Jeff Lindsay has published 15 novels, 2 novellas, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book, beginning with Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004). The 2 series include Dexter (8 books, starting with Darkly Dreaming Dexter) and Riley Wolfe (3 books, starting with Just Watch Me). The latest is The Fourth Rule (2023).
Updated September 2026
Dexter books in order (8)Series page
Reading order: 1 Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004) · 2 Dearly Devoted Dexter (2005) · 3 Dexter in the Dark (2007) · 4 Dexter by Design (2009) · 5 Dexter Is Delicious (2010) · 6 Double Dexter (2011) · 7 Dexter's Final Cut (2013) · 8 Dexter Is Dead (2015)
- 1.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Jul 2004)
- 2.
Dearly Devoted Dexter (2005)
- 3.
Dexter in the Dark (2007)
- 4.
Dexter by Design (2009)
- 5.
Dexter Is Delicious (2010)
- 6.
Double Dexter (2011)
- 7.
Dexter's Final Cut (2013)
- 8.
Dexter Is Dead (2015)
Riley Wolfe books in order (3)Series page
Reading order: 1 Just Watch Me (2019) · 2 Three-Edged Sword (2022) · 3 The Fourth Rule (2023)
- 1.
Just Watch Me (2019)
- 2.
Three-Edged Sword (2022)
- 3.
The Fourth Rule (2023)
Where to start with Jeff Lindsay
Start here
Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Jeff Lindsay's most-read book and the first of the 8 Dexter books.
Newest
The Fourth Rule
Published 2023.
Standalone novels in order
Dirty Laundry (1997)
Red Tide (2015)
Tropical Depression (2015)
Fool Me Twice (2020)
Novellas in order
Dexter (2013)
Dexter Down Under (2014)
Non-fiction in order
Hunting With Hemingway (2000)
Other books in order
Darkly Dreaming (2004)
Film and TV adaptations
- Dexter (2007)TV · from Darkly Dreaming Dexter
- Dexter, season 1TV · from Darkly Dreaming Dexter
About Jeff Lindsay
Jeffry P. Freundlich, primarily known by his pen name Jeff Lindsay, is an American playwright and crime novelist. He is best known for his novels about the fictional psychopathic Miami police forensic analyst and serial killer-killing vigilante Dexter Morgan. The first book of the series was later developed into the Showtime television series from 2006 to 2013, with actor Michael C. Hall playing the character.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Jeff Lindsay FAQ
- How many books has Jeff Lindsay written?
- Jeff Lindsay has published 15 novels, 2 novellas, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Jeff Lindsay's books in?
- Read each series in its own order: start Dexter with Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Riley Wolfe with Just Watch Me. The other books stand alone and can be read in any order.
- What is Jeff Lindsay's latest book?
- The Fourth Rule (2023).
- What is Jeff Lindsay's most famous book?
- Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004) is Jeff Lindsay's most widely read book.
- Are Jeff Lindsay's books connected?
- 11 books belong to 2 series (Dexter and Riley Wolfe); the other 8 books stand alone.
- Which Jeff Lindsay books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Darkly Dreaming Dexter (as Dexter, TV, 2007).
Authors like Jeff Lindsay
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.