Nelson DeMille Books In Order

Publication Order of Joe Ryker Books

Publication Order of John Corey Books

Publication Order of John Sutter Books

Publication Order of Paul Brenner Books

Publication Order of Scott Brodie & Maggie Taylor Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of The MatchUp Collection Books

Publication Order of Bibliomysteries Books

Chronological Order of Bibliomysteries Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Nelson DeMille:

Early Life and Education

Nelson Richard DeMille was born in Jamaica (Queens) on August 23, 1943, and passed in September 2024. He was the son of builder Huron DeMille and his wife Antonia Panzera. DeMille and his family moved to Long Island when he was a child; here he attended the Elmont Memorial high school, where he enjoyed playing football and running track.

After finishing high school in 1962, he attended Hofstra University for three years before joining the U.S. army. DeMille served the United States army from 1966 to 1969. He spent part of that time fighting the Vietnam War in Quang (from November 1967 to December 1968).

During the three years of military service, he earned the rank of First Lieutenant and was decorated with the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Air Medal. In 1969, he resumed his studies at Hofstra, graduating in 1970 with a B.A. in political science and history.

At Hofstra, he was also awarded with the Estabrook Award and was selected as Hofstra’s 1999 Alumnus of the Year. DeMille stated that his years at Hofstra university infused him the love for arts and literature and influenced his decision to become a novelist.

Life After University

After university, he worked as a carpenter, a house painter and an insurance investigator for a while. He then began writing and his literary career started with a series of fast-paced crime novels, which soon evolved into more complex thrillers.

In 1971, DeMille married Ellen Wasserman. Before divorcing in 1987, the couple had two children, Lauren and Alexander. In 1998 DeMille married a second time to Virginia “Ginny” Sindel Witte, but in 2004 divorced again.

Right now, he lives in Long Island with his third wife, Sandra Dillingham, and their son, James. His older son, Alexander, is a filmmaker and his daughter, Lauren, a PhD candidate in Psychology. DeMille has served on the Hofstra Board of Trustees and has endowed a Hofstra scholarship in his name for students majoring in English.

He is past president of the Mystery Writers of America and a member of the Authors Guild, PEN American Centre, Poets & Writers, and American MENSA.

DeMille as a Writer: Books and Style

Style

DeMille’s works explore the world of suspense and thrillers. Most of his books are written in the first person and the plots follow a linear line: this technique allows his readers to feel more involved into the main character’s evolution and the plot development.

His writing style is often full of irony and gritty sarcasm and his scenario are often set in Long Island. DeMille’s novel frequently finish either inconclusively or with the hero successfully finding the key to a mystery and exposing the villains.

Major Books and Characters

From 1974 to 1975, DeMille wrote a series of fast-paced paperback novels centered around the figure of NYPD homicide detective Joe Keller. These novels have often been praised for their colorful descriptions of characters, places and situations.

Joe Keller was soon replaced by another character, Joe Ryker, who chased after villains, which included a Vietnamese veteran and a rogue CIA agent. In 1978, DeMille started writing more complex suspense thrillers. Word of Honor, one of his masterpiece, drew heavily from his own life experience in Southeast Asia and documented the destructive and overwhelming personal effects after a civilian massacre.

The novel was adapted as a made-for-cable movie in 2003. The novel The Golden Coast introduced another serial character, John Stutter, a lawyer who lives with his beautiful and rich wife in Long Island: his perfect, but boring, bourgeois life is completely altered when a member of the Mafia comes living next door and asks for Stutter’s legal advice.

The General’s Daughter is for sure one of DeMille’s most known novel. Written in 1992, it portrays and denounces military corruption in a rape-murder investigation. The book was adapted to a movie in 1999, with John Travolta starring as the main character.

DeMille’s most recent serial novels are written around the character of New York homicide detective John Corey and explore the topic of terrorism on the American territory. Among the novels, Night Fall sees Corey investigating a 1996 plane crash that resemble the real-life explosion of TWA Flight 800 over the Atlantic Coast; Wild Fire on the other hand sees Corey involved in the investigation of a plot to detonate two atomic bombs in the United States.

DeMille’s Latest Novels

DeMille’s most recent works include Corey’s last adventure. The Panther, written in 2012, portrays the life of the anti-terrorist task force agent Corey with his wife Kate Mayfiled, an FBI agent, in Yemen, one of the most dangerous and dysfunctional places in the Middle East.

While living there, the couple works with a small team to track down one of the masterminds behind Al Qaeda, known as The Panther. Moreover, they have to survive in such an hostile environment, where American resources are almost nonexistent.

