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Inspector Chen Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Inspector Chen 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 Inspector Chen series? Start with "Death of a Red Heroine" (2000) and follow publication order through all 16 books.
The complete Inspector Chen reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
Death of a Red Heroine
2000
A Loyal Character Dancer
2002
When Red is Black
2004
A Case of Two Cities
2006
Red Mandarin Dress
2007
The Mao Case
2009
Don't Cry, Tai Lake
2012
Enigma of China
2013
Shanghai Redemption
2014
Hold Your Breath, China
2020
Becoming Inspector Chen
2021
Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder
2021
Love and Murder in the Time of Covid
2023
Poems of Inspector Chen
2016
Inspector Chen and Me
2018
The Secret Sharers (With: Xiaolong Qiu)
2026
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