NYPD Red Series
Reading Order.
Start NYPD Red Series by James Patterson with "NYPD Red", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
NYPD Red is an elite task force assigned to protect the city's most powerful, famous, and richest citizens.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 6 main titles released between 2012 and 2020. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "NYPD Red"
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 series discussed (The Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio, not NYPD Red) is highly controversial and polarizing. Those who stick with the series read it sequentially, reporting that the later books (up to Book 5, Ashes of Man) are the strongest. However, many readers dropped the series early (after Book 2 or Book 4) due to criticisms concerning the lack of character growth in the protagonist (Hadrian), perceived plagiarism of scenes/dialogue from other Sci-Fi/Fantasy classics (Dune, Book of the New Sun), and lack of realistic world evolution over thousands of years."
The series should be read in chronological order, starting with the first book (Empire of Silence). No alternative reading order or skipping of books is advised, as the narrative is massive and sprawling.
At a Glance
- First Book:NYPD Red
- Latest Book:Nypd Red 6
- Timeline:2012 - 2020
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for NYPD Red 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 NYPD Red 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 "NYPD Red" 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 "NYPD Red 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.
Complete Series Reading Order
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Is it okay to skip books in the NYPD Red 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 NYPD Red Series?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "NYPD Red" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.
Can I read NYPD Red 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 NYPD Red 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.