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John Rain Books in Order: How to read Barry Eisler’s series?

John Rain is a fictional character created by Barry Eisler. Ex-Special Forces and ex-CIA, he is now a freelance assassin for hire who specializes in making his victims appear to have died of natural causes. Rain is offering his assassination services to any client willing to follow his three rules:

  • No women or children
  • No secondary team working separately on an assassination Rain is handling
  • Principal actors only (i.e., no hits on family members, etc., in order to “send a message”).

How to read the John Rain Series in Order?

Every novel in the John Rain book series works as a standalone story.

john rain books in order

  • A Clean Kill in Tokyo -previously published as Rain Fall. Half American, half Japanese, expert in both worlds but at home in neither, John Rain is the best killer money can buy. You tell him who. You tell him where. He doesn’t care about why… Until he gets involved with Midori Kawamura, a beautiful jazz pianist-and the daughter of his latest kill.
  • A Lonely Resurrection -previously published as Hard Rain. All John Rain wants is to get out of the killing business. But with his discretion, his reliability, and his unique talent for death by “natural causes,” no one is willing to let him just retire. So when an old nemesis from the Japanese national police force comes to him with a new job-eliminate Murakami, a killer even more fearsome than Rain himself-he can’t refuse.
  • Winner Take All -previously published as Rain Storm. John Rain has disappeared in Brazil to escape the killing business and the enemies encircling him in Japan. But the CIA isn’t willing to lose its premier “natural causes” contract killer, and they force Rain to take on a high-risk assignment: eliminate a ruthless arms dealer operating in Southeast Asia.

john rain books in order

  • Redemption Games -previously published as Killing Rain. After nearly dying while taking out a target in Hong Kong, Rain has a new employer, The Mossad, which wants him to fix a “problem” in Manila. He also has a new partner, Dox, a sniper as deadly as Rain himself. When Rain’s conscience causes him to botch the Manila hit, he finds out the next problem The Mossad wants fixed is him.
  • Extremis -previously published as The Last Assassin. When John Rain learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, Rain senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption. But Midori and the child are being watched by Rain’s enemies, and Rain’s sudden appearance puts them in terrible danger. To save them, Rain is forced to use the same deadly talents he had been hoping to leave behind.
  • The Killer Ascendant -previously published as Requiem for an Assassin.With a new identity in Paris, and the help of his lover, Mossad agent Delilah, John Rain was beginning to leave the killing business behind. And then he receives a message from rogue CIA operative Jim Hilger: We have your friend Dox. Do as we tell you, or he dies.

john rain books in order

  • “ Paris is a Bitch “, a short story-For most couples, a quiet dinner for two at Auberge de la Reine Blanche on the Ile Saint Louis would be just the thing to smooth out the complications in a romance. But for Mossad operative Delilah and John Rain, nothing is ever easy, and when Rain sees a crew of hard-looking men setting up outside the restaurant, he realizes someone has been bringing her work home with her.
  • The Detachment -When legendary black ops veteran Colonel Scott “Hort” Horton tracks John Rain down in Tokyo, Rain can’t resist the offer: a multi-million dollar payday for the “natural causes” demise of three ultra-high-profile targets who are dangerously close to launching a coup in America. But the opposition on this job is going to be too much for even Rain to pull it off alone.
  • “ The Khmer Kill “-It’s a Dox short story, not a John Rain Story.For former Marine sniper Dox, a long-range hit in Cambodia was supposed to be just business as usual. But when you find yourself mixed up with rogue intelligence operations, gorgeous bar girls, and the world’s worst human-trafficking heart of darkness, business is anything but usual. And making it personal is the most dangerous business of all.
  • “ London Twist “ -It’s a Delilah novella, not a John Rain story. For Delilah, the parameters of the assignment were routine. The contractor: MI6. The objective: infiltrate a terror network, this one operating out of London. The stakes: a series of poison gas attacks on civilian population centers. There’s just one wrinkle. The target is a woman. And for a cynical operative thrust suddenly out of her element, the twists and turns of the spy game are nowhere near as dangerous as the secrets and desires of the human heart.

john rain books in order

  • Graveyard of Memories – A Prequel, can be read first, but you’ll get more from it at that point. What makes a legendary assassin? For John Rain, it was the lessons of love, war, and betrayal he learned in Tokyo in 1972. Fresh from the killing fields of Southeast Asia, Rain works as a bagman under the watchful eye of his CIA handler, delivering cash to corrupt elements of the Japanese government. But when a delivery goes violently wrong, Rain finds himself in the crosshairs of Japan’s most powerful yakuza clan.
  • Zero Sum – Returning to Tokyo in 1982 after a decade of mercenary work in the Philippines, a young John Rain learns that the killing business is now controlled by Victor, a half-Russian, half-Japanese sociopath who has ruthlessly eliminated all potential challengers. Victor gives Rain a choice: kill a government minister or die a grisly death. But the best route to the minister is through his gorgeous Italian wife, Maria, a route that puts Rain on a collision course not only with Victor but with the shadowy forces behind the Russian’s rise to dominance-and the longings of Rain’s own conflicted heart.
  • The Killer Collective – When a joint FBI–Seattle Police investigation of an international child pornography ring gets too close to certain powerful people, sex-crimes detective Livia Lone becomes the target of a hit that barely goes awry-a hit that had been offered to John Rain. Suspecting the FBI itself was behind the attack, Livia reaches out to former Marine sniper Dox. Together, they assemble an ad hoc group to identify and neutralize the threat.

john rain books in order

  • The Chaos Kind – Assistant US Attorney Alondra Diaz hates traffickers. And she’s determined to put one of America’s most powerful financiers, Andrew Schrader, in prison forever for his crimes against children. But Schrader has videos implicating some of the most powerful members of the US national security state. To eliminate Diaz, the powers that be bring in a contractor. Enter former Marine sniper Dox and black-ops veteran Daniel Larison with an unusual assignment: not to kill Diaz, but to keep her alive. A lot of players are determined to acquire the videos and the blackmail power they represent. But with Seattle sex-crimes detective Livia Lone, “natural causes” killer John Rain, and ex-Mossad honey-trap specialist Delilah, the good guys might just have a chance.

If you like our article about the John Rain series in order, don’t forget to bookmark it! Also, you may be interested in Mark Greaney’s book series .

An avid reader who likes order! Read a lot of Sci-Fi, but also hardboiled fiction, and non-fiction (mostly about the history of cinema). My favorite authors are John Wyndham, Arthur C. Clarke, Grant Morrison, Susanna Clarke, Ross MacDonald, Ed Brubaker, Matt Wagner, and Jason Pargin.

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john rain books in order

Barry Eisler Books In Order

Publication order of john rain books, publication order of ben treven books, publication order of livia lone books, publication order of standalone novels, publication order of short stories/novellas, publication order of non-fiction books.

Barry Eisler, who currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area, is an author that is not afraid to let his opinions be known. This is a fact that can easily be conveyed by his presence on at least eight blogs and newsworthy sites throughout the Internet. He blogs on mostly politics and languages on his blog, Heart of The Matter, but also writes consistently about such topics for sites like the Huffington Post, MichaelMoore.com and Truthout. All well producing multiple series of novels, some nonfiction books that think outside the box and winning a few awards along the way as well.

Barry Eisler was born in 1964 and after graduating from Cornell Law school in 1989, he immediately joined the ranks of the Central intelligence Agency, CIA. There he held a secret position with the Directorate of Operations, spending three years with the agency before moving on to other ventures.

