George V. Higgins

1939–1999

1 series 4 books in order 1 standalone book

George V. Higgins was an American author, lawyer, newspaper columnist, raconteur, and college professor. He wrote more than thirty books, including Bomber's Law, Trust, and Kennedy for the Defense. He is best known for his bestselling crime novels, particularly The Friends of Eddie Coyle, which established the Boston noir genre of gangster tales. This genre influenced several popular films by later writers and filmmakers.

Born: 1939
Known for: Jerry Kennedy Series

Series by George V. Higgins

Jerry Kennedy Series

3 books in order · 1985–1992

Kennedy for the Defense

Year unknown · George V. Higgins

A masterwork of crime and black comedy, George V. Higgins is in his element as he spell-bindingly recounts lawyer Jerry Kennedy’s more fragrant…
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Penance for Jerry Kennedy

1985 · George V. Higgins

A fast-paced, witty and authentic novel that transports the reader into the exhilarating world of crime and chicanery that defines the life of Boston…
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Defending Billy Ryan

1992 · George V. Higgins

Jerry Kennedy, a defense attorney in Boston, takes on the case of Billy Ryan, the longtime commissioner of Public Works, who is facing legal trouble…
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Standalone books

The friends of Eddie Coyle

1972
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Frequently asked questions

How many books has George V. Higgins written?

We list 4 books by George V. Higgins across 1 series, published between 1972–1992 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read George V. Higgins's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “Kennedy for the Defense.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy George V. Higgins's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.