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The Red Book
James Patterson

The Red Book

Quick Answer

Read "The Red Book" as the 2nd book in the Black Book Thriller Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Black Book" (Book 1)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

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

Verdict Insight: As the 2nd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2021400 pp
Detective Billy Harney’s reputation as a dirty cop may be the only thing keeping Chicago clean in this thrilling novel from the world’s #1 bestselling author.​ For Detective Billy Harney, getting shot in the head, stalked by a state’s attorney, and accused of murder by his fellow cops is a normal week on the job. So when a drive-by shooting on the Chicago's west side turns political, he leads the way to a quick solve. But Harney's instincts—his father was once chief of detectives and his twin sister, Patti, is also on the force—run deep. As a population hungry for justice threatens to riot, he realizes that the three known victims are hardly the only casualties. When Harney starts asking questions about who's to blame, the easy answers prove to be the wrong ones. On the flip side, the less he seems to know, the longer he can keep his clandestine investigation going ... until Harney's quest to expose the evil that's rotting the city from the inside out takes him to the one place he vowed never to return: his own troubled past.

Series Order Complete! 🎉

You have reached the latest record for this series guide.

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 Black Book Thriller 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 Red Book?

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

Can I read The Red Book before The Black Book?

No. We recommend reading The Black Book first. The Red Book is the 2th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Red Book required reading for the Black Book Thriller Series?

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

What comes after The Red Book in the reading order?

Currently, The Red Book is the latest entry listed in our database for this series guide.