Next Barry Eisler worked as a startup executive and technology lawyer in Silicon Valley and across Japan. While working at home and abroad he even earned his black belt at the Kodokan international judo Center. He did not start writing until 2002 and quickly had the rights to his first novel, Rain Fall, snapped up by a publishing company.

From there Barry Eisler has gone on to win the Barry Award and Gumshoe Award in the category of, Best Thriller of the Year. His books have been printed in over 20 languages worldwide and they continue to be a huge success, topping many Best Of lists around the globe, with well over 20,000 ratings on sites such as Goodreads.

Barry Eisler also is not afraid of making waves in the publishing world. He gave up a half a million dollar advance from St. Martin’s Press, in order to take the self publishing route. Barry Eisler wanted more control over his work, which can be seen further when the rights to his previous novels reverted back to him and he changed the titles of them, because he felt the current titles did not convey the story all that well.

It could be said that Barry Eisler enjoys causing waves, as he also write some nonfiction, maybe depending on who you ask, books, such as, The Ass Is A Poor Receptacle For The Head: Why Democrats Suck At Communication and How They Could Improve and BE THE MONKEY—A Conversation About The New World Of Publishing Between Barry Eisler And Joe Konrath. Both of which take a good hard look at politics and the publishing world, much like Barry Eisler’s blogging exploits.

Barry Eisler – A Novel of Secrets

Having had many life experiences across the globe, from the CIA to his work as a lawyer and work travels throughout Japan, it is clear Barry Eisler had much knowledge to draw on in his writings, making them all the better for it.

His first book, previously titled Rain Fall, now titled, A Clean Kill In Tokyo, follows the central character of, John Rain. He is a half American and half Japanese expert assassin, who is the best killer money can buy. He specializes in natural causes, making his hired hits look like nothing more than an ordinary death. One would think that a story about an assassin would be one-dimensional, but instead Barry Eisler makes sure to create a character that has so many dimensions it would make a science fiction’s story about hopping dimensions seem tame. The novel also gives a bit of insight into the mind frame of the aftermath of war for a soldier. The real life attentiveness and authentic appeal mixed with just the right amount of fiction makes, A Clean Kill In Tokyo, a compelling novel to read. Readers also have found the John Rain character to be so compelling that A Clean Kill In Tokyo has spawned numerous sequels with the character.

Another Barry Eisler novel, perhaps even more gripping than the John Rain series of novels, is Fault Line. It follows Ben Treven, a military expert who gets the job done, locating and finishing off high value targets that the American government hands to him. His brother calls him for help, having got caught up in a life or death situation, after barely escaping the first attempt on his life. From there the pair unravel a conspiracy that has remained in the shadows for so long. The brothers being complete opposites, bump heads from the get go, making the story have yet another added element to it. By the time you are done you will be wanting to read the next in the series, and what is sure to be many more to come.

Having already over 25 distinctive works published and too many blog posts to count, Barry Eisler shows no sign of slowing down. He lets his opinion be known through his novels and blog postings, unafraid to upset the status quo.

Barry Eisler – In Japanese Theatres

Barry Eisler has also had a movie made by Sony Pictures Japan. It was of his John Rain character, but the film did not turn out to be as much of a hit as his books. It opened in Japanese theaters in April 2009 starring mostly Japanese actors, with the exception of Gary Oldman, who many know from his work on The Dark Knight trilogy and the Harry Potter series of movies. It was released direct to DVD and North America May 2010. Many fans of Barry Eisler’s John Rain novels found that the movie strayed too far from the books and therefore rated it rather harshly.

To date it seems no more talk has occured of making any of Barry Eisler’s books into movies for theater or television. But with his books continually topping the New York Times bestseller list, it should only be a matter of time before Hollywood takes another crack at either the John Rain or Ben Treven characters.

Barry Eisler – No Finish Line In Sight

With his constant blog postings and promise of more novels in each of his highly successful series of books, there seems to be no stopping Barry Eisler. Even if he goes years without publishing a book, which is highly unlikely, readers will still be able to find him all across the Internet while he informs the world of his opinions on current events.

4 Responses to “Barry Eisler”

Love all your books and characters But sad for Ben Trèves Cheers Joe

I’m a big fan, and have read almost all books written. Looking forward to more Rain and Livia Loan books… sad to see the story of one character come to end in one of his most recent publications. Hoping for more!

I’ve just discovered the John Rain series. I’m on book #2 so far. I’m really enjoying these books. They remind me of the series by Tom Wood about Victor the Assassin, which are my favorite at the moment. Can’t wait to get into more of John Rain!

I was wondering about the multiple titles above. So far I’ve been able to find the first two titles in my local library under the first title given.

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john rain books in order

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john rain books in order

John Rain — by Barry Eisler

Rain Fall // A Clean Kill in Tokyo

# of Books:

First book:, latest book:, characters:, series rating:.

  • Date (oldest)
  • Date (newest)

The John Rain Series in Order (13 Books)

Book descriptions for series: john rain.

Rain Fall // A Clean Kill in Tokyo

JOHN RAIN KILLS PEOPLE. FOR A LIVING. His specialty: making it seem like death by natural causes. But he won't take out just anyone. The job must be an exclusive. The target must be a principal player. And he'll never murder a woman. Half American, h...

Hard Rain // Blood from Blood // A Lonely Resurrection

All John Rain wants is to disappear forever. What an old nemesis from Japan's FBI wants is one last favor: eliminate an assassin at large who kills without conscience. But there's a lot at stake--including the lives of Rain's few friends, and a love ...

Rain Storm // Choke Point // Winner Take All

Now Eisler takes Rain to the ends of the earth, where old habits die hard...and violently. John Rain has fled to Brazil to clear his killing conscience. But his talents are still in demand. The assignment: take out an arms dealer in Southeast Asia...

Killing Rain // One Last Kill // Redemption Games

Now Rain has a new employer, the Mossad, which wants him to fix a "problem" in Manila with the aid of his new partner, Dox, whose good-Ol'-boy persona masks a sniper as deadly as Rain himself. He also has a new hope: By using his talents in the servi...

The Last Assassin // Extremis

When freelance assassin John Rain learns that his former lover Midori has been raising their son in New York. he senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even redemption. But Midori is being watched by Rain's enemies, and his sudden appearance wou...

Requiem for an Assassin // Killer Ascendant

If you had to kill three people to save your best friend's life, would you do it? When John Rain decides to get out of the business, his hand is forced by rogue CIA operative Jim Hilger. Hilger kidnaps Dox, Rain's trusted partner and closest friend...

Paris Is A Bitch: A Novella

For most couples, a quiet dinner for two at Auberge de la Reine Blanche on the Ile Saint Louis would be just the thing to smooth out the complications in a romance. But for gorgeous Mossad operative Delilah and trying-to-retire contract killer John ...

The Detachment

John Rain is back. And “the most charismatic assassin since James Bond” (San Francisco Chronicle) is up against his most formidable enemy yet: the nexus of political, military, media, and corporate factions known only as the Oligarchy. When lege...

Graveyard of Memories

What makes a legendary assassin? For John Rain, it was the lessons of love, war, and betrayal he learned in Tokyo in 1972. Fresh from the killing fields of Southeast Asia, Rain works as a bagman under the watchful eye of his CIA handler, deliverin...

Zero Sum

Returning to Tokyo in 1982 after a decade of mercenary work in the Philippines, a young John Rain learns that the killing business is now controlled by Victor, a half-Russian, half-Japanese sociopath who has ruthlessly eliminated all potential challe...

