John J. Malone books in order

Q: "How many books are in the John J. Malone series?"

"There are sixteen books in the John J. Malone series, published between 1939 and 1967."

Q: "What is the first book in the John J. Malone series?"

"The first book in the John J. Malone series is 8 Faces at 3, published in 1939."

Q: "Do the John J. Malone books need to be read in order?"

"While there is some character development across the series, each book presents a self-contained mystery. You can start with 8 Faces at 3, the first book, or jump in anywhere the plot description interests you."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	8 Faces at 3	1939	Craig Rice	N/A
2	Eight Faces at Three / Death at Three	1939	Craig Rice	Buy
3	The Corpse Steps Out	1940	Craig Rice	Buy
4	The Wrong Murder	1940	Craig Rice	Buy
5	The Right Murder	1941	Craig Rice	Buy
6	Trial by Fury	1941	Craig Rice	Buy
7	The Big Midget Murders	1942	Craig Rice	Buy
8	Having a Wonderful Crime	1943	Craig Rice	Buy
9	The Lucky Stiff	1945	Craig Rice	Buy
10	The Fourth Postman	1948	Craig Rice	Buy
11	The Double Frame / Knocked for a Loop	1957	Craig Rice	Buy
12	My Kingdom for a Hearse	1957	Craig Rice	Buy
13	The Name is Malone	1958	Craig Rice	Buy
14	Murder, Mystery and Malone	1963	Craig Rice	Buy
15	But the Doctor Died	1967	Craig Rice	Buy
16	People vs. Withers & Malone	1963	Craig Rice	Buy

The John J. Malone series is Craig Rice’s best-known body of work. The sixteen books follow Malone, a Chicago defense attorney with a fondness for rye whiskey, as he gets tangled up in murder cases alongside his friends Jake and Helene Justus. The series began with 8 Faces at 3 in 1939 and continued through several posthumous publications, the last appearing in 1967.

Rice’s writing brought a comic sensibility to the murder mystery genre that was rare in the 1940s. Malone is not a polished detective; he is rumpled, frequently broke, and often hungover. The humor comes from his interactions with suspects and his ability to muddle through cases despite himself. The series holds up well for readers who enjoy classic mystery fiction with personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the John J. Malone series?

There are sixteen books in the John J. Malone series, published between 1939 and 1967.

What is the first book in the John J. Malone series?

The first book in the John J. Malone series is 8 Faces at 3, published in 1939.

Do the John J. Malone books need to be read in order?

While there is some character development across the series, each book presents a self-contained mystery. You can start with 8 Faces at 3, the first book, or jump in anywhere the plot description interests you.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order