Max Allan Collins
Max Allan Collins was born on March 3rd, 1948 and is currently 78 years old. Max Allan Collins was born in Muscatine, Iowa, USA. Collins attended The University of Iowa where he studied in the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
Max Allan Collins is known for writing in the Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, and Crime Fiction genres.
Max Allan Collins has written 24 standalone novels, starting with Midnight Haul in 1986. The most recently released novel was Cutout, which was released in 2024. There are no upcoming standalone novels by Max Allan at this time.
Max Allan Collins has also written the Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery series which has 23 books including Antiques Roadkill and Antiques Maul.
Max Allan Collins has a wife who is also an author, Barbara Collins. Max Allan Collins has co-authored 29 novels with Barbara Collins they are: Hot Blood X, Regeneration, Bombshell, Antiques Roadkill, Antiques Maul, Antiques Flee Market, Once Upon a Crime: An Anthology of Murder, Mayhem and Suspense, Antiques Bizarre, Antiques Knock-Off, Antiques Disposal, Antiques Chop, Antiques Slay Ride, Antiques Con, Antiques Fruitcake, Antiques Swap, Antiques St. Nicked, Antiques Fate, Antiques Frame, Antiques Wanted, Antiques Ho-Ho-Homicides, Antiques Ravin', Antiques Fire Sale, Antiques Carry on, Suspense—His & Hers: Tales of Love and Murder, Antiques Liquidation, Antiques Foe, Cutout, Antiques Slay Belles and Antiques Round-Up.
Max Allan Collins: Awards & Accolades
Max Allan Collins won the Edgar Award, Grand Master, in 2017.
Collins' books have also won multiple awards, True Detective won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1984. Stolen Away won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1992. A Front-Row Seat won the Anthony Award, Best Short Story, in 1998. The Little Death won the Audie Award, Best Original Work, in 2011. So Long, Chief won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story, in 2014.
The following novels by Max Allan Collins were also nominated for these awards:
- True Crime: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1985).
- The Million-Dollar Wound: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1987). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1987).
- Scrap: Anthony Award, Best Short Story (1988).
- Quarry's Vote / Primary Target: Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1988).
- Neon Mirage: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1989).
- Dying in the Post-War World: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (1992).
- Carnal Hours: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1995).
- Damned in Paradise: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1997).
- Flying Blind: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1999).
- The Hindenburg Murders: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2001).
- Angel in Black: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2002).
- The Lusitania Murders: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2003).
- The London Blitz Murders: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2005).
- Road to Purgatory: Audie Award, Best Fiction (2006).
- The War of the Worlds Murder: Macavity Award, Sue Feder Historical Mystery Award (2006).
- The Last Quarry: Barry Award, Best Paperback Original (2007).
- Deadly Beloved: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2008).
- The Blonde Tigress: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (2009).
- The First Quarry: Barry Award, Best Paperback Original (2009). Anthony Award, Best Paperback Original (2009).
- Quarry in the Middle: Barry Award, Best Paperback Original (2010). Anthony Award, Best Paperback Original (2010).
- Crimes by Moonlight: Suspense Magazine Awards, Best Anthology (2010).
- You Can't Stop Me: International Thriller Writers Award, Best Original Paperback Novel (2011).
- A Long Time Dead: International Thriller Writers Award, Best Short Story (2011). Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (2011). Crime Writer's Association Award, Short Story Award (2012).
- Encore for Murder: Audie Award, Best Original Work (2012).
- Bye Bye, Baby: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2012).
- Quarry's Ex: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2012).
- In Pursuit of Spenser: Edgar Award, Best Critical/Biographical Work (2013). Anthony Award, Best Non-Fiction Book (2013). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Critical/Biographical (2013).
- Seduction of the Innocent: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2014).
- Ask Not: Nero Award, Best Mystery Novel (2014).
- Trust No One: Bram Stoker Awards, Superior Achievement in an Anthology (2015).
- Quarry's Choice: Barry Award, Best Paperback Original (2016).
- A Dangerous Cat: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (2017).
- Girl Most Likely: International Thriller Writers Award, Best Original Paperback Novel (2020).
- Killing Quarry: Barry Award, Best Paperback Original (2020).
- Do No Harm: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2021).
- Quarry's Blood: Edgar Award, Best Paperback Original (2023). Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2023).
- The Big Bundle: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2023).
- Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction: Edgar Award, Best Critical Biographical (2024). Anthony Award, Best Non-Fiction Book (2024). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Critical/Biographical (2024).
- Quarry's Return: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (2025).
Related Authors
Fans of Max Allan Collins also enjoy these authors:
- Arnaldur Indriðason, author of the Inspector Erlendur Series.
- Will Thomas, author of the Barker & Llewelyn Series.
- Dashiell Hammett, author of the Detective Sam Spade Series.
- Adrian McKinty, author of the Detective Sean Duffy Series.
- Joe Ide, author of the IQ Series.
- Andrew Gross, author of the Ty Hauck Series.
- Peter Lovesey, author of the Peter Diamond Series.
- Alison Gaylin, author of the Sunny Randall Series.
- Elmore Leonard, author of the Raylan Givens Series.
- Raymond Chandler, author of the Philip Marlowe Series.
Max Allan Collins: F.A.Q
When was Max Allan Collins Born? How old is Max Allan Collins?
Max Allan Collins was born on March 3rd, 1948. Max Allan Collins is currently 78 years old.
Where was Max Allan Collins Born?
Max Allan Collins was born in Muscatine, Iowa, USA and is American.
What awards has Max Allan Collins won?
Max Allan Collins has won the following awards: Grand Master at the Edgar Award (2017).
What book awards has Max Allan Collins won?
What was the first book Max Allan Collins wrote?
The first book written by Max Allan Collins was Bait Money, published in 1973.
What was the most recent book Max Allan Collins wrote?
His most recently released work was True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak on February 17th, 2026.
What is the most popular book by Max Allan Collins?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Max Allan Collins book is
Antiques Roadkill. Here are his most popular books:
- Antiques Roadkill (6.4)
- Antiques Flee Market (8)
- Antiques Knock-Off (8)
- Antiques Maul (6)
- Antiques Bizarre (7)
What genres does Max Allan Collins Write?
Max Allan Collins primarily writes in the Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, and Thriller genres. His work includes sub-genres such as Noir, Historical Mystery, and Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction.
Are there upcoming new books by Max Allan Collins?
Max Allan Collins has a new book coming out on November 10th, 2026 called
Quarry's Reunion.
Click and we will keep you updated on this via e-mail, and about any new books Max Allan Collins announces in the future.
How many books has Max Allan Collins written?
Max Allan Collins has written 248 books across 49 series, excluding contributions to anthologies.
- 14 Artist Archives Non-Fiction Books
- 1 book in the Bones Series
- 5 books in the Caleb York Series
- 3 books in the Criminal Minds Series
- 3 books in the Dark Angel Series
- 1 book in the Detective Sam Spade Series
- 3 books in the Dick Tracy Series
- 6 books in the Disaster Series
- 4 books in the Eliot Ness Series
- 1 book in the Fancy Anders Series
- 4 books in the Fangoria Dreadtime Stories Series
- 11 books in the Frank Nolan Series
- 2 books in the G.I. Joe Series
- 3 books in the Jackie & Maggie Starr Series
- 3 books in the John Sand Series
- 2 books in the Krista Larson Series
- 5 books in the Mallory Series
- 2 Mickey Spillane Short Stories/Novellas
- 1 Mickey Spillane Standalone Novels
- 2 Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Graphic Novels
- 3 books in the Mike Hammer Audio Series
- 15 books in the Mike Hammer Series
- 2 books in the Mommy Series
- 4 books in the Ms. Tree Series
- 4 books in the Mummy Series
- 4 Nathan Heller Collections
- 19 books in the Nathan Heller Series
- 2 books in the NYPD Blue Series
- 2 Patrick Culhane Standalone Novels
- 1 Quarry Collections
- 17 books in the Quarry Series
- 3 books in the Reeder & Rogers Series
- 4 books in the Road to Perdition Series
- 23 books in the Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery Series
- 2 books in the You Can't Stop Me Series
- 24 Standalone Novels
- 6 Short Stories/Novellas
- 6 Short Story Collections
- 12 Non-Fiction Books
- 3 Graphic Novels
- 2 books in the Akashic Noir Series
- 1 book in the Bibliomysteries Series
- 9 books in the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Series
- 2 books in the CSI: Miami Series
- 4 books in the Dick Tracy: The Collins Case Files Series
- 1 book in the Kolchak: The Night Stalker Series
- 1 book in the Mysterious Profiles Series
- 1 book in The X-Files Series