The Killer Collective

A fast-paced, page-turning novel of betrayal, vengeance, and depraved secrets in high places from the New York Times bestselling author of the John Rain and Livia Lone series. When a joint FBI -- Seattle Police investigation of an international ch...

The Chaos Kind

The assassins of Barry Eisler’s #1 bestseller The Killer Collective are back -- and this time, it’s chaos. Assistant US Attorney Alondra Diaz hates traffickers. And she’s determined to put one of America’s most powerful financiers, Andrew ...

The Chaos Kind (duplicate)

The assassins of Barry Eisler’s #1 bestseller The Killer Collective are back—and this time, it’s chaos.Assistant US Attorney Alondra Diaz hates traffickers. And she’s determined to put one of America’s most powerful fina...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many books are in the john rain series, when will the next book in the john rain series be released, what was the first book written in the john rain series, what genre is the john rain series, top series in political thriller.

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Reading Lists → John Rain

John Rain Books In Order (Full List)

John Rain is a series of 11 books by Barry Eisler. The first book published in the series is A Clean Kill In Tokyo in 2003. Here is a complete list of John Rain books in order.

Last update: November 17, 2023

1. A Clean Kill In Tokyo (2003)

"A Clean Kill In Tokyo" by Barry Eisler is a thrilling and unputdownable espionage novel that takes readers on a high-stakes journey through the streets of Tokyo, packed with intrigue, danger, and a relentless assassin on a quest for justice.

  • 📇 363 Pages
  • 📝 90,750 - 108,900 Words
  • ⏱️ 12 Hours Reading Time
  • Read Amazon Reviews →

2. A Lonely Resurrection (2003)

In A Lonely Resurrection, Barry Eisler's gripping thriller, former CIA operative John Rain is back, taking on the dangerous world of assassinations in Tokyo. Faced with old enemies and new betrayals, Rain must skillfully navigate the shadowy underworld to survive.

  • 📇 352 Pages
  • 📝 88,000 - 105,600 Words

3. Winner Take All (2004)

In "Winner Take All" by Barry Eisler, the protagonist, John Rain, finds himself caught between a Japanese yakuza clan and the CIA, as he navigates a thrilling world of crime, espionage, and high-stakes battles where only one can claim victory.

  • 📇 384 Pages
  • 📝 96,000 - 115,200 Words
  • ⏱️ 13 Hours Reading Time

4. Redemption Games (2005)

In Redemption Games, Barry Eisler takes readers on a thrilling journey alongside assassin-for-hire, John Rain, as he navigates the treacherous world of international espionage, revenge, and self-discovery. Prepare for pulse-pounding action and intricate plot twists, where the lines between hero and villain blur.

5. Extremis (2006)

"Extremis" by Barry Eisler is a gripping and action-packed thriller that follows former assassin John Rain as he uncovers a global conspiracy, putting everything on the line to save his own life and protect those he loves. A heart-pounding page-turner that will leave readers breathless.

6. The Killer Ascendant (2007)

In "The Killer Ascendant" by Barry Eisler, the enigmatic assassin, John Rain, returns for another heart-pounding adventure as he navigates a treacherous web of deceit and betrayal in the seedy world of international espionage. Fast-paced and gripping, this thriller will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

  • 📇 350 Pages
  • 📝 87,500 - 105,000 Words

7. The Detachment (2011)

In Barry Eisler's gripping thriller, "The Detachment," John Rain, the renowned assassin, teams up with a diverse group of skilled operatives to uncover a sinister global conspiracy, risking their lives in a high-stakes battle for justice. A heart-pounding page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

  • 📇 296 Pages
  • 📝 74,000 - 88,800 Words
  • ⏱️ 10 Hours Reading Time

8. Graveyard Of Memories (2014)

In "Graveyard Of Memories" by Barry Eisler, ex-assassin and current private investigator John Rain is forced to confront his darkest past when an old colleague turns up dead, setting him on a treacherous path of suspense and redemption.

  • 📇 344 Pages
  • 📝 86,000 - 103,200 Words
  • ⏱️ 11 Hours Reading Time

9. Zero Sum (2017)

In "Zero Sum" by Barry Eisler, former assassin John Rain finds himself entangled in a treacherous game of corporate espionage as he navigates a world where shadows hold the power to unravel governments and financial systems. A pulse-pounding thriller that will leave readers breathless.

  • 📇 288 Pages
  • 📝 72,000 - 86,400 Words

10. The Killer Collective (2019)

In an explosive thriller by Barry Eisler, the highly skilled assassin, John Rain, joins forces with a group of lethal operatives known as The Killer Collective to take on a powerful enemy set on disrupting global peace. A high-octane ride filled with action, unexpected alliances, and nail-biting suspense.

  • 📇 401 Pages
  • 📝 100,250 - 120,300 Words

11. The Chaos Kind (2021)

In "The Chaos Kind" by Barry Eisler, former assassin John Rain embarks on a dark and treacherous journey across the globe, where he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the world in chaos. Fast-paced and exhilarating, this thriller will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

  • 📇 439 Pages
  • 📝 109,750 - 131,700 Words
  • ⏱️ 15 Hours Reading Time

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Rain Fall - Book #1 of the John Rain

Killing Rain

The Last Assassin - Book #5 of the John Rain

The Last Assassin

Requiem For An Assassin - Book #6 of the John Rain

Requiem For An Assassin

The Detachment - Book #7 of the John Rain

The Detachment

Graveyard of Memories - Book #8 of the John Rain

Graveyard of Memories

Zero Sum - Book #9 of the John Rain

The Killer Collective

Extremis & The Killer Ascendant - Book  of the John Rain

Extremis & The Killer Ascendant

Winner Take All & Redemption Games - Book  of the John Rain

Winner Take All & Redemption Games

A Clean Kill in Tokyo & A Lonely Resurrection - Book  of the John Rain

A Clean Kill in Tokyo & A Lonely Resurrection

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Order of Books

Order of Barry Eisler Books

Barry Eisler

Barry Eisler made his debut as a published author in 2002 with the novel Rain Fall (aka A Clean Kill in Tokyo ). The novel began his John Rain series. Below is a list of Barry Eisler’s books in order of when they were originally published:

Get notified when Barry Eisler releases a new book at BookNotification.com .

Publication Order of John Rain Books

Publication order of ben treven books, publication order of livia lone books, publication order of standalone novels, publication order of short stories/novellas, publication order of non-fiction books, chronological order of barry eisler books.

The chronological order of both series of novels is the same as the publication order.

Notes: Rain Fall was also published under the title A Clean Kill in Tokyo . Hard Rain is also known as Blood from Blood and as A Lonely Resurrection . Rain Storm was also released as Choke Point and as Winner Take All . Killing Rain was also published as One Last Kill and as Redemption Games . The Last Assassin is also known as Extremis . Requiem for an Assassin was also titled The Killer Ascendant . The non-fiction book Be the Monkey was co-authored by J.A. Konrath .

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3 Responses to “Order of Barry Eisler Books”

I love these books but it is maddening that they have 2 or 3 different titles a piece. Ridiculous really.

I like to read series in order. I gave up on the Barry Eisler novels. Try Steve Barry’s Cotton Malone series. Good read and all of his books have, and have had, only one title.

I’m surprised no one has commented. Well, let me tell you, I’ve only got 2 books left to read & I will be sharing all these titles soon as I finish! Thoroughly enjoyed each title!!! ( I read books that are series) Keep up the good work…oh, oh, I see some more titles I need to checkout!

