Books in Order: A Comprehensive Guide to Richard S. Prather's Publications

Books in Order: A Deep Dive into the Author Richard S. Prather’s Accomplishments and Unique Writing Style

Richard S. Prather (1921-2007), a prominent author hailing from America, was renowned for his compelling hard-boiled investigator novels. His most distinguished work was the awe-inspiring Shell Scott series that wowed readers with its gripping narrative and dynamic plot.

Born and raised in California, Richard developed a deep love for literature from a young age. This fondness for the written word led him to study at Riverbank Junior College. After serving diligently during World War II as a firefighter, oiler, and technologist, he married and settled into civilian life, working as a chief clerk at an Air Force base.

However, Richard always nurtured the ambition of becoming a full-time writer. His dedication to fulfill his dream led him to devote around 16 hours a day to writing, only taking intermittent breaks for meals. His hard work paved the way for his resounding success in the field of writing.

Richard’s journey as an author began in 1950 with his debut novel titled The Case of the Vanishing Beauty. However, his relationship with Pocket Books ran into a snag, prompting him to take a break from writing. During this phase, he occupied himself with growing avocados. After nine long years, Richard made a triumphant return to writing with the novel The Amber Effect, published in 1986.

A Comprehensive List of Richard S. Prather’s Books in Order

Books in order of their publication serves as an excellent roadmap for navigating an author’s work. Below is an exhaustive list of Richard S. Prather’s books in order of their release:

Publication Order of Shell Scott Books

The Case of the Vanishing Beauty (1950) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Bodies in Bedlam (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Everybody Had a Gun (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Find This Woman (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dagger of Flesh (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Darling, It’s Death (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Way of a Wanton (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Pattern for Murder / The Scrambled Yeggs (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Always Leave ’em Dying (1953) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Ride a High Horse / Too Many Crooks (1953) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Pattern for Panic (1954) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Strip for Murder (1956) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Wailing Frail (1956) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Have Gat – Will Travel (1957) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Three’s a Shroud (1957) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Slab Happy (1958) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Take a Murder, Darling (1958) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Over Her Dear Body (1959) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Double in Trouble (1959) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dance with the Dead (1960) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dig That Crazy Grave (1961) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Shell Scott’s Seven Slaughters (1961) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Kill the Clown (1962) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dead Heat (1963) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Joker in the Deck (1964) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Cockeyed Corpse (1964) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Trojan Hearse (1964) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dead Man’s Walk (1965) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Kill Him Twice (1965) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Meandering Corpse (1965) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Kubla Khan Caper (1966) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Gat Heat (1967) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Cheim Manuscript (1969) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Kill Me Tomorrow (1969) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Shell Scott Sampler (1969) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Dead-Bang (1971) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Sweet Ride (1972) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Sure Thing (1975) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Amber Effect (1986) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Shellshock (1987) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Death Gods (2011) 📚 Buy on Amazon