John Francis Cuddy books in order

Q: "How many books are in the John Francis Cuddy series?"

"There are thirteen books in the John Francis Cuddy series, published between 1984 and 1999."

Q: "What is the first book in the John Francis Cuddy series?"

"The first book in the John Francis Cuddy series is Blunt Darts, published in 1984."

Q: "What is the best book to start the John Francis Cuddy series?"

"Blunt Darts (1984) is the natural starting point and won the Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. It introduces Cuddy, establishes his character and his method of talking to his dead wife at her graveside, and sets the tone for the rest of the series."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Blunt Darts	1984	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
2	The Staked Goat / The Tethered Goat	1986	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
3	So Like Sleep	1987	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
4	Swan Dive	1988	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
5	Yesterday’s News	1989	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
6	Right to Die	1991	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
7	Shallow Graves	1992	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
8	Foursome	1993	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
9	Act of God	1994	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
10	Rescue	1995	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
11	Invasion of Privacy	1996	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
12	The Only Good Lawyer	1998	John Francis Cuddy	Buy
13	Spiral	1999	John Francis Cuddy	Buy

The John Francis Cuddy novels follow a Boston PI through 13 cases spanning from Blunt Darts in 1984 to Spiral in 1999. Cuddy is a classic PI character with a few distinguishing traits: he is a Vietnam veteran, he lives in Boston, and he regularly visits his late wife’s grave to talk through his problems.

The series captures Boston in the 1980s and 1990s with the specificity that comes from an author who knows the city well. Each novel is a self-contained case, but the character development across the series gives long-term readers additional rewards. Blunt Darts won the Shamus Award for Best First Private Eye Novel, establishing the series with critical recognition from the start.

The later books in the series deal with an evolving Boston as the city changes around Cuddy. His methods remain old-school throughout, relying on shoe leather and personal connections rather than technology, which gives the series a particular texture that feels both nostalgic and grounded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the John Francis Cuddy series?

There are thirteen books in the John Francis Cuddy series, published between 1984 and 1999.

What is the first book in the John Francis Cuddy series?

The first book in the John Francis Cuddy series is Blunt Darts, published in 1984.

What is the best book to start the John Francis Cuddy series?

Blunt Darts (1984) is the natural starting point and won the Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. It introduces Cuddy, establishes his character and his method of talking to his dead wife at her graveside, and sets the tone for the rest of the series.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order