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The Complete List of Barry Eisler Books in Order

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Barry Eisler is the critically acclaimed American author behind the John Rain, Ben Treven, and Livia Lone series.

These high-octane thrillers have sold millions of copies around the globe and made Eisler one of the most recognized names in contemporary fiction.

His gripping tales of soldiers, spy craft, and assassins are set in some of the world’s most exotic locations, with plenty of steamy sex and a cast of unforgettable characters.

So, if you love heart-pounding, X-rated, edge-of-your-seat action, then you won’t want to miss this bestselling author’s work.

Table of Contents

Barry Eisler Books

Barry Eisler has written three book series, two standalone titles, several short stories, and two nonfiction books , and in this post, I’ll list them all in order.

But first, let’s learn a little more about Eisler and his life and career so far.

Who is Barry Eisler?

Barry Eisler was born and raised in New Jersey. And while he loved reading as a child , he wouldn’t become an author until later in life.

Instead, he studied law at Cornell, and immediately after graduating, he joined the CIA, where he held a top-secret position for three years with the Directorate of Operations. 

During his time with the secret service, he learned various spycraft skills, including surveillance and countersurveillance, interrogation techniques, and explosives handling, all activities which would later inform his bestselling books.

Towards the end of his CIA career, Eisler was transferred to Japan. He loved the country so much that he stayed there for several years after he resigned.

As a regular civilian, he finally had time to immerse himself in Japanese culture. So, he learned the language and earned a black belt at Tokyo’s Kodokan International Judo Center.

Meanwhile, he put his law degree to good use and began working for the Hamada and Matsumoto law firm. There, he mingled with the Japanese business elite, and eventually, he headed to Osaka, where he worked as an in-house counsel for Matsushita Electric and Industrial.

In 1999, Barry Eisler returned to the United States and headed to Silicon Valley to become a start-up exec. And over the next few years, he began penning novels in his spare time.

But his transition to becoming a full-time author wasn’t easy. Multiple publishers rejected his first manuscript, and it took several rewrites before his debut novel, Rain Fall, finally hit the shelves in 2003.

This was the first book in what would become the hugely popular John Rain series, and over the next few years, he was able to quit his day job and begin writing full-time.

His career quickly gained traction, and his gripping reads went on to win multiple awards, including the Barry Award for Best Thriller and the Gumshoe Award.

Since then, he’s become one of the most popular thriller writers in America. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages and sold millions of copies around the globe.

Publishers have been desperate to snap him up, but in 2011, Eisler made headlines after turning down a highly lucrative advance from St. Martin’s Press in favor of self-publishing his own work.

The author was tired of compromising creative control and wanted more freedom to write his novels in the way he saw fit. And so, when he earned back the rights to his earlier John Rain novels, he changed the previous publishers’ titles to titles he felt better reflected the stories in the books.

These days, Barry Eisler is still penning his bestselling novels and also writes regular blogs and articles for the likes of The Huffington Post, MichaelMoore.com, and The Smirking Chimp.

And recently, he delighted his readers by publishing a brand new standalone title, Dox.

So, now that we know a little more about Barry Eisler, let’s explore this fascinating author’s work. Here’s a full list of every book he’s ever published in order.

The John Rain Books

Barry Eisler’s most popular series stars John Rain, a former Special Forces and CIA agent who now works as a freelance assassin.

Rain willingly provides services to any paying client, but to keep things ‘ethical,’ they must meet certain conditions.

  • Rule number 1: No women or children.
  • Rule number 2: No secondary assassins targeting the same hit.
  • And Rule Number 3: Principal actors only. For example, no hits on a target’s loved ones in order to send a message.

Rain has years of experience taking down dangerous enemies, and he specializes in making it look like his victims died of natural causes rather than at the hands of an assassin. And so, as a freelance operative, his skills are in high demand.

The John Rain Books in Order

You have two options when it comes to reading the John Rain books. You can either follow along with the original publication order or read the books in chronological order. 

Publication Order

  • A Clean Kill in Tokyo (2003) (originally published as Rain Fall)
  • A Lonely Resurrection (2004) (originally published as Hard Rain)
  • Winner Take All (2005) (originally published as Rain Storm)
  • Redemption Games (2006) (originally published as Killing Rain)
  • Extremis (2007) (originally published as The Last Assassin)
  • The Killer Ascendant (2008) (originally published as Requiem for an Assassin)
  • Paris Is A Bitch (short story) (2011)
  • The Detachment (also Book #3 in the Ben Treven series) (2011)
  • Graveyard of Memories (2014)
  • Zero Sum (2017)
  • The Killer Collective (2019)
  • The Chaos Kind (2021)

Chronological Order

  • Graveyard of Memories (2014) (prequel #1) 
  • Zero Sum (2017) (prequel #2)  
  • A Clean Kill in Tokyo (2003) (first published as Rain Fall)
  • A Lonely Resurrection (2004) (first published as Hard Rain)
  • Winner Take All (2005) (first published as Rain Storm)
  • Redemption Games (2006) (first published as Killing Rain)
  • Extremis (2007) (first published as The Last Assassin)
  • The Killer Ascendant (2008) (first published as Requiem for an Assassin)
  • Paris Is A Bitch (2011) (short story)
  • The Detachment (2011) (also Book #3 in the Ben Treven series )

The Ben Treven Books

This four-part series follows the adventures of elite black ops soldier Ben Treven, a Military Liaison Element working for the CIA to bring down some of America’s deadliest enemies.

In book one, Ben is living a lonely existence. He’s estranged from his family, and black ops are all he knows, but when his long-lost brother, Alex, reaches out to him for help, he immediately leaps into action.

Alex is being hunted by an assassin, and he knows that the only person who can save him is his brother. And so, despite the bygones of the past, Ben races to San Francisco to stop the killer before it’s too late.

The Ben Treven Books in Reading and Publication Order

To get the most out of the Ben Trevin series, it’s best to read the books in the order they were published, listed below.

  • Fault Line (2009)
  • Inside Out (2010)
  • The Detachment (2011) (also part of the John Rain series)
  • The Killer Collective (2019) (also part of the Livia Lone series)

The Livia Lone Books

Livia Lone is a sex crimes detective with the Seattle Police Department. She spends her days hunting monsters who abuse women, and she knows these monsters well.

As a child, Livia and her younger sister, Nason, were sold to sex traffickers by their Thai parents. The girls were taken to the US, but it was far from the American dream she’d heard about growing up. Instead, she and her sister were tortured and abused by the men who held them captive.

Ultimately, Livia escaped, but Nason was still missing. And so, Livia has made it her life’s work to find her sister and seek revenge on those who harmed her.

The Livia Lone Books in Reading and Publication Order

To get the most out of the Livia Lone series, it’s best to read the book in the order they were published, listed below.

  • Livia Lone (2016)
  • The Night Trade (2018)
  • The Killer Collective (2019) (also part of the Ben Traven series)
  • All The Devils (2019)

Barry Eisler’s Standalone Novels

Alongside the three action-packed series above, Barry Eisler also has two standalone novels to explore.

The latest release, Dox, stars a familiar character from the John Rain series and digs deeper into his backstory.

Below, you’ll find Eisler’s standalone titles in the order they were published.

  • The God’s Eye View (2016)
  • Amok (2022)

Barry Eisler’s Short Stories And Novellas

Barry Eisler is best known for his full-length novels, but he’s also penned three shorter reads too. Here they are in the order they were published.

