Where to Start Reading Con Lehane
Con Lehane's crime fiction is deeply rooted in the working-class struggles, hidden corners, and local establishments of New York City. He has written two main series, each featuring a distinct style of amateur detective, alongside a newer historical mystery. Depending on your preference for mystery subgenres, there are two ideal entry points:
- For fans of classic, cerebral cozy-adjacent procedurals and atmospheric library settings: Start with Murder at the 42nd Street Library (2016). This introduces Raymond Ambler, a curator of crime fiction who operates within the grand, historic walls of the New York Public Library. It is Lehane's most widely read and highly acclaimed series.
- For fans of gritty, hard-boiled, noir-infused crime: Start with Beware the Solitary Drinker (2002). This kicks off the Brian McNulty series, starring a weary but sharp-witted bartender who solves crimes that intersect with New York’s late-night barrooms and complex union politics.
The 42nd Street Library Mystery Series
In this series, curator Raymond Ambler investigates murders that frequently touch upon the literary world, archival secrets, and the social issues of New York City. The series is best read in order of publication, as Ambler’s personal life, family history, and relationships with colleagues evolve continuously across the books.
1. Murder at the 42nd Street Library (2016)
We meet Raymond Ambler, curator of the library’s crime fiction collection. When a prominent researcher is shot dead in the library's reading room, Ambler finds himself drawn into a web of blackmail, academic rivalry, and long-buried secrets that extend far beyond the library walls.
2. Murder in the Manuscript Room (2017)
Ambler assists his colleague, who is accused of murdering a young woman found dead in the library's basement manuscript room. The investigation forces Ambler to confront corruption within the NYPD and the dark history of the library itself.
3. Murder Off the Page (2019)
When a young woman researching a legendary, vanished poet is murdered, Ambler takes it upon himself to complete her investigation. The trail leads him into the NYC theater scene and the dark underbelly of the publishing world.
4. Murder by Definition (2022)
Ambler receives a mysterious package containing an unpublished manuscript by a deceased author, which seems to detail a real-life unsolved murder. To find the truth, he must delve into the author’s complex past and the literary estate they left behind.5. Murder at the College Library (2024)
Taking a brief detour from the 42nd Street Library, Ambler takes a temporary position at a university library, only to find himself embroiled in academic politics and a murder mystery involving a contentious collection of papers.
6. Murder in the Reading Room (2026)
The sixth and final book in the series. Ambler investigates the murder of a visiting professor who was researching suspicious accidental deaths. Ambler must clear his own name when he is named a primary suspect by the police.
The Brian McNulty Mystery Series
Drawing on the author's real-life experiences working as a bartender and union organizer, this series features Brian McNulty, a bartender at various New York City establishments who has a knack for getting mixed up in murder, union disputes, and organized crime. The series should be read in publication order to track McNulty's career shifts and relationships.
1. Beware the Solitary Drinker (2002)
McNulty is a bartender at a popular Midtown Manhattan watering hole. When a regular patron is found dead, McNulty’s casual interest turns into a full-scale investigation as he tries to shield his friends and colleagues from suspicion.
2. What Goes Around Comes Around (2005)
McNulty investigates when a body is pulled from the East River. The case drags him into the gritty world of union politics, labor disputes, and corporate greed, highlighting the struggle of the working class.
3. Death at the Old Hotel (2007)
Set against the backdrop of labor disputes at the historic Savoy Hotel, McNulty is pulled into a conspiracy involving union corruption, mob influence, and multiple murders.
Historical Mysteries & Standalones
Lehane has also ventured into historical noir with a new investigator, which can be read independently of his other series.
The Red Scare Murders (2025)
Set in July 1950 during the height of the anti-communist witch hunts. The novel introduces Mick Mulligan, a blacklisted former Hollywood cartoonist who works as a private investigator in Hell's Kitchen. Mulligan is hired to clear the name of an African American union organizer sentenced to death for the murder of his boss, weaving real-world political tension and noir style into a historical thriller.
What to Know Before You Start
Con Lehane's work is characterized by its authenticity. Unlike many amateur sleuths who feel detached from their environment, Lehane’s protagonists are deeply embedded in their occupations. Raymond Ambler's investigations rely heavily on research, archival records, and literary knowledge, giving the 42nd Street Library series a cerebral, steady-paced rhythm. In contrast, the Brian McNulty novels are faster-paced, written with a sharp, cynical, but ultimately warm-hearted tone that reflects the late-night rhythms of New York bar life. Reading both series provides a fascinating double-look at the same city through very different lenses.