Postcard Killers Series
Reading Order.
Start Postcard Killers Series by James Patterson with "Postcard Killers", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Detective Jacob Kanon hunts for murderers who announce their crimes by sending postcards to journalists.
Short Answer:
Start with "Postcard Killers"
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 highest consensus recommendations are Riyria Revelations (for fast, enjoyable, classic adventure fantasy) and Lightbringer (for complex, well-executed magic systems and similarity to Brandon Sanderson's style). First Law is strongly recommended for character development, but readers are warned about its darker tone and potential slow start. If the reader is currently enjoying Raymond Feist's Riftwar series, the Empire Trilogy (by Feist and Wurts) is unanimously recommended as the next specific step."
For the fastest and most enjoyable reading experience, start with Riyria. If you prefer high-concept magic systems, Lightbringer is the best fit. If you are looking for a massive, difficult, but potentially rewarding series, proceed with caution into Malazan or Wheel of Time.
At a Glance
- First Book:Postcard Killers
- Latest Book:Postcard Killers
- Timeline:2010 - 2010
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Postcard Killers 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 Postcard Killers 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 "Postcard Killers" 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 "Postcard Killers 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 Postcard Killers 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 Postcard Killers Series?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Postcard Killers" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.
Can I read Postcard Killers 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 Postcard Killers 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.