Joe Leland books in order

The Joe Leland series by Roderick Thorp follows a New York detective across two novels, the second of which became the basis for the film Die Hard.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Detective 1966 Roderick Thorp Buy
2 Die Hard 1979 Roderick Thorp N/A
3 Nothing Lasts Forever / Die Hard 1979 Roderick Thorp Buy

The Joe Leland series by Roderick Thorp is listed below in reading order.

Joe Leland is a New York detective introduced in The Detective (1966), a crime novel that was adapted into a 1968 film with Frank Sinatra. Nothing Lasts Forever (1979) is the sequel, placing an older Leland in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a terrorist takeover. That novel became the basis for Die Hard (1988). Read The Detective first for the character’s backstory, then Nothing Lasts Forever for the story that became one of the biggest action films ever made.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Joe Leland series?

There are three books in the Joe Leland series, published between 1966 and 1979.

What is the first book in the Joe Leland series?

The first book in the Joe Leland series is The Detective, published in 1966.

How did the Joe Leland books lead to Die Hard?

The Detective (1966) introduced retired NYPD detective Joe Leland and was filmed with Frank Sinatra in 1968. Nothing Lasts Forever (1979) puts an older Leland in a skyscraper hostage situation. When Sinatra declined to reprise the role for a film version, the project was reworked as Die Hard (1988) with Bruce Willis.

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