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Jack McEvoy Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Michael Connelly
3 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Jack McEvoy Series by Michael Connelly with "The Poet", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The series follows Jack McEvoy, a crime reporter who frequently becomes entangled in the murders he is covering.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Poet"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium/High Debate

"The consensus centers on identifying the foundational texts of the fantasy genre. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is repeatedly identified as the necessary starting point ('the grand-daddy') and the series that 'kickstarted the genre.' The next tier of essential reading includes major epics that modernized the genre, specifically The Wheel of Time ('THE sprawling epic') and Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (cited as crucial for leading to our current state of fantasy). Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea and Glen Cook's Black Company are also highly cited as foundational texts influencing prose and grimdark, respectively."

Key Reddit Advice

The mandatory foundational reading order starts with 1. The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit. Following this, the community highly recommends exploring the core pillars of post-Tolkien epic fantasy, typically starting with either 2a. The Wheel of Time, or 2b. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. For those seeking highly acclaimed modern series, The Broken Earth Trilogy and The Lies of Locke Lamora are consistently recommended.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Jack McEvoy 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.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Jack McEvoy Series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Poet" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Jack McEvoy Series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "The Poet"Explore all by Michael Connelly

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

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

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order3 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.
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1

The Poet

Pub: 2018

National Book Award and Golden Kite Award Honor Winner!Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing New York Times-bestselling novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.“Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice.” —Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation“An incredibly potent debut.” —Jason Reynolds, author of the National Book Award Finalist Ghost“Acevedo has amplified the voices of girls en el barrio who are equal parts goddess, saint, warrior, and hero.” —Ibi Zoboi, author of American Street

2

The Scarecrow

Pub: 2009

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Poet".

Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paperto write the definitive murder story of his career. He focuses on Alonzo Winslow, a 16-year-old drug dealer in jail after confessing to a brutal murder. But as he delves into the story, Jack realizes that Winslow's so-called confession is bogus. The kid might actually be innocent. Jack is soon running with his biggest story since The Poetmade his career years ago. He is tracking a killer who operates completely below police radar--and with perfect knowledge of any move against him. Including Jack's. Bonus materials include an in-depth interview with the author about writing "The Scarecrow" along with his exciting travel photos-plus a link to an online promotional video and links within the text to a fictitious website based on the novel and a teaser chapter from his next book, "Nine Dragons."

3

Fair Warning

Pub: 2020

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Scarecrow".

The hero of The Poet and The Scarecrow is back in this thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly. Jack McEvoy, the journalist who never backs down, tracks a serial killer who has been operating completely under the radar—until now.  Veteran reporter Jack McEvoy has taken down killers before, but when a woman he had a one-night stand with is murdered in a particularly brutal way, McEvoy realizes he might be facing a criminal mind unlike any he's ever encountered. Jack investigates—against the warnings of the police and his own editor—and makes a shocking discovery that connects the crime to other mysterious deaths across the country. Undetected by law enforcement, a vicious killer has been hunting women, using genetic data to select and stalk his targets. Uncovering the murkiest corners of the dark web, Jack races to find and protect the last source who can lead him to his quarry. But the killer has already chosen his next target, and he's ready to strike. Terrifying and unputdownable, Fair Warning shows once again why "Michael Connelly has earned his place in the pantheon of great crime fiction writers" (Chicago Sun-Times). A Kirkus Best Book of 2020

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Jack McEvoy Series series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Jack McEvoy Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Poet" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Michael Connelly intended.

Can I read Jack McEvoy Series books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Jack McEvoy Series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.