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Standalone Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Standalone books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Standalone series? Start with "A Shock to the System" (1984) and follow publication order through all 14 books.
The complete Standalone reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
A Shock to the System
1984
Dead Romantic
1986
After Henry
1987
The Booker Book
1989
The Christmas Crimes at Puzzel Manor
1992
Singled Out
1995
The Penultimate Chance Saloon
2006
Heavenly Bodies
1997
Ways to Kill a Cat
1997
Method Murder
2013
Tickled to Death
1985
A Box of Tricks
1985
Crime Writers and Other Animals
1998
A Crime in Rhyme and Other Mysterious Fragments
2000
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