Joe Ide Books In Order

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Publication Order of IQ Books

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Joe Ide
Author Joe Ide is of Japanese American descent. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, an economically depressed area with a largely black population. Street crime and gangs were rampant. Joe, like many other kids, wanted to belong and so his style, speech, attitudes and musical tastes reflected his neighborhood.

His favorite books were Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. The mere idea that a person was able to face the world and vanquish his enemies with only his intelligence fascinated young Joe.

Eventually, Joe went on to university and got a graduate degree in education. He worked as a college lecturer, a school teacher, a corporate middle manager and director of an NGO that offered up paralegal services and emergency shelter to abused women and kids. He went on to write screenplays for a number of the major studios however none of them came to fruition.

It was then that he decided to write “IQ”, his debut novel, about an underground and unlicensed detective, which was inspired by his early experiences and love of Sherlock Holmes.

The novel was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2017 for Best First Novel by an American writer. It won the Macavity for Best First Mystery, a Shamus for Best First PI Novel and an Anthony for Best First Novel as well as others.

“IQ” is the first novel in the “IQ” series and was released in the year 2016. A resident of one of the toughest neighborhoods in LA uses his own blistering intellect to solve the crimes that LAPD only ignores.

East Long Beach. The LAPD can barely keep up with the high crime rate in the neighborhood. Lost children remain unrecovered, murders remain unsolved. However somebody from this neighborhood took it upon himself to help solve these cases the cops won’t or can’t touch.

They call the guy IQ, since he is a loner and a high school dropout, and his unassuming nature that disguises a fierce intelligence and a relentless determination. He charges his clients what they’re able to afford, which may be a homemade casserole or a set of tires. To get by, he is forced to take on such clients that are able to pay.

This time around, it is a rap mogul whose life is in danger. While Isaiah investigates, he encounters a crew of notorious cutthroats, a vengeful ex-wife, a hit man that even other hit men say is a lunatic, and a monstrous attack dog. The more digging he does, the more dangerous and far reaching this case gets.

“Righteous” is the second novel in the “IQ” series and was released in the year 2017. Isaiah uncovers a secret behind his brother’s death.

For a decade now, there has been something gnawing at Isaiah Quintabe’s gut and keeping him up at night, boiling over with anger with thoughts of revenge. Ten years prior, when he was just a boy, his brother got killed by some unknown assailant. The quest to find this killer sent him plunging down into despair and came close to ruining his life. Even with a new dog, a thriving career, and near-iconic status as a private investigator in his home town of East Long Beach, he has to start the hunt again, or lose his mind.

A case takes both him and Dodson, his dubious and volatile sidekick, off to Vegas, where Chinese gangsters and a horrifying seven-foot loan shark are stalking some DJ and her screwy boyfriend. If Isaiah does not track down the two first, they are going to get murdered. Awaiting the outcome is the love of IQ’s life: should he fail, he loses her.

His quest is fraught with menace, treachery, and stunning twists. And it is going to take him right to the mastermind that is behind his brother’s death.

“Wrecked” is the third novel in the “IQ” series and was released in the year 2018. Isaiah Quintable hasn’t ever been more successful, nor more alone. A series of high-profile wins in his hometown of East Long Beach have made him so notorious that he can’t hardly go to the corner store without getting recognized. Dodson, formerly his sidekick and now his full fledged partner, is determined to give IQ’s PI business some full legitimacy: a Facebook page, and IQ’s promise to quit accepting carpet cleanings and Christmas sweaters in exchange for PI services.

So when this young painter approaches IQ to help her track her missing mom down, it is not only the case that he is looking for, but also the human connection. And when his new confidant ends up being connected to some dangerous paramilitary operation, he falls victim to a threat that even a genius is unable to see coming.

Waiting for Isaiah at each turn is Seb, the Oxford-educated African gangster that was responsible for Marcus’ death. Only this time around, Isaiah’s not by himself. Joined by his new love interest and familiar group of accomplices, he has returned and the adventures are even better than ever.

“Hi Five” is the fourth novel in the “IQ” series and was released in the year 2020. One woman, five personalities. Private eye IQ has returned to piece together a Newport Beach murder with an eyewitness that gives “people person” a brand new meaning.

Christina is the daughter of Angus Byrne (the biggest arms dealer on the West Coast) and is also the only witness and prime suspect in the murder of her boyfriend who was found dead in her Newport Beach boutique. IQ is coerced into taking this case to prove she is innocent. If he is unable to, Angus is going to harm Isaiah’s new girlfriend and end her career.

The catch is that Christina has got multiple personalities. Among them is a beautiful and naive shopkeeper, a wanton seductress, and a drummer in a rock band. His dilemma is that no one single personality witnessed the whole incident. To learn what actually happened during the night of this murder, he has to piece together the clues from each one of the personalities and do so before the cops close in on him.

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One Response to “Joe Ide”

1. Despair99: 5 years ago

   One point. These are not standalone. All three are in the IQ – Isaiah Quntabe – series.

   Reply