Ross Macdonald

Ross Macdonald

Ross Macdonald also wrote as: Kenneth Millar.

Ross Macdonald was born in Los Gatos, California, USA on December 13th, 1915 and passed away at the age of 67 on July 11th, 1983.

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Ross Macdonald Stats: The highest rated book by Ross Macdonald on Book Notification is The Drowning Pool, the 2nd novel in the Lew Archer series.

The most read book by Ross Macdonald on Book Notification is The Drowning Pool, the 2nd novel in the Lew Archer series. The second most read book is The Moving Target / Harper (Lew Archer #1).

Below is a complete list of Ross Macdonald books in publication and chronological order, broken down by series. The most popular series by Ross Macdonald is the Lew Archer Series.

List of Lew Archer Books in Publication Order

Ranked by popularity, the top Lew Archer books are The Drowning Pool, The Moving Target / Harper, and The Way Some People Die.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
6.7
The Moving Target / Harper
1949
Go
2
7.2
The Drowning Pool
1950
Go
3
8
The Way Some People Die
1951
Go
4
The Ivory Grin / Marked for Murder
1952
Go
5
6
Find a Victim
1954
Go
6
6
The Barbarous Coast
1956
Go
7
10
The Doomsters
1958
Go
8
8
The Galton Case
1959
Go
9
8
The Wycherly Woman
1961
Go
10
8.5
The Zebra-Striped Hearse
1962
Go
11
7.3
The Chill
1963
Go
12
8
The Far Side of the Dollar
1965
Go
13
Black Money
1966
Go
14
9
The Instant Enemy
1968
Go
15
6
The Goodbye Look
1969
Go
16
8
The Underground Man
1971
Go
17
Sleeping Beauty
1973
Go
18
7
The Blue Hammer
1976
Go

List of Lew Archer Collections in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
5.5
The Name is Archer
1955
Go
2
Lew Archer, Private Investigator
1977
Go
3
The Archer Files
2007
Go

List of Chet Gordon Books in Publication Order (as Kenneth Millar)

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8
The Dark Tunnel / I Die Slowly
1944
Go
2
Trouble Follows Me
1946
Go

List of Standalone Novels in Publication Order

Ranked by popularity, the top standalone books are Meet Me at the Morgue / Experience with Evil, The Ferguson Affair, and The Three Roads.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Blue City ( As: Kenneth Millar)
1947
Go
2
The Three Roads ( As: Kenneth Millar)
1948
Go
3
Meet Me at the Morgue / Experience with Evil
1954
Go
4
The Ferguson Affair
1967
Go

List of Short Stories/Novellas in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
The Guilty Ones
1952
Go
2
The Imaginary Blonde
1953
Go
3
Midnight Blue
2010
Go

List of Short Story Collections in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Strangers in Town (With: Tom Nolan)
2001
Go

