Charles Williams Standalone Novels books in order

Reading order

Charles Williams (1909-1975) published his first novel in 1951 and kept writing through the 1950s and into the 1960s at a steady pace, producing standalone thrillers that are now recognised as some of the finest examples of mid-century American noir. His protagonists are usually ordinary men who make one bad decision and find themselves pulled into situations they cannot escape, and Williams is unsparing about showing how quickly a life can come apart.

Several of his books have nautical settings (Scorpion Reef, The Sailcloth Shroud, And the Deep Blue Sea) reflecting his lifelong interest in sailing. Others are set in small Southern towns where heat and boredom and desire produce volatile combinations. The Hot Spot, perhaps his most famous title, was filmed in 1990 with Don Johnson and Jennifer Connelly. A Touch of Death is another frequently cited example of his skill at building dread in a confined setting.

The sixteen books listed here are all standalones, which means you can start anywhere. The early 1950s books are where most readers begin, but the novels from any decade hold up well. Williams’s prose is economical and direct, and readers who enjoy Jim Thompson, John D. MacDonald, or early James M. Cain will find him immediately recognisable.