  • The Lost Coast (2011)
  • The Khmer Kill (2012)
  • London Twist (2013)

Barry Eisler’s Non-Fiction Books

Alongside his bestselling fiction novels, Eisler has also written two nonfiction books, both of which echo his views on publishing and politics which he shares in his online blogs. 

Here they are in the order they were published.

  • Be the Monkey (2011)
  • The Ass is a Poor Receptacle for the Head (2011)

Barry Eisler is one of the most electrifying thriller authors of today, and if you haven’t read his gripping tales of crime, mystery, and espionage, I highly recommend you give them a try.

Are you already a fan of Eisler’s work? If so, what’s your favorite book? Let me know in the comments below!

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John Rain Books in Order (14 Book Series)

John Rain is a series of 14 books written by Barry Eisler. Here, you can see them all in order! (plus the year each book was published)

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  • John Rain Books in Order

A Clean Kill in Tokyo

John rain, book 1.

Barry Eisler

A Lonely Resurrection

John rain, book 2, winner take all, john rain, book 3, redemption games, john rain, book 4, john rain, book 5, the killer ascendant, john rain, book 6, paris is a bitch, john rain, book 7, the detachment, john rain, book 8, the khmer kill, john rain, book 9, london twist, john rain, book 10, graveyard of memories, john rain, book 11, john rain, book 12, the killer collective, john rain, book 13, john rain, book 14.

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14 books in this series

Can you help me understand what the John Rain series of Eisler books is about?

Of course! The John Rain series, authored by Barry Eisler, is a collection of novels featuring the titular character, John Rain, an assassin with a knack for making his victims' deaths look like natural causes. The series is widely appreciated for its gripping storytelling and realistic depiction of the spy and assassin world.

How does the author Barry Eisler portray John Rain in his novels?

Barry Eisler, the John Rain author, has brilliantly portrayed Rain as a finely nuanced character. Throughout the series, Rain is depicted as an emotionally complex man, grappling with his role as an assassin. The author has also imbued Rain with an impressive expertise in martial arts and an intimate knowledge of many global cities - traits that greatly contribute to his success as a killer.

What is the reading order of the John Rain series of novels?

For the best experience, it's recommended you read the John Rain novels in the order they were originally published. Starting with "Rain Fall" (also known as "A Clean Kill in Tokyo"), followed by "Hard Rain" (or "A Lonely Resurrection"), "Rain Storm" (or "Winner Take All"), "Killing Rain" (or "One Last Kill"), "The Last Assassin", "Requiem for an Assassin", "The Detachment", "Graveyard of Memories", "Zero Sum", and the latest book, "The Killer Collective".

Are there any secondary characters in the John Rain series that deserve a mention?

Absolutely! Eisler's books are populated with compelling characters. One of them is Dox, an ex-marine sniper who becomes Rain's unlikely ally. Another is Delilah, a Mossad agent and a romantic interest of Rain. Then there's Livia Lone, a sex-crimes detective with her own series of novels.

Where can I find these John Rain novels? Are they available in both hardcover and paperback?

Yes, the John Rain novels are available in both hardcover and paperback formats. They can also be found digitally on Kindle. You can view details, add them to your menu shelve, and even get a sense of the shelf rate on online stores like Amazon.

How well-liked are the John Rain books and their author?

The John Rain books have a high shelf rate among readers, meaning they are often picked up and hardly ever left to gather dust. The author, Barry Eisler, is highly regarded for his ability to weave intricate plots and create multidimensional characters - particularly his complex assassin, John Rain.

Are the Eisler books including the John Rain series classified as fiction?

Yes, the Eisler books, including the John Rain series, are classified as thriller fiction. While the author's experience as a CIA operative lends an air of authenticity to the novels, the stories, characters, and events are all products of Eisler's imagination.

Is there any romance in the John Rain series?

Indeed, there is a touch of romance in the John Rain series, although it's definitely not the dominant theme. Rain's relationship with Delilah, for instance, adds a layer of complexity to his character, showing that even an assassin can have a softer side.

How can I keep up with the latest John Rain book or other related novels by the same author?

You can always check Amazon view for the latest book in the John Rain series along with other works by the same author, Barry Eisler. By choosing to "view details", you'll stay updated on new releases, special editions, and more.

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Barry Eisler

Books in order.

Barry Eisler Books in Order

  • The Gumshoe Award.
  • Barry Award for Best Thriller

Barry Eisler Book List & Suggested Book Order

Barry eisler interview.

Barry discusses his time in the CIA and how it helps him write his books, especially his John Rain series. He also mentions Tokyo, where the first John Rain book was set.

Barry Eisler Biography

Barry Eisler was born in the year 1964. On what day is not public knowledge. The month is a mystery. The only thing that is definite, is that year of 1964.

Barry’s father was a wholesale supplier of office equipment and his mother was an environmental activist. He was born in New Jersey, which is a state in the North of the United States of America and on the Atlantic coast.

Very little is known about Barry’s very early life – nothing about his schooling, nothing about his hobbies, nothing about family life. One tiny snippet that is known is that Barry enjoyed reading thrillers and spy stories as a young boy. It isn’t until his college years that it’s possible to catch up with him and see what he was up to. He attended Cornell Law School, the law department of Cornell University, which is private Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York. Ithaca is in the west of New York State, closer to the Great Lakes than Manhattan.

During his college days, Barry became very interested in foreign policy and international relations, particularly those aspects which the government didn’t want widely known. After studying law, Barry graduated from Cornell in 1989. It was at this point that he got a job with the CIA…

To continue reading, get the full 1000-word biography in Barry Eisler Books In Order .

If you love Barry Eisler’s books you need the most comprehensive book list available, which includes a check list, alternative titles, page counts, movie adaptations, co-authors, star ratings, and a host of other features, plus:

  • John Rain series in order
  • John Rain short stories in order
  • Ben Treven books in order
  • a complete list of short stories, standalone novels & nonfiction

Get Barry Eisler Books In Order .

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Why Read the Barry Eisler John Rain Books in Order?

Author Barry Eisler’s most famous creation is a subtle killer who gives his name to the series - the John Rain series. Initially, each of the books had a title which used a play on words around the hero’s surname, for example, books #1, #2, and #3 in the series were originally published under the titles Rain Fall, Hard Rain, and Rain Storm. Barry’s other series centers around the hero Ben Treven.

This Barry Eisler book list gives all the Barry Eisler books in chronological order, so lets you see the characters develop and witness events at the correct time, just as Barry intended.

So, if ever you've wondered about the John Rain book order, here it is.

john rain books in order

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Books In Order

John Rain Books In Order

John rain books in publication order.

  • Rain Fall/A Clean Kill in Tokyo (2003)
  • Hard Rain / Blood from Blood / A Lonely Resurrection (2003)
  • Rain Storm (2004)
  • Killing Rain / One Last Kill / Redemption Games (2005)
  • The Last Assassin / Extremis (2006)
  • Requiem For an Assassin / The Killer Ascendant (2007)
  • Paris Is A Bit*ch (2011)
  • The Detachment (2011)
  • Graveyard of Memories (2014)
  • Zero Sum (2017)
  • The Killer Collective (2019)
  • The Chaos Kind (2021)

John Rain Book Covers

Rain Fall/A Clean Kill in Tokyo

John Rain Books Overview

Rain fall/a clean kill in tokyo.

