Scott Lynch Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide
Author of the Gentleman Bastard sequence — the most theatrical and witty heist fantasy in the genre.
About Scott Lynch
Scott Lynch published The Lies of Locke Lamora in 2006 to immediate critical acclaim, and the book announced one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary fantasy: theatrical, witty, unafraid of darkness, and genuinely in love with the heist as narrative form. The city of Camorr — modelled loosely on Venice, built with an urbanist's eye for how criminal hierarchies and legitimate power actually share a city — is one of fantasy's great settings, and Locke Lamora himself is among its most compelling protagonists: a brilliant, self-destructive con artist who narrates his own legend even as events conspire to take it apart. Red Seas Under Red Skies and The Republic of Thieves expanded the world while deepening the relationship between Locke and his partner Jean Tannen — one of the most quietly moving friendships in the genre. The fourth book, The Thorn of Emberlain, was announced years ago and remains unfinished.
Where to Start
Start with The Lies of Locke Lamora. The Gentleman Bastard sequence must be read in publication order — each book follows directly from the previous. The Lies of Locke Lamora is one of the strongest debut novels in fantasy and works as a standalone if you want to test the waters before committing to the series.
Scott Lynch Books in Order
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence
Must be read in order. Three of the planned seven books have been published.
- 1
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Gentleman Bastard, Book 1 · 2006
In the city of Camorr — a Renaissance Venice of thieves' guilds, corrupt nobility, and elaborate criminal hierarchies — a gang of highly trained con artists called the Gentleman Bastards run increasingly ambitious heists while a mysterious figure called the Grey King begins eliminating the city's criminal leadership. Lynch's debut is one of the finest heist fantasies ever written: theatrical, funny, dark when it needs to be, and built on characters you'll be loyal to long after the last page.
Note: Start here. The series must be read in order.
- 2
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Gentleman Bastard, Book 2 · 2007
Locke and Jean have fled Camorr and arrived in Tal Verrar, where they've set their sights on the Sinspire — the city's most exclusive, most heavily guarded gambling house — while being simultaneously conscripted into a plan they want nothing to do with. Lynch expands the world with a nautical second act that balances heist plotting with genuine seafaring adventure. The relationship between Locke and Jean deepens considerably.
- 3
The Republic of Thieves
Gentleman Bastard, Book 3 · 2013
Locke and Jean are finally called to account by the Bondsmagi — the terrifying magical guild who have been a background threat since Book 1 — and tasked with rigging a political election in the city of Karthain. The third book introduces Sabetha, the series' long-awaited major female character, and delivers significant backstory through extended flashback sequences. The ending changes the stakes of the entire series.
- 4
The Thorn of Emberlain
Gentleman Bastard, Book 4 · publication date TBD
The fourth entry in the Gentleman Bastard sequence. As of 2025, no publication date has been confirmed. Scott Lynch has acknowledged the book is in progress, but no release window has been given.
Note: The fourth book has no confirmed publication date.
Where is The Thorn of Emberlain?
Scott Lynch announced the fourth Gentleman Bastard book years ago but no publication date has been confirmed. The series as published ends on The Republic of Thieves.
If You Like Scott Lynch, Try:
The closest match in tone — same dark humour, same morally grey ensemble cast, same refusal to let the world reward idealism. Best Served Cold is the most direct Abercrombie companion to Gentleman Bastards.
Six of Crows is the most commonly recommended book for Gentleman Bastard fans: heist structure, ensemble crew, morally grey characters, and a duology that is actually complete.
Rothfuss shares Lynch's fascination with the narrator as performer — Kvothe constructs his legend with the same theatrical intelligence Locke brings to a con. The prose is more lyrical; the intellectual project is identical.
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