)
- Mind Games (2009)
- The Homeless Killer (2009)
- 6 Hours 42 Minutes (2011)
- Discreet Activities (2012)
- Femme Fatale (2013)
- Thirteen to None (2013)
- See You in Saigon (2014)
- Sins in the Sun (2015)
- Getting Even (2016)
- Make it Happen (2017)
- The Nephew (2018)
- Nasty in Nice (2018)
- The Paradise Piracy (2020)
Understanding Key Series Elements and Crossovers
Bouchard’s series is notable for its fast pace, snappy dialogue, and dark humor. The author has crafted a shared world that occasionally steps outside of Montreal to explore international intrigue, including crossovers with other notable thriller writers.
The JET Crossover: Nasty in Nice
One of the most unique entries in the Vigilante lineup is Nasty in Nice. Originally published in 2015 as part of Kindle Worlds—a licensing program that allowed authors to write in each other's universes—this novella is a high-octane crossover with Russell Blake’s bestselling JET series. The story brings Bouchard's Montreal characters to the French Riviera, where they cross paths with Blake's lethal protagonist, Maya (JET). After the Kindle Worlds platform shut down, Bouchard revised the story and released it as a standalone entry within his own series list, making it easily accessible for fans of both franchises.
Standalone Novels and Parodies
While the Vigilante series is his main focus, Claude Bouchard has written other projects that showcase his versatility:
- ASYLUM (2011): A standalone psychological thriller. It follows Dr. Matthew Russell, the Managing Director of the Montreal Hospital for the Criminally Insane, who takes an impromptu family vacation to try to save his failing marriage, only to find himself in a completely different kind of nightmare.
- Something's Cooking (2012): Written under the playful double pseudonyms Réal E. Hotte and Dasha Sugah, this is a humorous cookbook and faux-erotica parody. Bouchard wrote it as a joke with friends to poke fun at the simultaneous popularity of cooking guides and erotica on major bestseller lists. While the stories use suggestive kitchen metaphors, there is no actual explicit content.
What to Know Before You Start
Claude Bouchard began writing Vigilante in 1995, inspired by his frustrations with real-world legal systems and the media coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. However, he kept the manuscript shelved until 2009, when the rise of digital self-publishing allowed him to release his work independently. Since then, he has distributed over 650,000 copies, hitting the USA Today Bestseller list as part of collaborative thriller box sets.
Readers should expect a strong Canadian flavor, with Montreal serving as a vivid character in its own right. The books balance gritty violence with banter, and while they can technically be read as standalone thrillers, the character arcs and overarching plot lines are highly interconnected, making a sequential read-through the most rewarding experience.