Don Winslow Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Don Winslow books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Don Winslow is an American author who writes great crime and mystery stories. He was born in 1953 in New York. His mom was a librarian and his dad was a cop so he grew up around books and stories. He started telling stories as a kid. He went to the University of Nebraska and studied African history. Then he got a master’s in military history. This helps him make his books feel real and intense. Now he lives in California with his wife Jean and son Thomas. He balances family life with writing a lot.

Before he started writing full time Don had some interesting jobs that helped him tell better stories. He worked in theater in New York and was a private detective. This gave him real experience with crime and investigations which shows up in his books. He’s also done some cool stuff like hiking in China’s Sichuan province and driving in rally races in Kenya. While he was hiking in China he wrote his first book which was nominated for an Edgar Award. These real life experiences help make his stories feel true.

Don’s books are about dangerous drug cartels and the cops who fight them. People like his books because they have lots of research and strong characters. One of his most popular books The Cartel is about a DEA agent named Keller and a drug boss named Adan Barrera. Don mixes real events with made up parts which makes the story feel very real. Another popular book is Savages. It’s about two friends who sell marijuana and get in trouble with a brutal cartel. Savages was even turned into a movie by Oliver Stone so you know his stories are popular.

Writing isn’t a job for Don it’s something he does every day. He edits several books at once and can’t go a few days without writing. He usually starts his mornings editing and then spends hours writing. Besides writing he likes to hike because it helps him relax and get new ideas. Don Winslow’s stories are full of suspense, real problems and deep characters. If you like crime stories that feel real and have heart you should try his books. They’ll pull you into the plot and show you the tough truths behind the news.

Boone Daniels Books in Publication Order

1
The Dawn Patrol

The Dawn Patrol

Don Winslow

2008

2
The Gentlemen's Hour

The Gentlemen's Hour

Don Winslow

2009

Danny Ryan Books in Publication Order

1
City on Fire

City on Fire

Don Winslow

2021

2
City of Dreams

City of Dreams

Don Winslow

2023

3
City in Ruins

City in Ruins

Don Winslow

2024

Neal Carey Books in Publication Order

Savages Books in Publication Order

1
Savages

Savages

Don Winslow

2010

2
The Kings of Cool

The Kings of Cool

Don Winslow

2012

Savages Books in Chronological Order

1
The Kings of Cool

The Kings of Cool

Don Winslow

2012

2
Savages

Savages

Don Winslow

2010

Power Of The Dog Books in Publication Order

1
The Power of the Dog

The Power of the Dog

Don Winslow

2005

2
The Cartel

The Cartel

Don Winslow

2015

3
The Border

The Border

Don Winslow

2019

Standalone Novels in Publication Order

1
Isle of Joy

Isle of Joy

Don Winslow

1996

3
5
Satori

Satori

Don Winslow

2011

6
Missing: New York

Missing: New York

Don Winslow

2014

7
The Force

The Force

Don Winslow

2017

Short Story Collections in Publication Order

1
Broken

Broken

Don Winslow

2020

2
The Final Score

The Final Score

Don Winslow (With: Reed Farrel Coleman)

2026

Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order

1
Looking for a Hero

Looking for a Hero

Don Winslow

2004

Short Stories/Novellas in Publication Order

1
Crime 101

Crime 101

Don Winslow

2021

2
Free Billy

Free Billy

Don Winslow

2022

3
Deep Hole

Deep Hole

Don Winslow

2022

4
The Heron

The Heron

Don Winslow

2022

5
Dietrich

Dietrich

Don Winslow

2024

6
Oregon

Oregon

Don Winslow

2024

7
Downward Facing Doug

Downward Facing Doug

Don Winslow

2024

Akashic Noir Books in Publication Order

1
Phoenix Noir

Phoenix Noir

Don Winslow

2009

2
USA Noir

USA Noir

Don Winslow

2013

Please note: this series includes contributions from other author(s).

Reed Farrel Coleman Short Story Collections in Publication Order

2
The Final Score

The Final Score

Don Winslow (With: Reed Farrel Coleman)

2026

Please note: this series includes contributions from other author(s).

Anthologies in Publication Order

1
On a Raven's Wing

On a Raven's Wing

Don Winslow

2009

2
Phoenix Noir

Phoenix Noir

Don Winslow

2009

3
Hook, Line & Sinister

Hook, Line & Sinister

Don Winslow

2010