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Dortmunder Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Dortmunder books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: March 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Dortmunder series? Start with "The Hot Rock" (1970) and follow publication order through all 15 books.
The complete Dortmunder reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order

The Hot Rock
1970

Bank Shot
1972

Jimmy The Kid
1974

Nobody's Perfect
1977

Why Me?
1983

Good Behavior
1985

Drowned Hopes
1990

Don't Ask
1993

What's The Worst That Could Happen?
1996

Bad News
2001

The Road To Ruin
2004

Thieves' Dozen
2004

Watch Your Back!
2005

What's So Funny?
2007

Get Real
2009
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