John Rankin books in order

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

"There are two books in the John Rankin series, published between 1984 and 1985."

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

"The first book in the John Rankin series is Runner in the Street, published in 1984."

Q: "What makes the John Rankin series different from Grady's Condor books?"

"While the Condor series focuses on CIA espionage, the John Rankin duology moves into the world of D.C. political crime and corruption. The books draw on Grady's own experience working on Capitol Hill and as an investigative journalist in Washington, giving them a street-level view of power rather than the intelligence agency focus of Condor."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Runner in the Street	1984	James Grady	Buy
2	Hard Bargains	1985	James Grady	Buy

The John Rankin series puts James Grady’s firsthand knowledge of Washington, D.C. to work in a pair of crime thrillers set in the political heart of the country. Published in 1984 and 1985, the two novels trade the CIA corridors of the Condor books for the broader world of D.C. power, corruption, and street-level crime.

Grady spent years in Washington as both a journalist and a Senate staffer, and that experience shows in the Rankin books. The city itself becomes a character, with its layers of official power and unofficial deals providing the backdrop for stories that mix political thriller elements with hard-edged crime fiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the John Rankin series?

There are two books in the John Rankin series, published between 1984 and 1985.

What is the first book in the John Rankin series?

The first book in the John Rankin series is Runner in the Street, published in 1984.

What makes the John Rankin series different from Grady's Condor books?

While the Condor series focuses on CIA espionage, the John Rankin duology moves into the world of D.C. political crime and corruption. The books draw on Grady’s own experience working on Capitol Hill and as an investigative journalist in Washington, giving them a street-level view of power rather than the intelligence agency focus of Condor.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order