David Baldacci Books In Order – Complete List

Last Updated on April 18, 2024

David Baldacci is a New York Times bestselling author of crime thrillers in series and standalone novels known for his fast-paced, page-turning plots, and complex, life-like characters.

Here is the list of the David Baldacci books in order of publication for his book series, standalone novels, novellas, short stories, anthologies, and nonfiction books.

Latest David Baldacci Books

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Sean King Michelle Maxwell Books in Order of Publication

Camel Club Books in Order of Publication

Shaw Books in Order of Publication

John Puller Books in Order of Publication

Will Robie Books in Order of Publication

  1. The Innocent, 2012
  2. The Hit, 2013
  3.  Bullseye, 2014 (novella)
  4. The Target, 2014
  5. The Guilty, 2015
  6. End Game, 2017

Amos Decker Books in Order of Publication

Walk the Wire has prominent characters from the Will Robie series, thus it’s recommended to read this book after End Game.

Atlee Pine Books in Order of Publication

Vega Jane Books in Order of Publication

  1. The Finisher aka Vega Jane and the Secrets of Sorcery, 2014
  2. The Keeper (aka Vega Jane and the Maze of Monsters, 2015
  3.  The Width of the World aka Vega Jane and the Rebels’ Revolt, 2017
  4. The Stars Below  aka Vega Jane and the End of Time, 2019

Aloysius Archer Books in Order of Publication

Travis Devine Books in Order of Publication

aka The 6:20 Man Books

Freddy and the French Fries Books in Order of Publication

Novellas and Short Stories in Order of Publication

  1. No Time Left, 2012
  2. Bullseye, 2014 (novella)
  3. The Final Play, 2021 (formerly published as The Mighty Johns)

Standalone Novels in Order of Publication

  1. Absolute Power, 1996
  2. Total Control, 1997
  3. The Winner, 1998
  4. The Simple Truth, 1999
  5. Saving Faith, 2000
  6. Wish You Well, 2001
  7. Last Man Standing, 2001
  8. The Christmas Train, 2001
  9. True Blue, 2009
  10. One Summer, 2011
  11. No Rest For the Dead, 2011 (with Jeff Abbott, Sandra Brown, Thomas H Cook, Jeff Lindsay, Diana Gabaldon, Tess Gerritsen, Andrew F Gulli, Lamia Gulli, Peter JamesJ A Jance, Faye Kellerman, Raymond KhouryJohn Lescroart, Gayle Lynds, Alexander McCall Smith, Phillip Margolin, Michael Palmer, T Jefferson Parker, Matthew Pearl, Kathy Reichs, Marcus Sakey, Jonathan SantloferLisa Scottoline, R L Stine, and Marcia Talley)
  12. Simply Lies, 2023
  13. A Calamity of Souls, 2024

Series The Author Contributed To

39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Books

Short Story Collections and Anthologies in Order of Publication

Non-Fiction Books

David Baldacci Biography

David Baldacci books in order

Bestselling author David Baldacci was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1960. He grew up in a family of readers, which shaped his future direction in life. His mother was a librarian, and his father was a book collector. This way, he spent numerous hours at the local library, reading whatever he could from authors like Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and other classic crime mystery writers.

After he finished high school at Henrico High School, he wrote several shorter stories. However, he could not make a living from these, so he decided to continue his studies. Thus, he went to college, where he studied political science at Virginia Commonwealth University and law at the University of Virginia.

After graduation, he became a lawyer, working in Washington D.C. for several years. Still, he could not forget his passion for writing, so during this time, he spent his evenings and weekends writing stories. Eventually, he published his first book, Absolute Power, in 1966. After the book became a bestseller, it was adapted into a movie with Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman.

King and Maxwell

Since then, the author wrote numerous novels, many of which became international bestsellers. David Baldacci’s books touch different genres, such as crime thrillers, spy novels, legal mysteries, historical fiction, and young adult novels. Some of David Baldacci’s most popular series feature Secret Service agents turned private investigators King and Maxwell, extraordinary detective Amos Decker, government assassin Will Robie, FBI Agent Atlee Pine, and military investigator John Puller.

