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The Private Down Under
James Patterson

The Private Down Under

Quick Answer

"The Private Down Under" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Private Series.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

âť“ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Verdict Insight: While this short_story provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

Is this helpful?
20231 ppShort StoryOptional Side Story
The employees of the Sydney, Australia office of the investigation company Private are celebrating their office's incorporation when a bloody young man staggers into the building and the agency's caseload suddenly fills up.
Next Recommended Book

Private Moscow

Book #12 of 18 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 Private Series 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 The Private Down Under?

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Can I read The Private Down Under before Private Rio?

Yes. The Private Down Under is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is The Private Down Under required reading for the Private Series?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after The Private Down Under in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Private Down Under is Private Moscow (Book #12).