Allen Eskens Books in Order

Allen Eskens is an American crime fiction and thriller author, winner of the Barry Award, Minnesota Book Award, Left Coast Crime Award, and Silver Falchion Award, and a finalist for the Edgar, Thriller, Anthony, and Nero Awards. A former criminal defense attorney who practiced law in Minnesota for 25 years, he brings direct courtroom experience and legal authenticity to his novels. His books have been translated into over 20 languages.

This page lists all Allen Eskens books in order, including the Joe Talbert, Max Rupert, and Lila Nash series, standalone novels, and the interconnected characters that link them, organized by publication order and chronological order where applicable.

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Joe Talbert Series (Books in Order)

The Joe Talbert series follows University of Minnesota student Joe Talbert, who begins investigating a dying convicted murderer for a college assignment and finds himself drawn into cases that test everything he believes about justice and innocence. Based on Allen Eskens’ background as a criminal defense attorney, the series balances well-structured plotting with genuine moral complexity.

Reading Order

  1. The Life We Bury, 2014
  2. The Shadows We Hide, 2018
  3. The Stolen Hours, 2021

Max Rupert Series (Books in Order)

The Max Rupert series follows Minneapolis homicide detective Max Rupert, who was first introduced in the Joe Talbert books, who is prevalent in several of the author’s interconnected novels. Rupert is a compelling figure: methodical, haunted, and operating in the grey zones of justice that Allen Eskens knows well from his years in criminal law.

Reading Order

  1. The Life We Bury, 2014
  2. The Guise of Another, 2015
  3. The Heavens May Fall, 2016
  4. The Deep Dark Descending, 2017
  5. The Shadows We Hide, 2018
  6. Forsaken Country, 2022

Lila Nash Series (Books in Order)

The Lila Nash series follows Joe Talbert’s neighbour Lila Nash, first introduced in the Joe Talbert books, as she completes law school and becomes a prosecutor, taking on violent crimes against women from the other side of the justice system. It is a natural spin-off that stands strongly on its own.

Reading Order

  1. The Stolen Hours, 2021

Standalone Novels

Allen Eskens Biography

Allen Eskens author

Allen Eskens is an American crime novelist focusing on legal thrillers, and former attorney.
Official website: alleneskens.com

Allen Eskens was born and raised in central Missouri. He attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City and part-time he worked for a drywall contractor. 

In 1986, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he got his BA in journalism, and then he got a Master’s degree from Minnesota State University, followed by a Juris Doctorate degree in law at Hamline University in 1991..d a law degree from Hamline University.

After working as a practicing criminal defense attorney for several years, Allen Eskens left his law career to write novels full-time.

His debut novel, The Life We Bury, was published in 2014, and it features Joe Talbert, a University of Minnesota student. His background as a journalist and lawyer have influenced his writing.

Awards and Honors

Awards

  • The Life We Bury – Barry Award for Best Paperback Original novel (2015)
  • The Life We Bury – Left Coast Crime Award (Rosebud Award) for Best Debut Novel (2015)
  • The Heavens May Fall – Silver Falchion Award for Best First Novel (2017)
  • The Deep Dark Descending – Barry Award for Best Paperback Original (2018)

Nominations and Shortlists

  • The Life We Bury – Anthony Award for Best First Novel (2015)
  • The Life We Bury – Edgar Award for Best First Novel (2015)
  • The Life We Bury – Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction (2015)
  • The Life We Bury – Thriller Award for Best First Novel (2015)
  • The Heavens May Fall – Barry Awards Best Paperback Original novel (2017)
  • The Heavens May Fall – Barry Award for Best Paperback Original (2017)
  • The Shadows We Hide – Barry Award for Best Novel (2019)

Edited by

Marika

Founder of Mystery Sequels, a reference site focused on listing mystery and thriller books in the correct reading order. I maintain and update the site’s bibliographies as new titles are released, ensuring accuracy and consistency across author and series pages.