So far, the author has written well over 60 books, including three children’s books, novellas, shorter stories, and a non-fiction book. Among these, there are currently around 50 novels for adults. His novels have sold over 150 million copies around the world, and they have been translated into some 40 languages.

In addition, he is a philanthropist who uses his fame as an author to give back to the community. For example, he founded the Wish You Well Foundation with his wife. This is a foundation that supports literacy in underprivileged communities. he has also been a board member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and he can be seen speaking on various platforms to advocate for various humane causes.

Over the years, he has received several awards and nominations for David Baldacci’s books, including the International Thriller Writers’ ThrillerMaster Award and the Library of Virginia’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Fiction. In 2024 he was selected as the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion, which “recognizes a lifetime of devoted literary advocacy and a commitment to inspiring new generations of readers and writers.”

The author’s latest thriller is A Calamity of Souls, published in 2024.

What Are the Top 10 David Baldacci Books?

Having read all the David Baldacci novels both in series and standalones, and after researching forums, groups, and various online lists, here are some of the best David Baldacci books voted by readers alike. The lists is regardless of which series the book is in.

If you haven’t read any Baldacci book yet, these are some of the best you can add to your list to get started with.

  • The Innocent – When Robbie, one of the best American hitmen, is assigned a new kill target, he feels something is fishy and doesn’t take the shot. Thus, he becomes a target for others himself.
  • Absolute Power – In the author’s very first book, when a professional cat burglar witnesses a murder that involves the president, he comes across an incriminating evidence that makes him the target of a clandestine manhunt by top government officials.
  • The Camel Club – The group of 4 members is dedicated to studying conspiracy theories surrounding current events in order to figure out the truth. While doing so, they witness a murder that gets them mixed up in a wider conspiracy.
  • The Winner – LuAnn Tyler, a beautiful but poor mother is offered a $100 million lottery jackpot. She takes it because she needs to take care of her daughter. But with it comes the bad part. She has to leave the country forever using a new identity.
  • Total Control – Sidney Archer is living the dream life until her husband’s plane crashes in Virginia and he disappears. Now she has to uncover the mystery behind the crash. Was it an accident or something else more sinister is going on?
  • Split Second – When Secret Service Agent Michelle Maxwell loses the presidential candidate she has to protect, she thinks she made a big mistake. But sean King has a different idea, given his own former “mistake.” What if both “mistakess” are related to a deeper conspiracy?
  • Memory Man – Amos Decker is a former pro athelete turned police detective who not only gets into an accident that leaves him with a perfect memory but also comes across the brutal murder of his family. As an extraordinary detective, using his new ability, he leaves no stone unturned until he uncovers the truth behind it all.
  • A Minute to Midnight – When FBI agent Atlee Pine goes back home with her assistant, Carol Blum, to investigate the earlier kidnapping of her sister, Mercy, she meets a serial killer who has a fondness for ritual killings. The book is a sequel to Long Road to Mercy.
  • The Simple Truth – Rufus Harms, a convict in prison, receives a letter from the army which proves he was actually innocent. Now he is appealing to the Supreme Court, but when his lawyer is murdered, he escapes with his brother’s help. Now on the run, he has to prove his innocence while uncovering a deeper conspiracy.

David Baldacci Awards and Nominations

  • won the International Thriller Writers first ever Silver Bullet Award in 2008
  • received the Literary Lifetime Achievement Award from the Library of Virginia in 2017
  • received the Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award / Specsavers Nielsen Bestseller Award in 2018
  • named as the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion

David Baldacci’s Book Adaptations

Over the years, several David Baldacci novels have been adapted into same-titled movies and TV series. In addition, he has also produced original TV series.

