Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Godwulf Manuscript | 1973 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 2 | God Save the Child | 1974 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 3 | Mortal Stakes | 1975 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 4 | Promised Land | 1976 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 5 | The Judas Goat | 1978 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 6 | Looking for Rachel Wallace | 1980 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 7 | Early Autumn | 1981 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 8 | A Savage Place | 1981 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 9 | Ceremony | 1982 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 10 | The Widening Gyre | 1983 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 11 | Valediction | 1984 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 12 | A Catskill Eagle | 1985 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 13 | Taming a Sea-Horse | 1986 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 14 | Pale Kings and Princes | 1987 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 15 | Crimson Joy | 1988 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 16 | Playmates | 1989 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 17 | Stardust | 1990 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 18 | Pastime | 1991 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 19 | Double Deuce | 1992 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 20 | Paper Doll | 1993 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 21 | Walking Shadow | 1994 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 22 | Thin Air | 1995 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 23 | Chance | 1996 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 24 | Small Vices | 1997 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 25 | Sudden Mischief | 1998 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 26 | Hush Money | 1999 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 27 | Hugger Mugger | 2000 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 28 | Potshot | 2001 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 29 | Widow’s Walk | 2002 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 30 | Back Story | 2003 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 31 | Bad Business | 2004 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 32 | Cold Service | 2005 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 33 | School Days | 2005 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 34 | Hundred-Dollar Baby / Dream Girl | 2006 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 35 | Now and Then | 2007 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 36 | Rough Weather | 2008 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 37 | The Professional | 2009 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 38 | Painted Ladies | 2010 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 39 | Sixkill | 2011 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 40 | Silent Night | 2011 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 41 | Lullaby | 2012 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 42 | Wonderland / Spenser Confidential | 2013 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 43 | Cheap Shot | 2014 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 44 | Kickback | 2015 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 45 | Slow Burn | 2016 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 46 | Little White Lies | 2017 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 47 | Old Black Magic | 2018 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 48 | Angel Eyes | 2019 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 49 | Someone to Watch Over Me | 2020 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 50 | Bye Bye Baby | 2022 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 51 | Broken Trust | 2023 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 52 | Hot Property | 2024 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
| 53 | Showdown | 2025 | Robert B. Parker | Buy |
The Spenser series is one of the longest-running private detective franchises in American crime fiction. Created by Robert B. Parker in 1973 with The Godwulf Manuscript, the series follows a Boston-based PI known only by his surname. Spenser is tough but cultured, a former boxer who quotes poetry and cooks elaborate meals. The series established itself quickly and Parker published almost 40 novels before his death in 2010.
After Parker died, the estate brought in Ace Atkins and later Mike Lupica to continue the series, which has now reached 53 books. Key supporting characters include Spenser’s partner Susan Silverman and his associate Hawk. The series has also been adapted for television, most notably as the 1985-1988 show Spenser: For Hire.