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Philip Marlowe Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Philip Marlowe 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 Philip Marlowe series? Start with "The Big Sleep (By: Raymond Chandler)" (1939) and follow publication order through all 13 books.
The complete Philip Marlowe reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
The Big Sleep (By: Raymond Chandler)
1939
Farewell, My Lovely (By: Raymond Chandler)
1940
The High Window (By: Raymond Chandler)
1942
The Lady in the Lake (By: Raymond Chandler)
1943
The Little Sister (By: Raymond Chandler)
1949
The Long Goodbye (By: Raymond Chandler)
1953
Playback (By: Raymond Chandler)
1958
Poodle Springs (By: Robert B. Parker,Raymond Chandler)
1989
Perchance to Dream (By: Robert B. Parker)
1991
The Black-Eyed Blonde / Marlowe (By: Benjamin Black)
2014
Only to Sleep (By: Lawrence Osborne)
2018
The Goodbye Coast
2022
The Second Murderer (By: Denise Mina)
2023
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