  • Absolute Power – a 1997 movie starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Ed Harris. It is based on Baldacci’s first book.
  • King and Maxwell – a 2013 TV series with Jon Tenney, Ryan Hurst, and Rebecca Romijn. The 10 episode series aired for one season between June 10 and August 12
  • Wish You Well – a 2013 film with Mackenzie Foy, Josh Lucas, and Ellen Burstyn
  • The Christmas Train – a 2017 film with Dermot Mulroney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Danny Glover, and Joan Cusack
  • One Summer – a 2021 TV film with Sam Page, Sarah Drew, and Amanda Schull
  • Gray – a 2023 original TV series with Patricia Clarkson, Rupert Everett, and Wendy Crewson. All 8 episodes of first season aired on September 22

Authors to Check Out If You Like David Baldacci

85 Comments

  1. I am an avid David Baldacci fan. Just finished Simply Lies I have all his books ???? except the Children’s books. Can’t wait for the next one to come out. Have started reading them. Just finished End Games last night. I Love how he does short chapters cause you keep saying one more one more LOL. THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR CHILD DAVID BALDACCI AND HIS WONDERFUL GIFT.

  2. I am a British mystery reader for the most part. Have read many many of them Found this book called the Camel Club by a writer David Baldacci – never heard of him before. Could not put the book down! So am off to read that series now. Then off to read more of David’s books. I have many of his to read which makes me happy. He just captures you from the Git Go. Exciting to find a wonderful new author to read….

  3. I have read over 30 of the great mans books and enjoyed reading them. Don’t know what I will read when i have read them all

  4. I’ve read every Baldacci book and cannot wait for next one. It is like therapy during covid. I read the first one, True Blue, many moons ago while on safari in Namibia. A guest left the book in a camp that we stayed in. What good luck! Here in South Africa every new book is a best-seller.

  5. Thank you for this complete list. I have read nearly all of David Baldacci’s books. In 2019, while visiting my children in England, we were lucky to attend an author luncheon with him. He was a good speaker, as well as a writer.

  6. Should the series books be read in publication order? I’m in the middle of the Memory Man series now (the Fallen) and the Camel Club series came in the mail today. I’m interested in the John Puller series so should I read that series after the camel club series but before the Will Robie series based on publication dates?

    1. I just found this site and LOVE IT— thank you! I, like you, first read Absolute Power. But I read it only a few months ago. I’m now 6-7 books further into Baldacci, but nothing quite reaches the level of AP for me. If you have any suggestions that are similar or as amazing as that one was, let me know! Otherwise I’ll just keep plugging through every standalone book and every series — loving every minute of it. And I’ve now bookmarked your page, thanks again!

  7. True Blue leaves you wishing that Mace will somehow get back on the force and Roy will be right by her side the whole way, but there should be a book about it. Why has the story been left hanging for so long? The book was excellently written, and there is ample material left unresolved that practically demands a sequel. I don’t want more books about characters that have already been a part of several books so far. I want a True Blue sequel up next. (Blue Line? Shades of Blue? Fade to Blue?)

  8. I love his books the Amos Decker series is my favorite so far. Can’t wait for the new one.

  9. Are you finished with JohnPuller. Will Robbie. King and Maxwell…..

  10. I have read everything he has written except the kids books. The books are great and can be read by pretty much anyone. I have really enjoyed the Amos Decker series.

    1. I agree. Especially Baldacci’s Will Robbie series is a must-read! Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

  11. Am a big fan first started reading the will Robbie series then got into the respective john puller an Amos decker series an I could not put them down really addictive page turner just really great books

  12. Absolute Power was the best, it grabbed you and held on to the very end. You can’t help but wait anxiously for his next book, and the best part is that his books are all different, there’s no monotony and lots of surprises!
    Keep up the good work David, we love your books.

  13. As with many others my first Baldacci book was “Absolute Power”, a really great read, I couldn’t put it down. I spent every spare minute reading it and have been hooked ever since.

    Keep on writing David, we love your books!

  14. I have read all of David’s books up to Memory Man, which I thought was the best book written by him, and will read the rest. The Escape was long awaited and overdue, was also a great book. There has NOT been a book by David that has not held my interest from beginning to end. Thank You David Baldacci and keep up the good work.

  15. I have read 17 of Mr. Baldacci’s books. I loved each and every one. I’m starting on Simple Genius and look forward to my time reading. I do agree that if possible to read them in order. I just finished No Man’s Land in the John Puller series. This was a great book, well worth your time.

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