Their enemy is brutal and elusive and has committed a great number of terrorist acts and murders, but has always succeeded in escaping from the government grip. The couple will face a great number of dangerous and almost deadly situations, which will pose them the interrogative of who is in reality their ally and who is their enemy.

The Panther is a brilliant depiction of one of the most dangerous and treacherous countries in the world and raises questions about whether or not we can always trust our so-called allies. In 1975 DeMille had written a short novel titled The Quest.

Now, in 2013, he has rewritten it and doubled its length, without altering the main plot that had made the novel so powerful and successful in the past. The Quest is a romantic thriller, filled with heart-pounding actions and drama.

The story takes place first in Ethiopia, during the Civil War, where a Catholic priest is jailed, because accused of knowing the true location of the Holy Grail. During the bombings, the prison is struck and the priest succeeds in escaping. Old and weak, he escapes into the jungle and meets a Western journalist and photographer, to whom he tells his story.

Motivated by the amazing anecdotes of the priest, the journalist and photographer agree on starting an incredible journey to look for the mysterious sacred cup. Thus, an adventure full of murderous tribesmen, assassins and deathly curses begins.

10 Responses to “Nelson DeMille”

1. Ed Lynch: 3 months ago

   I started with Plum Island and have enjoyed every story after . mostly because i grew up on L.I. and knew every location that was noted in this book as well as many others. Nelson and I grew up in the same area of L.I. at the same time . I did get to meet him at a signing and was thrilled to relate. great writter.

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2. Marcy Lange: 5 months ago

   I was introduced to Nelson DeMille books by a good friend. She recommended the Plum Island series. I like to read a series in order & it would be very helpful to have an “in order list” on your web site. I’ve read about 8 or 10 of your books & love the stories, the suspense, & humor of your main characters.

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3. Ellen Sunden: 1 year ago

   I am from Long island too. Your books bring me home again as I travel with your characters.I feel as if I become invested in each book.I spent my young life from massapequa to Elmont to the city and Montaukk..You books and characters are a true
   Representation of Long Island Thanks for your body of work.Funny thing my Mom worked at Double day in Garden City and I too went to to Hofstra seems like we were pals a lifetime ago!!!Wishing for your next novel always a pleasure!

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4. Mary Beth Lang: 2 years ago

   Well, here I am at 11;30 pm, looking for something by Nelson DeMille that I don’t already own. Your books don’t belong on a Kindle or as a paperback. No, I must have the hard copy, and have had to order a few from England to get my hands on them.

   Your books are in their own barrister bookcase, waiting for my adult grandchildren to finally be done with all things Harry Potterish. I always told them that I didn’t care what they read as long as they read something. I turn to you for serious, yet genius writing that drags me deep into the tale.

   I turn to Stephen King when I’m in the mood for a good story, especially about the 1950’s. I’m guessing that all three of us are from the same time period, and as I’m the only one who never wrote as well as I wanted, I bow to you. Those who can, do. And I thank you and Stephen for filling both my brain and and my bookcase’s with such satisfying talent. It has been my pleasure to have grown up with you.

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5. Luann Hubbard: 2 years ago

   my husband who died New Years Eve, loved your books and collected many of them. Now I’m left with them so I’m make it a goal to read them all.

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6. elliott oakes: 2 years ago

   A reader’s preferences are subjective, but I personally think Demille covers all the bases required to keep a reader turning the pages.

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7. Geraldine Combs: 3 years ago

   I thought I was a serious collector of Nelson DeMille books until I saw this list. I’ve got more collecting and reading to do! My absolute favorite author of all time, hands down!

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8. Alexandra: 3 years ago

   I thoroughly enjoy each and every book of yours and I do, at this point, have most of them. I have not started the Bibliomysteries yet, but give me time. I too am from Long Island so I find I can relate to the geography. Your characters are very interesting and come alive on the pages. It is often very hard to put your novels down after many hours of reading. I am also a fan of Janet Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum character is extremely funny and I enjoy them immensely also. Thank you for your wonderful imagination. I look forward to each and every book you write.

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9. Donald C Kalas: 3 years ago

   The “Deserter” was the first Nelson DeMille book That I read. since, I’ve read 10 more, all good. Still “The Deserted” is my favorite..

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10. Gaetana Cataldo: 4 years ago

    I have read every book that you have written and every time I finished reading one I always say it is my favorite. So I will repeat, every one of them is my favorite. I was visiting my sister on Long Island, many yrs. ago and she took me to a wonderful independent book store on Long island and I missed your book signing by 24 hrs. Presently I am reading Stephen Coonts Liars & Thieves. Moving quickly.

    Wishing you good health and many more yrs. of novels. Sincerely, Gay
    am reading Stephen Coonts Liars and Thieves

    Reply