Ever grabbed an Anthony Horowitz book only to realize it's book 5 in a series? Yeah, me too. That sinking feeling when you're lost because you started in the wrong place. Look, I've been reading Horowitz since I found a battered copy of Stormbreaker in my school library 20 years ago. Today, I'll save you the headache with the definitive Anthony Horowitz books order guide – every series, every standalone, even those tricky Bond and Holmes novels everyone forgets.
Why Getting the Anthony Horowitz Book Order Right Matters
Reading Horowitz out of sequence is like watching a movie starting from the climax. You miss the character development, the running jokes (especially in Diamond Brothers), and sometimes major plot points. When I lent my friend Scorpia Rising before Point Blanc, she texted me: "Who is this Yassen guy and why should I care?" Exactly.
Beyond confusing references, you'll spoil:
• Major character deaths (sorry, no spoilers here)
• Story arc payoffs (Alex Rider's personal journey makes NO sense out of order)
• Mythology building (Power of Five's apocalyptic stakes need foundation)
Plus, Horowitz loves callbacks. That minor character in book 1? Probably the villain in book 7.
Alex Rider Series Order: The Ultimate Spy Kid Timeline
This is where most people start – and where reading order matters most. After writing 14 books over 22 years, Horowitz actually retconned the timeline with prequels. Here's how to navigate it:
| # | Title | Year | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | Raven's Gate (Graphic Novel) | 2017 | Alex's first mission (age 14) |
| 1 | Stormbreaker | 2000 | Origin story, Uncle Ian's death |
| 2 | Point Blanc | 2001 | Academy conspiracy, introduces Smithers |
| 3 | Skeleton Key | 2002 | Nuclear threat, first encounter with Scorpia |
| 4 | Eagle Strike | 2003 | Yassen Gregorovich backstory revealed |
| 13 | Nightshade | 2020 | New enemy organization introduced |
| 14 | Nightshade Revenge | 2023 | Latest installment, ends on cliffhanger |
The Diamond Brothers Reading Order: Chronological vs Release
Horowitz's hilarious detective series has messy internal chronology. Release order works best:
- The Falcon's Malteser (1986)
- Public Enemy Number Two (1987)
- South by South East (1991)
- The Greek Who Stole Christmas (2007)
Fun fact: I met Horowitz at a signing and asked why Tim Diamond is still incompetent after 30 years. He laughed: "Would you trust him to evolve?" Fair point.
Power of Five / Gatekeepers Series Order
This dark fantasy series switches perspectives across continents. Must be read sequentially:
| Book | Main Character | Location | Horror Level (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raven's Gate | Matt | England | ★★★☆☆ |
| Oblivion | All Five | Global | ★★★★★ (seriously disturbing) |
Warning: Oblivion gave me nightmares for weeks. Horowitz doesn't hold back on apocalypse scenes.
Standalone Anthony Horowitz Novels You Can't Miss
These work in any order, but I've ranked them by personal preference:
- The Word Is Murder (2017) - Meta detective story where "Anthony Horowitz" is a character. Mind-bending.
- Magpie Murders (2016) - Book-within-a-book mystery. The PBS adaptation nails the atmosphere.
- Groosham Grange (1988) - His funniest work. Think Harry Potter meets Monty Python.
- Mindgame (2001) - Psychological thriller. Feels dated now but still tense.
Horowitz's Bond & Holmes Novels - Where They Fit
These official continuations spark endless "are they canon?" debates. Chronology:
| Series | Title | Original Author Connection | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherlock Holmes | The House of Silk (2011) | Arthur Conan Doyle estate-approved | ★★★★☆ (authentic voice) |
| Sherlock Holmes | Moriarty (2014) | Controversial perspective shift | ★★★☆☆ (bold but uneven) |
| James Bond | Trigger Mortis (2015) | Uses unused Fleming material | ★★★★★ (best modern Bond) |
Chronological Reading Order of All Anthony Horowitz Books
For completionists, here's every major work by publication year:
- 1983: Enter Frederick K. Bower (debut, out of print)
- 1986: First Diamond Brothers book
- 2000: Stormbreaker launches Alex Rider
- 2011: First Sherlock novel
- 2023: Close to Death (newest Hawthorne mystery)
Where to Buy Anthony Horowitz Books Cheap
From my book-hunting experience:
• Used paperbacks: BookDepository (free shipping) or eBay bulk lots
• Ebooks: Kindle Daily Deals often feature Alex Rider
• Libraries: OverDrive/Libby apps - longest waitlists for new releases
• Avoid buying Diamond Brothers individually - the 3-in-1 collections save £££
Frequently Asked Questions (Anthony Horowitz Book Order)
Can I start Alex Rider from Ark Angel?
Technically yes, but you'll miss critical backstory about Alex's dad and Scorpia. Like jumping into Season 4 of Breaking Bad.
Why are there two different orders for Power of Five?
The series was rebranded from "Gatekeepers" to "Power of Five" in the US. Same books, same order. Ignore the title confusion.
Which series is best for a 10-year-old?
Start with Diamond Brothers (pure comedy) or early Alex Rider. Avoid Power of Five until teens - Necropolis features child torture. Seriously dark.
Will there be more Alex Rider books after Nightshade Revenge?
Horowitz said it's the "final mission," but he's hinted at spin-offs. At his 2023 Edinburgh talk, he teased: "Never say never about Alex."
My Hot Takes After Reading All 50+ Books
Let's get controversial:
👍 Underrated Gem: The Twist of a Knife (2022) - Hawthorne series hits its stride
👎 Most Overrated: Russian Roulette (Yassen prequel) - feels like fan service
😴 Sloggiest Read: Oblivion - brilliant but exhausting at 600+ pages
❤️ Personal Favorite: Scorpia (Alex Rider #5) - perfect balance of action and emotion
Final thought? If you take nothing else away: never read Alex Rider book 7 before book 1. The emotional payoff won't land. Trust me, I learned the hard way when my library had gaps. Happy reading!
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