Short Series & Standalones (Specific)
Reading Order.
Start Short Series & Standalones (Specific) by James Patterson with "Murder Games - Part 1", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Short series or isolated novels and novellas that fall outside the main thriller and YA series groupings.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 5 main titles released between 2017 and 2016. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "Murder Games - Part 1"
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 community is divided on the methodological validity of the compiled list's specific ranking, as many original contributors stated they did not order their submissions carefully. However, there is strong agreement that the list itself, especially the top entries, is a comprehensive, high-quality resource representative of the subreddit's recommended standalones and short series."
Do not follow the list's numerical ranking strictly, as the order is contested. Instead, use the list as a general resource of proven quality. High-priority recommendations explicitly mentioned as urgent reads include *The Sign of the Dragon* and *The Other Valley*. Other highly praised titles include *The Reformatory*, *Annihilation*, *Chain-Gang*, and *A Memory Called Empire*.
At a Glance
- First Book:Murder Games - Part 1
- Latest Book:Doc Savage 2
- Timeline:2017 - 2016
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Short Series & Standalones (Specific) 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 Short Series & Standalones (Specific). 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 "Murder Games - Part 1" 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 "Short Series & Standalones (Specific)" 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 Short Series & Standalones (Specific) 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 Short Series & Standalones (Specific)?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Murder Games - Part 1" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.
Can I read Short Series & Standalones (Specific) 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 Short Series & Standalones (Specific) 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.