King and Maxwell
Reading Order.
Start King and Maxwell by David Baldacci with "Split Second", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
A crime novel series by David Baldacci featuring two main protagonists, former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 6 main titles released between 2003 and 2013. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "Split Second"
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.
Community Consensus
"The provided Reddit comments do not contain any discussion, recommendations, or information regarding the "King and Maxwell" reading order. The comments focus heavily on other series, particularly Discworld (recommending starting points like Mort, Guards, Guards, Witches Abroad, or Going Postal instead of The Color of Magic), The Locked Tomb (Gideon, Harrow, Nona the Ninth), and general reading lists/Bingo cards."
No advice regarding "King and Maxwell" can be extracted from these comments.
At a Glance
- First Book:Split Second
- Latest Book:King And Maxwell
- Timeline:2003 - 2013
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for King and Maxwell 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 King and Maxwell. 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 "Split Second" 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.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "King and Maxwell" 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.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the King and Maxwell 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 King and Maxwell?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Split Second" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as David Baldacci intended.
Can I read King and Maxwell 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 King and Maxwell 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.