Lew Archer Books in Order

fictional character

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of The Moving Target

    The Moving Target

    1949 · Ross Macdonald

    The Moving Target is a 1949 book by Ross Macdonald. It is part of the series Lew Archer. Catalog genres: Crime Fiction, Mystery Fiction, Literary…

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  2. The Drowning Pool

    1950 · Ross Macdonald

    The Drowning Pool is a 1950 mystery novel by Ross Macdonald, written under the name John Ross Macdonald. It is the second book in the Lew Archer…

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  3. The Way Some People Die

    1951 · Ross Macdonald

    The Way Some People Die is a 1951 detective mystery written by Ross Macdonald under the pseudonym John Ross Macdonald. It is the third book in the…

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  4. Cover of The Doomsters (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

    The Doomsters (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

    1958 · Ross Macdonald

    The Doomsters (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) is a 1958 book by Ross Macdonald. It is part of the series Lew Archer. Catalog genres: Crime Fiction,…

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  5. Cover of Sleeping Beauty

    Sleeping Beauty

    1973 · Ross Macdonald

    Lew Archer, a private detective, investigates an oil spill along the Southern California coast. He uncovers the involvement of a powerful oil dynasty…

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Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Lew Archer books in?

Read them in publication order, starting with “The Moving Target”. Start with “The Moving Target.”

How many books are in the Lew Archer series?

We list 5 books by Ross Macdonald , published between 1949–1973.

Where can I buy the Lew Archer books?

Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.

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