Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate policy

Standalone Books in Order

12
Books
1976
First Book
2011
Latest Book
36
Years

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: March 2026

Quick Answer

What order should I read the Standalone series? Start with "The Great Pebble Affair" (1976) and follow publication order through all 12 books.

The complete Standalone reading order is listed below in publication sequence.

Publication Order

1
The Great Pebble Affair cover

The Great Pebble Affair

Buy on Amazon

1976

2
Catch the Wind cover

Catch the Wind

Buy on Amazon

1980

3
Steeltown cover

Steeltown

Buy on Amazon

1988

4
White Flame cover

White Flame

Buy on Amazon

1990

5
River of Darkness / The Nature of the Game cover

River of Darkness / The Nature of the Game

Buy on Amazon

1991

6
Thunder cover

Thunder

Buy on Amazon

1994

7
City of Shadows (As: James Dalton) cover

City of Shadows (As: James Dalton)

Buy on Amazon

2000

8
Mad Dogs cover

Mad Dogs

Buy on Amazon

2006

9
This Train cover

This Train

Buy on Amazon

2022

10
The Smoke in Our Eyes cover

The Smoke in Our Eyes

Buy on Amazon

2024

11
American Sky cover

American Sky

Buy on Amazon

2025

12
This Given Sky cover

This Given Sky

Buy on Amazon

2011

Affiliate Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, Reading Order Books earns from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain the site and continue providing reading order guides. Read our full disclosure