Enthusiastic publishers around the world have become enthralled by John Rain, a strikingly fresh new thriller hero destined to be one of the most talked about of the season. Born of an American mother and a Japanese father, Rain is a businessman based in Tokyo, living a life of meticulously planned anonymity. There are few who know who he is or what he does. Trained by the U.S. Special Forces and a veteran of Vietnam, he is a cool, self contained loner and he has built a steady business over the past twenty five years specializing in death by ‘natural causes.’ After the assassination of a government official in a crowded subway car, Rain’s carefully ordered world comes under siege. Agents within and without the international intelligence communities have been circling him for some time and, having connected him to the subway incident, may now have the scent they have been seeking. At the same time, Rain is drawn outside his private world by an alluring jazz pianist, the dead man’s daughter, who is the key to the very secrets her father was trying to reveal when he died.

Hard Rain / Blood from Blood / A Lonely Resurrection

John Rain half Japanese, half American, raised in both countries but at home in neither is trying to leave his life as a freelance assassin. After killing a CIA officer who hunted him halfway around the globe, Rain goes underground, hoping to find the peace that has eluded him. But then Tatsu, his old nemesis from the Japanese FBI, comes to him with one last job: to find and eliminate a killer at large, a creature with neither compassion nor compunction, whose activities could tip the balance of power in Japan’s corrupt politics and who seems to have designs on Rain’s few friends. To protect them, Rain will have to pursue his most dangerous quarry yet through the crosshairs of the CIA and the Japanese mafia, where the differences between friend and foe and truth and deceit are as murky as the rain slicked streets of Tokyo. /Content /EditorialReview EditorialReview Source Amazon. com Review /Source Content Barry Eisler’s half breed freelance assassin John Rain returns to Tokyo for a second outing in Hard Rain , the sequel to Eisler’s stunning 2002 debut, Rain Fall . Once again Rain is working with, or at least parallel to, Tatsu, a wily veteran of Japan’s FBI equivalent, who aims to cleanse the Japanese government of its systemic corruption. To further this goal, he’s persuaded the ever cautious Rain to take out Murakami, a brutal gangster and hitman who specializes in making his killings look like suicide, a specialty Rain thought was his alone. Liquidating the dangerous and elusive Murakami proves to be a difficult task, however, one that leads to personal loss for Rain, and sets the plot on course for a climax that hits with the power of a well delivered roundhouse kick.

Eisler builds on Rain’s self enforced isolation and loneliness as he expertly shows the reader Tokyo as channeled by Chandler, transforming the burgeoning metropolis into a noir catacomb of dimly lit hostess bars, scheming bureaucrats, shadowy intelligence agents, and outlaw martial arts dojos where thugged up yakuza train for illicit death matches.

While the plot becomes complicated toward the novel’s conclusion, Rain is a refreshing and complex character whom readers will want to see return for another installment. If you’ve a yen for a thriller that mixes suspense, intrigue, and action with a Japanese flavor and a hardboiled American attitude, Eisler’s Hard Rain is an excellent choice. Benjamin Reese

Critics praised Barry Eisler’s first two novels, Rain Fall and Hard Rain, calling Japanese American John Rain, the cynical, romantic, conscientious assassin, ‘one of the most memorable characters in recent thrillers’ San Jose Mercury News and ‘a remarkable creation, a multifaceted killer with the soul of a poet’ Mystery Ink. In Rain Storm , Rain has fled to Brazil to escape the killing business and the enemies who have been encircling him. But his knack for making death seem to have been of ‘natural causes’ and his ability to operate unnoticed in Asia continue to create unwelcome demand for his services. His old employer, the CIA, persuades him to take on a high risk assignment: a ruthless arms dealer supplying criminal groups throughout Southeast Asia. The upside? Financial, of course, along with the continued chimera of moral redemption. But first, Rain must survive the downside: a second assassin homing in on the target; the target’s consort an alluring woman named Delilah with an agenda of her own; and the possibility that the entire mission is nothing but an elaborate setup. From the gorgeous beaches of Rio to the glitzy casinos of Macao to the gritty back streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon, Rain becomes a reluctant player in an international game far deadlier and more insidious than he has ever encountered before.

Killing Rain / One Last Kill / Redemption Games

No one but Japanese American assassin John Rain can win the game of cross and double cross he encounters in this new novel of sexy international intrigue in the series. Torn between his past as a soldier and his vocation as a killer, longing for attachment but forced to operate alone, and haunted by the fear that one day there must be a reckoning for the things he has done, John Rain moves like a dark ghost through Tokyo and the other urban landscapes in which his Asian features enable him to operate undetected. His ability to make death appear to have been of ‘natural causes’ keeps his reluctant services in constant demand. In Killing Rain, Rain has a new employer, the Mossad which needs an operator who can remove ‘problems’ in Asia and a new partner: Dox, the ex marine sniper and party animal first introduced in Rain Storm. He also has a new hope that by using his fearsome talents in the service of something good, he might atone for all the lives he has already taken. But when Rain’s freshly awakened conscience causes him to botch an assignment, turning what should have been a surgical hit into a massacre, he finds himself running both from the Mossad and from the CIA. Can he trust Delilah, the alluring Israeli agent whom he once fought and then loved, to save him now?

The Last Assassin / Extremis

When John Rain, the Japanese/American ‘contract killer with a conscience’ Entertainment Weekly, learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, he senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption. But Midori is being watched by Rain’s enemies, and his sudden appearance puts mother and child in terrible danger. To save them, Rain is forced to use the same deadly talents he had been hoping to leave behind. With the help of Tatsu, his friendly nemesis in the Japanese FBI, and Dox, the ex marine sniper whose good ol boy persona masks a killer as deadly as Rain himself, Rain races against time to bring his enemies into the open and eliminate them forever. But to finish the job, he ll need one more ally: Israeli intelligence agent Delilah, a woman who represents an altogether different kind of threat… Filled with ‘action packed scenes worthy of a Jerry Bruckheimer film’ Sun Sentinel, The Last Assassin is Barry Eisler s most ambitious and most satisfying book yet.

Requiem For an Assassin / The Killer Ascendant

If you had to kill three people to save your best friend’s life, would you do it? When John Rain decides to get out of the business, his hand is forced by rogue CIA operative Jim Hilger. Hilger kidnaps Dox, Rain’s trusted partner and closest friend, and offers Rain a choice: carry out a final assignment, or bear the responsibility for Dox’s murder. For a professional like John Rain, the choice ought to be easy: Do the job a series of three hits then walk away. But how does Rain know Jim Hilger won’t kill Dox anyway, once the assignment is complete? How does he know that each of the hits isn’t simultaneously a setup for Rain himself? And what will he do when he finds out that among the targets of this lethal game of extortion is someone else Rain cares about deeply? From the urban canyons of Silicon Valley and New York to the lush forests of Bali, the boulevards of Paris, and the old killing fields of Vietnam, Rain must grapple with his age, his enemies, and most of all, his conscience in a battle that not even Rain ‘the stuff great characters are made of’ Entertainment Weekly can hope to survive intact.

