Paradise books in order

The complete reading order for Ted Dekker's Paradise series, beginning with Showdown and following the battle between good and evil in a small Colorado town.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Showdown 2005 Ted Dekker Buy
2 Saint 2006 Ted Dekker Buy
3 Sinner 2008 Ted Dekker Buy
4 Fever Dreams 2006 Ted Dekker N/A
5 Someone to Watch Over Me 2003 Ted Dekker N/A
6 Fire Beach 2014 Ted Dekker N/A
7 Bone Hook 2015 Ted Dekker N/A
8 Naive in Paradise - Ted Dekker N/A

The Paradise series takes place in and around the small Colorado town of Paradise, where a group of students at a remote monastery discover they can bring stories to life using mysterious Books of History. When a stranger rides into town, the power of these books is unleashed, and the battle between good and evil spills into the real world. Showdown, the first novel, is one of Dekker’s most intense books, blending horror elements with supernatural thriller pacing.

The trilogy continues with Saint, which follows a brainwashed assassin named Carl Strople (also known as Saint), and Sinner, where the characters from the previous two books collide. The later entries in the series include shorter works and novellas that expand the Paradise setting. Together, the main trilogy forms one of the core pillars of Dekker’s Books of History Chronicles.

Readers familiar with the Circle series will recognize connections between the two, though the Paradise books can be enjoyed on their own. The tone here leans darker than much of Dekker’s other work, with stronger horror undertones and a focus on how ordinary people respond when supernatural forces disrupt their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Paradise series?

There are eight books in the Paradise series, published between 2003 and 2015.

What is the first book in the Paradise series?

The first book in the Paradise series is Showdown, published in 2005.

How does the Paradise series connect to Ted Dekker's Circle series?

The Paradise series is set in the same Books of History Chronicles universe as the Circle series. The Books of History that play a central role in Showdown are the same books referenced throughout Dekker’s larger fictional universe, and some characters and themes overlap between the two series.

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