Can the Jason Kolarich books be read as standalones?

While the legal cases in each book are self-contained, Jason Kolarich's personal life, emotional trauma, and character development progress significantly across the series. It is best to read them in order starting with The Hidden Man .

Which David Ellis book won the Edgar Award?

His debut novel, Line of Vision (published in 2001), won the 2002 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.

What is the relationship between The Coldest Case and the Black Book series?

The Coldest Case (2021) was released as an Audible Original multi-cast audio drama prequel starring Aaron Paul. It acts as a prequel to the events of The Black Book (2017).

Are Lies He Told Me and The Best Lies connected?

No. While both were published in 2024, The Best Lies is a solo standalone thriller by David Ellis about a pathological liar named Leo Balanoff, while Lies He Told Me is a standalone thriller co-authored with James Patterson.

Does David Ellis base his books on his real court cases?

While he does not directly copy real cases, his deep background as an Illinois Appellate Court Justice and prosecutor provides the realistic legal strategy, procedural authenticity, and Chicago settings featured throughout his work.

David Ellis Books in Order

Recommended Starting Point: Where to Begin?

If you are new to David Ellis, your best starting point depends on whether you prefer deep, slow-burn legal procedurals or fast-paced, action-oriented suspense. For fans of authentic courtroom chess matches, we recommend starting with The Hidden Man (2009), which kicks off the Jason Kolarich series. This book showcases Ellis's insider knowledge of the Chicago legal system. If you prefer high-intensity, blockbuster-style page-turners, start with The Black Book (2017), the highly successful thriller he co-authored with James Patterson.

For readers who love mind-bending standalone puzzles, the absolute must-read is Look Closer (2022). It is a solo standalone masterclass in unreliable narration and intricate plotting that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Jason Kolarich Series Reading Order

The Jason Kolarich series follows a brilliant but deeply flawed Chicago defense attorney who fights for justice while battling his own personal demons and addictions. This series has a continuous narrative arc regarding Jason's family history and personal relationships, so it is highly recommended to read them in publication order:

The Hidden Man (2009) - Jason defends a childhood friend accused of murdering the man who killed Jason's brother years ago.
Breach of Trust (2011) - Kolarich is pulled into a high-stakes conspiracy involving political corruption and bribery at the highest levels of Illinois government.
The Wrong Man (2012) - A complex case of murder and frame-ups puts Jason in the crosshairs of an elusive and brilliant psychopath.
The Last Alibi (2013) - Jason is hired to defend a client accused of multiple murders, only to suspect he is being used as a pawn in a deadly setup.

Collaborations with James Patterson

David Ellis is one of James Patterson's most frequent and successful co-authors. Together, they have written standalone thrillers as well as two popular series. When reading these, be prepared for Patterson's signature fast-paced chapters and cliffhangers combined with Ellis's authentic legal and criminal details.

The Black Book (Billy Harney) Series

This series follows Chicago Detective Billy Harney as he investigates high-profile, dangerous crimes in the Windy City. While there is a specific audio-only prequel, the core series should be read as follows:

The Black Book (2017) - The initial blockbuster where Harney investigates a high-end Chicago brothel and a double murder that hits close to home.
The Coldest Case (2021) - Note that this was released as an Audible Original audio drama prequel featuring a full cast (including Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter) rather than a traditional print novel.
The Red Book (2021) - The direct follow-up novel to The Black Book, where Harney faces a conspiracy inside the Chicago Police Department.
Escape (2022) - Harney goes on the run to protect his family and clear his name when a dangerous operations team targets him.

The Invisible Series

This series stars Emmy Dockery, an FBI research analyst who searches for links between seemingly unrelated accidental deaths, alongside FBI field agent Harrison "Books" Bookman.

Invisible (2014)
Unsolved (2019)

Patterson Standalone Collaborations

If you want to read their standalone projects, they can be read in any order:

Guilty Wives (2012)
Mistress (2013)
The Murder House (2015)
Lies He Told Me (2024)

David Ellis Solo Standalone Novels

Before and between his series, Ellis has written critically acclaimed standalone legal thrillers. His debut novel, Line of Vision, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 2002 and is an excellent showcase of his talent for crafting twisty courtroom dramas.

Line of Vision (2001)
Life Sentence (2003)
Jury of One (2004)
In the Company of Liars (2005)
Eye of the Beholder (2007)
Look Closer (2022)
The Best Lies (2024)

What to Know Before You Start

David Ellis is a real-life legal expert. He served as the prosecutor in the high-profile impeachment trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in 2009. In 2014, he was sworn in as the youngest-serving Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. His writing routine is legendary: he wakes up at 3:30 AM to write until 7:00 AM before heading to court to handle his judicial duties.

Because of this, his solo novels tend to feature much more realistic legal maneuvers and court procedures than standard thrillers. However, when working with Patterson, the style leans closer to rapid-fire suspense. Knowing this distinction helps set expectations depending on which book you pick up first.