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22 Comments

  1. I am “hooked” on these books: the characters, the suspense. Am looking forward to finishing reading the others and any new books by Mr. Eskens.

  2. I just finished reading a ‘SAMPLE’ of the first book “The Life We Bury” on my IPad, and it very much captured my interest and Allen Eskens style of writing, I was hoping to read it as an e-book, but could only find it in paperback to purchase. I have read books growing up and started reading at a young age to avoid my life. Now I read for the pure pleasure of it. I’ve always read hard cover or paperback books, but since I’m elderly, it’s much easier for me to read books on my IPad. Will there ever come a time where Mr Eskens books will be published electronically? I see a movie of this book is available on Netflix, although I prefer reading a book. I hope Mr Eskens will consider it. Till then, I hope the movie follows the book closely, as I’m dying to know what happens and how it ends. I’m sure I will be reading all his books. They seem very captivating. Also, I read my books several times, especially my favorites. Thank you, I hope he will consider it.

    1. Cheryl Burns- use your library card with the app called Libby. The app & audiobooks are free! The library can help you do this also. Thats how I’m listening to The Life We Bury now. 🙂

    2. I joined Audibles a year ago, and having always read hardcover books, or Kindle…I love listening to my books.. almost at the end of ” The Life we Bury”…..loved this book and look forward to reading all of this talented author…I pay $16 a month for “Audibles “, and every month have a free credit to buy any book- no matter the price….a very large number of the books are free with my membership….I listen in my car, on my cell, and on my Android tablet….maybe you would enjoy books this way as well…

    3. Libby and Hoopla are both free apps through your local library that you can download onto your ipad. My mom has always been an avid reader but her eyesight has failed. She thoroughly enjoys listening to books through both of these apps.

  3. Your books are my favorite, and I can’t wait until your next new release. I have read Baldacci, LL Abbott, Patterson, Grisham, Louise Penny, Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, Grippando and your stories are intriguing, suspenseful and and heart warming you have the touch on that. Bravo keep it going and again can’t wait until your next release, just finishing “Forsaken Country.” Wow!! Another winner.

  4. Does Allen have a new book he is working on? Love this author!!

  5. Better than Kellerman, Cornwall and Child combined. The new kid on the block, Allen Eskens, transcends them all. The intelligent, flawless plots, great characterisation and edginess left me wanting more from this author. Keep ’em coming please Allen.

  6. I am now addicted to Allen Eskens books. I love his writing!

  7. I grew up in a small town in Minnesota (population 200) where there was not much to do but go to school and study and pass the time by reading. Much has changed in my life in 90 plus years bu tI still love to read (my favorite passtime) and a year or so ago reading that you were now living in Minnesota I read The Life We Bury and The Shadows We Hide. I
    am now going to order your other five books; they all sound equally interesting. Please do more as I am a fan for two reasons you live in Minnesota and you are an excellent author. I am envious, I have not lived in Minn. for over 60 years but still consider it home and I cannot write.

  8. @David Hanson The Path of the Beast was a tentative title. The actual released title became The Guise of Another, the author’s second book.
    You can read more about it here: allen-eskens.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-writing-process-blog-tour-thank-you.html

  9. What happened to the book “The Path of the Beast”? I can’t find it on Mr. Eskens list of books on his web site and it due out in the fall of 2015. Please advise. Thank you.

    1. I just finished reading The Life We Bury which I got from a ‘little library’ on a street in my neighborhood. I thought it was very well written and kept my interest. I am ready to read more of his novels.

      I too wondered about the ‘follow up novel tentatively titled In the Path of the Beast’ which was ‘slated for publication in the fall of 2015’.

  10. Just finished “The Life we Bury”. Can’t wait to read the other four. Took me a day and a half to rip through the first…
    spellbinding.. literally couldn’t put it down, except to sleep Keep them coming.

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