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Agent Pendergast Books in Order.

Authorby Douglas Preston
23 Entries
Quick Answer

Start with Relic (1995) and read in publication order. The books can be read alone, but the Diogenes (books 5-7) and Helen (books 10-12) story arcs are best read in sequence.

The complete reading order for the Agent Pendergast series by Douglas Preston. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Where to start

Start with Relic (1995) and read in publication order. The books can be read alone, but the Diogenes (books 5-7) and Helen (books 10-12) story arcs are best read in sequence.

  • •Relic (1995) and Reliquary (1997) form a connected pair about the Museum of Natural History murders; Pendergast appears in both but is not yet the central character.
  • •Brimstone, Dance of Death and The Book of the Dead (books 5-7) are the Diogenes trilogy; Fever Dream, Cold Vengeance and Two Graves (books 10-12) are the Helen trilogy.
  • •Pendergast: The Beginning (2026) is a prequel set in the early 1990s, before Relic. It is placed last in publication order and first in the Chronological view.
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Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order23 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Relic

Pub: 1995
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2

Reliquary

Pub: 1997
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Relic".

3

The Cabinet of Curiosities

Pub: 2002
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Reliquary".

4

Still Life with Crows

Pub: 2003
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Cabinet of Curiosities".

5

Brimstone

Pub: 2004
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Still Life with Crows".

6

Dance of Death

Pub: 2005
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Brimstone".

7

The Book of the Dead

Pub: 2006
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Dance of Death".

8

The Wheel of Darkness

Pub: 2007
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Book of the Dead".

9

Cemetery Dance

Pub: 2009
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Wheel of Darkness".

10

Fever Dream

Pub: 2010
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Cemetery Dance".

11

Cold Vengeance

Pub: 2011
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Fever Dream".

12

Two Graves

Pub: 2012
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Cold Vengeance".

13

White Fire

Pub: 2013
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Two Graves".

14

Blue Labyrinth

Pub: 2014
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Plot details hidden until you finish "White Fire".

15

Crimson Shore

Pub: 2015
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Blue Labyrinth".

16

The Obsidian Chamber

Pub: 2016
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Crimson Shore".

17

City of Endless Night

Pub: 2018
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Obsidian Chamber".

18

Verses for the Dead

Pub: 2018
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Plot details hidden until you finish "City of Endless Night".

19

Crooked River

Pub: 2020
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Verses for the Dead".

20

Bloodless

Pub: 2021
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Crooked River".

21

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

Pub: 2023
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Bloodless".

22

Angel of Vengeance

Pub: 2024
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng".

23

Pendergast: The Beginning

Pub: 2026
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Angel of Vengeance".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read Agent Pendergast in?

Start with Relic (1995) and read in publication order. The books can be read alone, but the Diogenes (books 5-7) and Helen (books 10-12) story arcs are best read in sequence.

How many books are in Agent Pendergast?

22 main books, published 1995–2024, plus 1 side story.

Can I read Agent Pendergast out of order?

It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.

Which books in Agent Pendergast are prequels, novellas or side stories?

"Pendergast: The Beginning" (prequel). Each is placed in the reading order below.

Is there a chronological order for Agent Pendergast?

Yes. In story order the series begins with "Pendergast: The Beginning" rather than "Relic". Switch the list below to Chronological to see the full timeline.