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John Cardinal Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of John Cardinal 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 John Cardinal series? Start with "Forty Words for Sorrow" (2000) and follow publication order through all 6 books.
The complete John Cardinal reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
Forty Words for Sorrow
2000
The Delicate Storm
2003
Black Fly Season
2005
By the Time You Read This / The Fields of Grief
2006
Crime Machine
2010
Until the Night
2012
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