The Detachment

John Rain is back. And the most charismatic assassin since James Bond San Francisco Chronicle is up against his most formidable enemy yet: the nexus of political, military, media, and corporate factions known only as the Oligarchy. When legendary black ops veteran Colonel Scott Hort Horton tracks Rain down in Tokyo, Rain can t resist the offer: a multi million dollar payday for the natural causes demise of three ultra high profile targets who are dangerously close to launching a coup in America. But the opposition on this job is going to be too much for even Rain to pull it off alone. He ll need a detachment of other deniable irregulars: his partner, the former Marine sniper, Dox. Ben Treven, a covert operator with ambivalent motives and conflicted loyalties. And Larison, a man with a hair trigger and a secret he ll kill to protect. From the shadowy backstreets of Tokyo and Vienna, to the deceptive glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and finally to a Washington, D.C. in a permanent state of war, these four lone wolf killers will have to survive presidential hit teams, secret CIA prisons, and a national security state as obsessed with guarding its own secrets as it is with invading the privacy of the populace. But first, they ll have to survive each other. The Detachment is what fans of Eisler, one of the most talented and literary writers in the thriller genre Chicago Sun Times, have been waiting for: the worlds of the award winning Rain series, and of the bestselling Fault Line and Inside Out, colliding in one explosive thriller as real as today’s headlines and as frightening as tomorrow s.

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The Ultimate Guide To Reading John Rain Books In Order

Barry Eisler is the creator of the fictional character John Rain.

He is an assassin available for hire and he is present in 14 of Eisler’s novels. He specializes in ensuring that his victims appear to have died of natural causes. 

Barry Eisler, who was born in 1964 is a fantastic American novelist. He has written two successful thriller series.

The John Rain series was very successful and it marked the start of his full-time writing career. The first novel in the series was published in 2003 named Rain Fall.

John Rain is the reason that the novels became so successful as everyone was fascinated with this assassin who is only willing to serve a client on his own terms.

One of his main terms is that he won’t carry out any hits on women or children.

Rain is one of the top assassins in the world, and the novels leave people wanting to hear more about this fascinating character.

About The John Rain Series

John Rain is a fantastic fictional character. He is a very successful assassin specializing in ensuring his assassinations look natural. 

The character of John Rain has a very fascinating backstory, as he is a Vietnam War veteran who has worked with the Special Forces and the CIA.

Rain has three rules when he accepts clients. He accepts no women or children, he doesn’t allow any secondary team to work on the same assassinations as him and he only carries out hits on principal actors only.

This means he won’t carry out any assassinations designed to send a message. 

The series follows this character on his interesting journey.

This novel is the first in the series. In this novel, the audience is introduced to the Japanese-American assassin.

You learn his work ethos and his specialization which lies in ‘natural cause’ killings. 

In this novel we see Rain become falsely connected to a government official’s murder. In this novel, Rain sees some complications as he is attracted to the victim’s daughter.

  • A great introduction to the series.
  • Involves romance, mystery, and lots more.
  • This novel has been made into a movie.
  • Some of the storylines can be quite heavy.

In this novel we see John Rain trying to end his career as a hired assassin.

He goes underground and into hiding but he is later approached by a Japanese FBI agent named Tatsu. 

Tatsu approaches him because he is hoping to eliminate a sociopathic killer. This killer holds potential danger as he could change the balance of power in Japan.

  • You see some raw emotion in this novel.
  • The novel contains some very long descriptions.

In this novel, John Rain reluctantly takes an assignment with the CIA.

He has been set to take out an arms dealer who has been supplying arms to a Southeast Asian criminal group. 

This assignment isn’t a straightforward one as the job becomes compromised by a rival assassin.

It is also compromised for Rain by the dealer’s girlfriend and a few other obstacles.  

  • The storylines are very exciting in this story.
  • Some readers have found it to be quite long-winded.

Killing Rain

In Killing Rain, the Mossad is John Rain’s new employer. The Mossad wants Rain to assassinate Dox.

He is a dangerous man who has a sniper that is just as deadly as Rains.

He is hoping to use his talents to achieve something good as he is hoping to atone for some of the lives that he has already taken. 

Rain’s conscience gets in the way in this novel.

Delilah, the alluring Israeli agent who he was in love with comes back into his life and the readers are left wondering whether she’s there to help him or to finish him off!

  • The storyline is interwoven and very interesting.
  • Some readers find the descriptions too long-winded.

The Last Assassin

In this novel, John Rain learns some interesting information about his previous lover, Midori.

She has been raising his child in New York and he is hoping to be reconciled with them both.

He sees it as a potential chance for redemption, too. However, Midori is in danger because Rain’s enemies are keeping a close eye on his child and their mother. 

If Rain shows up suddenly, both mother and child may be in danger, so he has to figure out how to play it.

  • A very exciting story that is very raw.
  • Quite slow to get going.

Requiem For An Assassin

In this novel you see John Rain experiencing blackmail. He has a choice to see his best friend murdered or carry out three assassinations.

Rain struggles with this moral dilemma and he is very reluctant to take either of these paths. 

Rain also worries that the whole thing is a setup, and he considers what this could mean for them both.

This novel takes you through lots of different settings, from Bali to Paris, New York to Vietnam. 

  • This is a very raw story.
  • Some of the descriptions are very long-winded.

Paris Is A Bitch

Delilah and John Rain attempt a romantic dinner for two on the Ile Saint Louis, but nothing is easy for this couple.

When Rain notices some men working outside the restaurant he realizes that he may have ended up mixing business and pleasure in a very dangerous way.

  • The setting of this story is fantastic as it is set in Paris.
  • The descriptions of Paris are very rambling at times.

The Detachment

In this John Rain novel, you will see Rain up against his most dangerous enemy known as the Oligarchy. 

When the black ops veteran named Colonel Scott Horton finds Rain in Tokyo, he manages to convince Rain to take up an offer.

However, the opposition that he will face in this job makes it impossible to face alone.

This story will take you through Tokyo, Vienna, and Los Angeles, as well as many other places.

  • This is a very fun read, with great characterization. 
  • Can be rambly and long-winded at times.

Graveyard Of Memories

This John Rain novel is a great one that sees Rain in the crossfire of the yakuza clan.

He finds himself in a moral conundrum again as he attempts to make a deal with his handler. 

Rain spends much of the novel playing cat and mouse with the yakuza. He becomes entangled with a beautiful Korean woman who is wheelchair-bound.

The demands of his work come in the way of their love, so Rain will have to make a choice.

  • Received great reviews.
  • Similar story to others in the series.

The next book in the John Rain series is set in 1982 in Tokyo. It follows Rain’s conflicted heart and sees a battle between a master and an apprentice.

In this novel Rain has a choice: to kill a government minister or experience a very painful death.

  • This story is filled with raw emotion. 
  • If you haven’t read any other John Rain novels, you will struggle to understand everything.

The Killer Collective

In this novel, the FBI and Seattle police are looking into a case of international child pornography. Livia Lone is the target of a hit that goes very badly. 

Livia suspects that the FBI was behind the attack and she assembles a group to identify the threat. Rain, Delilah, and some black ops soldiers band together. 

  • This novel differs from the others in the series.
  • It is repetitive at times.

The Chaos Kind

This is the final novel in the John Rain series. The Assistant US Attorney known as Alondra Diaz is in this story and she is determined to put Andrew Schrader in prison for his crimes against children. 

Schrader has some videos that put some very important members of the US national security state in a bad position.

A large number of people pull together to get their hands on the videos and what they represent. It is very possible that they will succeed on the side of good.

  • Fantastic reviews.
  • Some repetitive stories.

Final Thoughts

The John Rain series is a fantastic series that follows the assassin John Rain.

It follows this assassin as he struggles with some moral dilemmas and faces some romantic situations. 

This series is 14 novels in length and each one explores a new story that John Rain is the center of. The series is written by Barry Eisler and is very successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many novels are in the john rain series.

There are 14 novels in the John Rain series. These novels all place John Rain at the center of the series, and they follow his experiences as a trained assassin.

