BookPath
Mistress
James Patterson

Mistress

Quick Answer

Read "Mistress" as the 18th book in the Standalone Novels sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Kill And Tell" (Book 17)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 18th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2023288 pp
"Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his racing thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: movies, motorcycles, presidential trivia-and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have. When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life. Ben soon discovers that the woman he pined for was hiding a shocking double life. And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs" -- from publisher's web site.
Next Recommended Book

The Boy From The Woods

Book #18 of 524 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Novels conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Mistress?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Mistress before Kill And Tell?

No. We recommend reading Kill And Tell first. Mistress is the 18th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Mistress required reading for the Standalone Novels?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Mistress in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Mistress is The Boy From The Woods (Book #18).