List of Akashic Noir Books in Publication Order

Features dark crime stories set in different cities or regions, each written by local authors who capture the gritty vibe of their location.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
San Francisco Noir
2002
Go
2
Seattle Noir
2003
Go
3
Bronx Noir
2003
Go
4
Brooklyn Noir
2004
Go
5
8
Hasidic Noir
2004
Go
6
Brooklyn Noir 2
2005
Go
7
Chicago Noir
2005
Go
8
Dublin Noir
2005
Go
9
Manhattan Noir
2006
Go
10
4
Miami Noir
2006
Go
11
D.C. Noir
2006
Go
12
Baltimore Noir
2006
Go
13
Twin Cities Noir
2006
Go
14
London Noir
2006
Go
15
10
New Orleans Noir
2007
Go
16
Los Angeles Noir
2007
Go
17
Wall Street Noir
2007
Go
18
Havana Noir
2007
Go
19
Detroit Noir
2007
Go
20
Queens Noir
2008
Go
21
Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
2008
Go
22
Toronto Noir
2008
Go
23
Las Vegas Noir
2008
Go
24
Trinidad Noir
2008
Go
25
D.C. Noir 2
2008
Go
26
Manhattan Noir 2
2008
Go
27
Paris Noir
2008
Go
28
Istanbul Noir
2008
Go
29
9
Boston Noir
2009
Go
30
Rome Noir
2009
Go
31
San Francisco Noir 2
2009
Go
32
Portland Noir
2009
Go
33
6
Delhi Noir
2009
Go
34
6
Phoenix Noir
2009
Go
35
Los Angeles Noir 2
2010
Go
36
Mexico City Noir
2010
Go
37
Richmond Noir
2010
Go
38
Orange County Noir
2010
Go
39
10
Indian Country Noir
2010
Go
40
Moscow Noir
2010
Go
41
Lone Star Noir
2010
Go
42
Philadelphia Noir
2010
Go
43
Haiti Noir
2010
Go
44
Copenhagen Noir
2010
Go
45
Pittsburgh Noir
2011
Go
46
San Diego Noir
2011
Go
47
Barcelona Noir
2011
Go
48
4
Cape Cod Noir
2011
Go
49
New Jersey Noir
2011
Go
50
Staten Island Noir
2012
Go
51
Mumbai Noir
2012
Go
52
Long Island Noir
2012
Go
53
6
Venice Noir
2012
Go
54
Kingston Noir
2012
Go
55
St. Petersburg Noir
2012
Go
56
Kansas City Noir
2012
Go
57
8
Boston Noir 2
2012
Go
58
USA Noir
2013
Go
59
Manila Noir
2013
Go
60
Buffalo Noir
2013
Go
61
Dallas Noir
2013
Go
62
Haiti Noir 2
2013
Go
63
9
Singapore Noir
2014
Go
64
Prison Noir
2014
Go
65
Tel Aviv Noir
2014
Go
66
Tehran Noir
2014
Go
67
10
Belfast Noir
2014
Go
68
Helsinki Noir
2014
Go
69
Rio Noir
2014
Go
70
Providence Noir
2015
Go
71
Chicago Noir: The Classics
2015
Go
72
Memphis Noir
2015
Go
73
7
Zagreb Noir
2015
Go
74
Marseille Noir
2015
Go
75
Beirut Noir
2015
Go
76
New Orleans Noir: The Classics
2016
Go
77
Stockholm Noir
2016
Go
78
Brussels Noir
2016
Go
79
Mississippi Noir
2016
Go
80
St. Louis Noir
2016
Go
81
Prague Noir
2016
Go
82
San Juan Noir
2016
Go
83
Oakland Noir
2017
Go
84
Trinidad Noir: The Classics
2017
Go
85
7
Atlanta Noir
2017
Go
86
New Haven Noir
2017
Go
87
Montana Noir
2017
Go
88
Buenos Aires Noir
2017
Go
89
Montreal Noir
2017
Go
90
Berlin Noir
2018
Go
91
São Paulo Noir
2018
Go
92
6
Santa Cruz Noir
2018
Go
93
Lagos Noir
2018
Go
94
Marrakech Noir
2018
Go
95
7
Baghdad Noir
2018
Go
96
7
Vancouver Noir
2018
Go
97
Sydney Noir
2018
Go
98
Hong Kong Noir
2018
Go
99
7
Amsterdam Noir
2019
Go
100
Milwaukee Noir
2019
Go
101
Houston Noir
2019
Go
102
Nairobi Noir
2020
Go
103
Columbus Noir
2020
Go
104
Santa Fe Noir
2020
Go
105
7
Alabama Noir
2020
Go
106
Berkeley Noir
2020
Go
107
7
Addis Ababa Noir
2020
Go
108
Tampa Bay Noir
2020
Go
109
Miami Noir: The Classics
2020
Go
110
8
Accra Noir
2020
Go
111
Belgrade Noir
2020
Go
112
Palm Springs Noir
2021
Go
113
Paris Noir: The Suburbs
2022
Go
114
8
Denver Noir
2022
Go
115
South Central Noir
2022
Go
116
Cleveland Noir
2023
Go
117
East Jerusalem Noir
2023
Go
118
West Jerusalem Noir
2023
Go
119
Honolulu Noir
2024
Go
120
Sacramento Noir
2025
Go
121
Hamburg Noir
2025
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Ross Macdonald Anthologies in Publication Order

#ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Dear Dead Days: 1972 Mystery Writers of America Anthology
1972
Go
2
Space Suits & Gumshoes
1972
Go
3
Mammoth Book of Short Crime Novels
1986
Go
4
The Mammoth Book of Private Eye Stories
1988
Go
5
City Sleuths and Tough Guys
1989
Go
6
Pulp Frictions: Hardboiled Stories
1996
Go
7
The Oxford Book of American Detective Stories
1996
Go
8
Writing Los Angeles
2002
Go
9
Paris Noir
2008
Go
10
8
Books to Die For
2012
Go
Show All Anthologies
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Ross Macdonald

Ross Macdonald was born on December 13th, 1915. Ross passed away July 11th, 1983 at 67 years old. Ross Macdonald was born in Los Gatos, California, USA.