Who Wrote The John Rain Series?

The John Rain series is written by Barry Eisler. He is the creator of the fictional character who is available for hire.

He battles with moral dilemmas throughout the series.

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  3. Full John Rain Book Series by Barry Eisler

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  5. John Rain Books in Order (14 Book Series)

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COMMENTS

  1. John Rain

    John Rain - Book Series In Order John Rain Books In Order Publication Order of John Rain Books About John Rain: John Rain was created by Barry Eisler, and he has quickly become an assassin that everybody enjoys reading about. Not just your average assassin, John Rain follows a code all of his own.

  2. John Rain Series by Barry Eisler

    A list of 11 books in the John Rain series by Barry Eisler, a Japanese-American international assassin. The series follows his adventures in Tokyo and other locations, from 1982 to 2021. Each book has a rating, a summary, and a link to read it on Goodreads.

  3. Order of John Rain Books

    Find out the order of John Rain books by Barry Eisler, the half-Japanese, half-American ex US Special Forces member and action thriller series protagonist. The list includes the titles, publication dates, and notes of the nine books in the series, from Rain Fall to The Chaos Kind.

  4. John Rain Books in Order: How to read Barry Eisler's series?

    Extremis —previously published as The Last Assassin. When John Rain learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, Rain senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption. But Midori and the child are being watched by Rain's enemies, and Rain's sudden appearance puts them in terrible danger.

  5. Barry Eisler

    Hard Rain / Blood from Blood / A Lonely Resurrection. (2003) Hardcover Paperback Kindle. Rain Storm / Choke Point / Winner Take All. (2004) Hardcover Paperback Kindle. Killing Rain / One Last Kill / Redemption Games. (2005) Hardcover Paperback Kindle.

  6. John Rain Series in Order by Barry Eisler

    $20 / year FictionDB Premium Membership Subscribe Series list: John Rain (13 Books) by Barry Eisler. A sortable list in reading order and chronological order with publication date, genre, and rating.

  7. John Rain Books In Order (Full List)

    Reading Lists → John Rain . John Rain Books In Order (Full List) John Rain is a series of 11 books by Barry Eisler. The first book published in the series is A Clean Kill In Tokyo in 2003. Here is a complete list of John Rain books in order. Last update: October 25, 2023

  8. John Rain

    Delilah A Mossad operative, smart, sexy, and sophisticated. She was born in Haifa, Israel and speaks fluent Hebrew. She stands about 5'10" and has cobalt blue eyes. Her profession with the Mossad is to seduce potential terrorists and gather information about them, to enable their assassinations.

  9. John Rain (10 book series) Kindle Edition

    John Rain (10 books) Kindle Edition by Barry Eisler (Author) Kindle Hardcover Paperback Mass Market Paperback For most couples, a quiet dinner for two at Auberge de la Reine Blanche on the Ile Saint Louis would be just the thing to smooth out the complications in a romance.

  10. John Rain Book Series

    John Rain. Authors: Barry Eisler. Related Series: Livia Lone, Ben Treven, Dox Thriller. The John Rain book series by Barry Eisler includes books Rain Fall, Hard Rain, Rain Storm, and several more. See the complete John Rain series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles.

  11. Barry Eisler Books in Order: John Rain series, John Rain short stories

    John Rain books in order John Rain short stories in order Ben Treven books in order Livia Lone series in order a complete list of short stories, standalone novels & nonfiction plus, a Barry Eisler biography.

  12. Order of Barry Eisler Books

    Publication Order of John Rain Books Publication Order of Ben Treven Books Publication Order of Livia Lone Books Publication Order of Standalone Novels Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books Chronological Order of Barry Eisler Books

  13. Barry Eisler

    Barry Mark Eisler (born 1964) is a best-selling American novelist.He is the author of two thriller series, the first featuring anti-hero John Rain, a half-Japanese, half-American former soldier turned freelance assassin, and a second featuring black ops soldier Ben Treven. Eisler also writes about politics and language on his blog Heart of the Matter, and at the blogs CHUD, Firedoglake, The ...

  14. The Complete List of Barry Eisler Books in Order

    January 3, 2023 by Grace Plant This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. Barry Eisler is the critically acclaimed American author behind the John Rain, Ben Treven, and Livia Lone series.

  15. John Rain Books in Order (14 Book Series)

    John Rain is a series of 14 books written by Barry Eisler, a thriller author. The series follows the adventures of John Rain, a former CIA assassin who works for a private security firm in Tokyo. The books are published from 2003 to 2021 and can be read in order of publication date.

  16. John Rain Books

    OTHER BOOK SERIES YOU MAY LIKE Many John Rain fans also like the " Jonathan Quinn " series of novels by Brett Battles. These novels are mystery detective series in which Quinn is a cold and calculating assassin that does freelance work for the Office a super secretive US intelligence agency.

  17. Barry Eisler Books in Order (inc. John Rain Books in Order)

    Books in Order. Name: Barry Mark Eisler. Born: 1964. Place of birth: New Jersey, USA. Resides: San Francisco, California, USA. First book: Rain Fall. Previous employment: lawyer. Fun fact #1: Barry worked for the CIA in a covert position. Fun fact #2: Barry is a black belt in judo.

  18. Barry Eisler Books in Order: John Rain series, John Rai…

    Barry Eisler Books in Order: John Rain series, John Rain short stories, Ben Treven series, Livia Lone books, all short stories, standalone novels and nonfiction, ... plus a biography. ... As a reader who literally 2 hours ago discovered Eisler's mystery thriller universe (starring the characters John Rain, Ben Treven & Livia Lone), I happened ...

  19. John Rain Books In Order

    John Rain Books In Publication Order Rain Fall/A Clean Kill in Tokyo (2003) Hard Rain / Blood from Blood / A Lonely Resurrection (2003) Rain Storm (2004) Killing Rain / One Last Kill / Redemption Games (2005) The Last Assassin / Extremis (2006) Requiem For an Assassin / The Killer Ascendant (2007) Paris Is A Bit*ch (2011) The Detachment (2011)

  20. A Lonely Resurrection (John Rain, #2) by Barry Eisler

    Hard Rain, previously published as A Lonely Resurrection and Blood from Blood, is the second book in the John Rain series about a half American, half Japanese contract killer with a code working in Tokyo. I don't think it's essential to read these in order, but there are various returning characters from the first book and Rain's ...

  21. The Detachment (A John Rain Novel) Kindle Edition

    John Rain is back. And "the most charismatic assassin since James Bond" (San Francisco Chronicle) is up against his most formidable enemy yet: the nexus of political, military, media, and corporate factions known only as the Oligarchy.When legendary black ops veteran Colonel Scott "Hort" Horton tracks Rain down in Tokyo, Rain can't resist the offer: a multi-million dollar payday for ...

  22. The Ultimate Guide To Reading John Rain Books In Order

    Table of Contents Show He is an assassin available for hire and he is present in 14 of Eisler's novels. He specializes in ensuring that his victims appear to have died of natural causes. Barry Eisler, who was born in 1964 is a fantastic American novelist. He has written two successful thriller series.

  23. Amazon.com: John Rain

    Barry Eisler Books in Order: John Rain series, John Rain short stories, Ben Treven series, Livia Lone books, all short stories, standalone novels and nonfiction, ... plus a biography. (Series Order Book 55) Book 47 of 74: Series Order | by Book List Guru | Dec 14, 2017. 3.4 out of 5 stars 48.