Don Winslow Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Don Winslow

For readers new to Don Winslow's signature blend of high-stakes tension and meticulous real-world research, choosing the first book can be a challenge. Because his works range from epic trilogies to breezy surf-mysteries, your ideal starting point depends on your preferred flavor of crime fiction:

• For the Epic Crime Fan: Start with The Power of the Dog (2005). This is the first book in his acclaimed Cartel Trilogy, widely considered his magnum opus. It provides a brutal, sprawling, and deeply researched look into the U.S.-Mexico war on drugs spanning several decades.
• For the Classic Mob/Mafia Fan: Start with City on Fire (2021). The first volume of his Danny Ryan Trilogy, this series transposes the themes of classic Greek epics (like the Iliad) to the gritty streets of mid-century New England, tracing a bloody war between Irish and Italian syndicates.
• For a Quick Standalone Thriller: Start with The Force (2017) or The Winter of Frankie Machine (2006). The former is a modern, dark look at police corruption in New York City, while the latter is a fast-paced, highly cinematic tale of a retired mob hitman forced back into the game.
• For a Lighter, Sun-Drenched Read: Start with The Dawn Patrol (2008), the first of the Boone Daniels books, which showcases Winslow's love for Southern California surf culture mixed with private investigation work.

The Cartel Trilogy (The Power of the Dog Series)

If you want to experience Winslow at his most ambitious and unflinching, this trilogy is essential. It is a massive, multi-decade chronicle of the war on drugs, tracing the lives of DEA agent Art Keller and cartel kingpin Adán Barrera. You must read these books in strict publication order, as the story builds directly on the events and tragedies of the preceding volumes:

1. The Power of the Dog (2005) – Establishes the origins of the conflict from the 1970s through the late 1990s.
2. The Cartel (2015) – Covers the escalation of violence and the internal battles for dominance within the drug trade from 2004 to 2014.
3. The Border (2019) – Concludes the saga as the war spreads to the streets of America and the halls of political power.

The Danny Ryan Trilogy (Rhode Island Mob Saga)

Winslow's final major trilogy is a sweeping criminal epic set in Rhode Island and later Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Inspired by classic literature, it tells the story of Danny Ryan as he rises from a low-level muscle worker to a powerful crime boss. Read these in order to follow Danny's complete character arc:

1. City on Fire (2021) – Explores the spark of a turf war between rival Irish and Italian mobs in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1986.
2. City of Dreams (2023) – Follows Danny as a fugitive in California, trying to rebuild his life while being drawn back into the criminal underworld.
3. City in Ruins (2024) – Concludes the story with Danny now a wealthy Las Vegas businessman facing threats from his past and new rivals.

The Savages Series: Publication vs. Chronological Order

The Savages books focus on two young marijuana growers, Ben and Chon, and their shared girlfriend, O. When a Mexican cartel attempts to muscle in on their operation, things turn violent. Unlike his other series, this duology offers two distinct reading options:

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the story's initial impact before diving into the background of how the characters formed their unique bond.

1. Savages (2010)
2. The Kings of Cool (2012)

Option 2: Chronological Order

Because the second book is a prequel, reading chronologically gives you the origin story first, leading directly into the events of the original novel.

1. The Kings of Cool (2012) – Prequel detailing the characters' backstories in the Southern California drug scene during the 1990s and 2000s.
2. Savages (2010) – The main story set in the late 2000s.

The Neal Carey Mysteries

Written early in Winslow's career, this five-book series features Neal Carey, a young investigator working for a mysterious organization called the Friends of the Family. These books are lighter in tone than Winslow's later drug-war epics and are best read in publication order:

1. A Cool Breeze on the Underground (1991)
2. The Trail to Buddha's Mirror (1992)
3. Way Down on the High Lonely (1993)
4. A Long Walk Up the Water Slide (1994)
5. While Drowning in the Desert (1996)

The Boone Daniels Series (Surf Noir)

Set in San Diego, this series revolves around Boone Daniels, a former cop turned private investigator who prioritizes catching the morning waves over catching criminals. The series consists of two books:

1. The Dawn Patrol (2008)
2. The Gentlemen's Hour (2009)

Standalone Novels and Companion Works

Winslow has written several standalone crime novels that do not require prior reading. However, there are a few notable connections and details to keep in mind:

• Satori (2011): This novel is an authorized prequel to Trevanian's classic 1979 thriller, Shibumi. It features the legendary assassin Nicholaï Hel and is set in 1951. You do not need to read Shibumi first, but doing so will enhance your appreciation of Winslow's prequel.
• The Winter of Frankie Machine (2006): A fan-favorite novel about Frankie Mentone, a retired mafia hitman in San Diego who runs a bait shop but is forced back into action when his past catches up to him.
• The Force (2017): A gritty, contemporary police procedural following Denny Malone, an elite but corrupt NYPD detective. It is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of urban police work.
• Other Standalones: Isle of Joy (1996), The Death and Life of Bobby Z (1997), California Fire and Life (1999), and Missing: New York (2014) are all completely self-contained thrillers.

Short Stories and Novellas

Winslow has published one major short story collection, Broken (2020), which contains six novellas focusing on themes of crime, corruption, and justice. Several of these stories, such as Crime 101, have been released or optioned as individual digital releases or standalone novellas in subsequent years.