Ross Macdonald was the author of the Lew Archer series which consists of 18 novels. The Lew Archer series started in 1949 with the novel The Moving Target / Harper. The most recently released novel in the Lew Archer series was The Blue Hammer which was released in 1976. There are no upcoming novels for the Lew Archer series.

Ross Macdonald: Awards & Accolades

Ross Macdonald has won multiple awards including: The Edgar Award, Grand Master, in 1974 and the Shamus Award, Lifetime Achievement Award (The Eye), in 1982.

Macdonald's books have also won multiple awards, The Far Side of the Dollar won the Crime Writer's Association Award, Gold Dagger Award, in 1965. Books to Die For won the Agatha Award, Best Non-fiction, in 2012 as well as the Anthony Award - Best Non-Fiction Book in 2013, Macavity Award - Best Mystery Critical/Biographical in 2013.

Ross Macdonald books have also been nominated for multiple awards, The Wycherly Woman was nominated for the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1962. The Zebra-Striped Hearse was nominated for the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1963. The Chill was nominated for the Crime Writer's Association Award, Gold Dagger Award, in 1964. The Far Side of the Dollar was nominated for the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1966. Books to Die For was nominated for the Edgar Award, Best Critical/Biographical Work, in 2013 as well as the Edgar Award - Best Critical/Biographical Work in 2013, CrimeFest - H.R.F. Keating Award in 2013.

Ross Macdonald: Lists & Other Mentions

  • Sleeping Beauty was a Counterpunch: 100 Best Novels in English Since 1900 Selection in 2014.
  • The Zebra-Striped Hearse was a The Sunday Times: The 100 Best Crime Novels and Thrillers since 1945 Selection in 2019.
  • The Chill was a Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.

Related Authors

Fans of Ross Macdonald also enjoy these authors:

  1. Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
  2. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
  3. Louise Penny, author of the Inspector Gamache Series.
  4. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
  5. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.

Ross Macdonald: F.A.Q

When was Ross Macdonald Born?

Ross Macdonald was born on December 13th, 1915.

When did Ross Macdonald die?

Ross Macdonald died on July 11th, 1983 at 67 years old.

Where was Ross Macdonald Born?

Ross Macdonald was born in Los Gatos, California, USA.

What awards has Ross Macdonald won?

Ross Macdonald has won the following awards: Grand Master at the Edgar Award (1974) and the Lifetime Achievement Award (The Eye) at the Shamus Award (1982).

What book awards has Ross Macdonald won?

The Far Side of the Dollar: Crime Writer's Association Award Gold Dagger Award (1965).
Books to Die For: Agatha Award Best Non-fiction (2012), Anthony Award Best Non-Fiction Book (2013), Macavity Award Best Mystery Critical/Biographical (2013).

What was the first book Ross Macdonald wrote?

The first book written by Ross Macdonald was The Dark Tunnel / I Die Slowly, published in 1944.

What was the most recent book Ross Macdonald wrote?

His most recently released work was Midnight Blue (a short story) on April 30th, 2010.

What is the most popular book by Ross Macdonald?

Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Ross Macdonald book is The Drowning Pool. Here are his most popular books:
  1. The Drowning Pool (7.17)
  2. The Moving Target / Harper (6.67)
  3. The Way Some People Die (8)
  4. The Zebra-Striped Hearse (8.5)
  5. The Chill (7.33)

How many books has Ross Macdonald written?

Ross Macdonald has written 32 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 18 books in the Lew Archer Series, 3 Lew Archer Collections, 2 books in the Chet Gordon Series, 4 Standalone Novels, 3 Short Stories/Novellas, 1 Short Story Collections, 1 book in the Akashic Noir Series.

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