Linwood Barclay Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Promise Falls Books

Publication Order of No Time For Goodbye Books

Publication Order of Zack Walker Books

Publication Order of Keisha Ceylon Books

Publication Order of Chase Books

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Linwood Barclay Biography:

Linwood Barclay is an author, humorist and a columnist based in Canada. He has published books in the fiction and non-fiction genres. He wrote a popular column on Humor for the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest selling newspaper, regularly till in 2008 he announced his retirement.

Linwood Barclay was born in 1955 at Connecticut, USA. His father was a commercial artist, whose works appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over). When Linwood was 4 years old, his father accepted a position with an advertising agency in Canada.

Thus began young Linwood’s Canadian journey. His father died when Linwood was 16 years old. Linwood’s formative years were spent in Canada, where he did odd jobs like helping in running a cottage resort and a trailer park. Linwood pursued studies at the Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, and earned a B.A. (Honors) in English.

He got his first breakthrough as a writer, when he got a job with a small Ontario daily called Peterborough Examiner. After working for a few years with the daily, he joined Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper. At Toronto Star, Linwood held a number of positions like Assistant City Editor, Life section Editor, etc., before settling for the position of the newspaper’s Humor Columnist in 1993.

He was the toast of the newspaper, in this position and held on to this position till 2008, when he wrote his last column and announced his retirement, to devote his time exclusively to writing books. While working as a humor columnist with Toronto Star, Linwood wrote 4 books of the non-fiction genre, including an autobiography called The Last Resort, which was shortlisted in the humor category of the Stephen Leacock Medal.

He met his future wife Neetha, who worked as a Kindergarten Teacher at Trent. They live in Ontario with their two children Spencer and Paige. Linwood was one of the fortunate few to have good mentors. Linwood met the celebrated Canadian novelist, Margaret Laurence at Trent, and who had a decisive influence on Linwood’s writing career.

He also met and became close to Kenneth Miller, who under the pen name of Ross Macdonald, has written famous mystery series featuring the detective Lew Archer. These two gifted novelists mentored Linwood during his initial years as a budding writer. 2004 was a watershed year in the life of the budding novelist, when he launched a mystery series, where he created a cherished character called Zack Walker.

The first book BAD MOVE was followed by more Zack Walker thrillers such as BAD GUYS, LONE WOLF and STONE RAIN. Then in 2007 Linwood published his critically acclaimed standalone novel NO TIME FOR GOODBYE, which met with international success. It was translated into 40 languages.

In Germany this novel created a sensation, and sold more than half a million copies. NO TIME FOR GOODBYE was nominated for the Author Ellis Award, The Barry Award and also shortlisted as the best novel written by the International Thriller Writers. NO TIME FOR GOODBYE has also been optioned for a movie by Eric McCormack.

The synopsis of the book is fairly chilling; Cynthia Archer (the protagonist), one night, at the age of 14, discovers that her family has disappeared. The house is empty. Quiet and eerie…… and there is no inkling whatsoever of where her parents and sibling have gone.

The mystery starts unraveling 25 years later, at a breathless pace. Next year in 2008 Linwood toasted success, with another huge bestseller TOO CLOSE TO HOME, which won Linwood Barclay the Author Ellis award for best novel in 2009. A few of his novels have been optioned to be made into movies. Some of the characters of Linwood’s books have struck a chord with the readers.

ZACK WALKER-LINWOOD BARCLAY’s EARLY PROTAGONIST

The hero of his first 4 mystery series. Walker is a stay-at-home science fiction writer and an anxious father who has a quirky family and whose quest to protect his family from the rising crime in the city forms the basis of the novels. Zack was an instant hit with the readers as he espoused the worries and concerns of a father in today’s society.

BAD MOVE SYNOPSIS

Zack Walker is the anxious father of two teenagers, and husband to a journalist with a wacky sense of humor. He writes science fiction books at home. Zack is overwhelmed by the crime in the city, and drags his reluctant family to the safety of the suburbs, only to realize that the suburbs are not the paradise, he had envisioned.

Oakwood, the suburb where the Walker family moves in, transforms from a peaceful suburb to the scene of crime and criminals, when Zack discovers the body of an environmentalist. This leads to deceit and murder which come knocking on his door. Will the paranoid pop be able to keep his family out of harm’s way, in this less than idyllic suburb? This forms the plot of this interesting mystery.

BAD GUYS SYNOPSIS

In Linwood’s debut novel, the paranoid pop Zack had taken his city slick wife, and street smart sons to the peaceful suburb of Oakwood, to provide them a better life. In BAD GUYS the Walker family move back into the city.

Zack picks up a job with a city paper, after his stay at home science fiction writing comes a cropper. While researching an article for the paper, Zack stumbles upon a murder, and within no time finds himself in the vortex of a violent crime wave, which brings him into direct confrontation with the city’s mob.

On the home front there is disquiet, with Zack’s kids’ exploits. Zack the tough guy tries to make his world work by going on an attack and God save the BAD GUYS who cross his path. Linwood Barclay has been averaging more than one novel per year since 2004.

14 Responses to “Linwood Barclay”

1. Rich: 1 year ago

   I have been searching the world for a paper back version of Linwood Barclay’s Final Assignment without success. does anyone know why I have only managed to find an eBook versions and not a paper back. Rich

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     It’s a short story only available in ebook

     Reply
2. Coral O'Reilly: 7 years ago

   When will you write another Zack Walker novel?

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3. Linda Brown: 8 years ago

   Just purchased his new book “Far From True”, it’s the 2nd in the Promises trilogy.

   Reply
4. angie 21: 9 years ago

   Have read all Linwood Barclay books including Broken Promises. When is the next one? Cannot come quick enough for me.

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   • Graeme: 9 years ago

     Funny you ask – I was literally looking that up earlier today and pre-ordered it. March 22nd, 2016.

     Reply
     • angie 21: 9 years ago

       I’ll keep that date in mind. Cannot come quick enough.

       Reply
5. carla: 9 years ago

   I have always loved to read. But I never had time, however after I discovered Linwood Barclay, I find that I don’t have time for anything else!!! All other authors pale in comparison. He is the best author ever. I have read all his books now. On my way out to get latest book…yay finally!!!!

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6. jean tickner: 9 years ago

   Have read all of linwood Barclays books. The most memorable for me was no time for goodbye and never look back. I am anxiously awaiting his new book. Great author!!!!!! Jean Tickner

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7. Laurel Coverly: 10 years ago

   I was in my favorite book store trying to find something new to read. The owner handed me one of Linwood Barclays books and said try this. That was about 2weeks ago and I have read about eight of his books. Very creative and always a twist at the end. Love his books.

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8. Chantal Paquette: 10 years ago

   Heard an interview over the radio, thought I might like these books… Got No time for goodbye… And just kept getting one after the other!

   My new favorite author!!

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9. Dee Beadle: 10 years ago

   Just listened to the Accident ( don’t know how I missed this) loved it, kept switching it off because didn’t want it to end! Lots of twists right up till the end.

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10. angie 21: 10 years ago

    Have read all the stand alone novels. Enjoyed them all. Especially pleased to have been given the follow up to -( no time for goodbye), (no safe house).

    Reply
11. faye wasington: 10 years ago

    I just finished the Zack Walker series and while it (the series) did not have the teeth of the stand alone novels, it was very enjoyable. I am anxiously waiting a new book.

    Reply