Hannibal Lecter Books in Order

Thomas Harris's quartet of psychological thrillers following the brilliant cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, from his pursuit by FBI investigators to his own dark origins. The series spans serial-killer manhunts, the unforgettable bond with agent Clarice Starling, and a prequel tracing Lecter's traumatic youth.

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of Red Dragon

    Red Dragon

    1981 · Thomas Harris

    Retired FBI profiler Will Graham, who once captured the cannibalistic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter at great personal cost, is coaxed back into…

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  2. Cover of The Silence of the Lambs

    The Silence of the Lambs

    1988 · Thomas Harris

    Ambitious FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview the brilliant, imprisoned cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter, hoping his insight will help…

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  3. Cover of Hannibal

    Hannibal

    1999 · Thomas Harris

    Years after escaping custody, Hannibal Lecter is living in hiding in Florence under a new identity, while a hideously disfigured surviving victim…

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  4. Cover of Hannibal Rising

    Hannibal Rising

    2006 · Thomas Harris

    This origin story follows young Hannibal Lecter from his aristocratic childhood in Lithuania through the brutal devastation of World War II, where a…

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Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Hannibal Lecter books in?

Publication order — Widely recommended by readers and booksellers (e.g. bookseriesinorder.com); reflects how the character is gradually revealed Start with “Red Dragon.”

How many books are in the Hannibal Lecter series?

We list 4 books by Thomas Harris , published between 1981–2006.

Where can I buy the Hannibal Lecter books?

Each title above links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.