Michael Gruber Books In Order

Publication Order of Jimmy Paz Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Children's Books

The American author Michael Gruber is highly regarded for his extremely incisive novels, incorporating both the realms of reality and fantasy into one intoxicating mix. Crafting intricately woven prose, he creates narratives that are extremely involving, allowing the reader to feel as if they’re really a part of the action. Bringing together mystery and thriller novels, along with fantasy and science-fiction, he really understands what it is that his audience are looking for. Not only that, but he also manages to establish characters that feel entirely real for the readers, as they come alive almost off of the page. Prior to writing fictional literature, he also held standing as a speech writer, along with working as a policy writer for Jimmy Carter.

All of this experience has lead him to the writing career that he currently has today, communicating for a worldwide audience. This is because he has managed to hone his voice for a mass-market, allowing him to speak on a universal level, with his ever accessible themes and ideas. Having ghostwritten novels in the past too, he has managed tailor his style to many different audiences in the past as well. Finding his own voice in time though, he speaks with a high-degree of authority, as he’s gone on to become one of the most respected authors in his field to date. With a lot more to come in the future, it appears that he isn’t stopping any time soon either, as his status grows from strength-to-strength.

Early and Personal Life

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Michael Gruber would grow up with a keen passion for both reading and writing. Educated at the public schools there as well, he would continue to foster this love of literature throughout the following years. In time he would go on to gain a BA from Columbia, which he would gain in English Literature, thus allowing him to go on and work for a number of smaller magazines. Gaining some experience as an editor, he then went back to studying for another BA in biology, which he would receive from City College. This would then lead to him getting his masters in marine biology from the University of Miami, before serving as a medic in the U.S. Army between 1968 and 1969.

Over time he would then go on to gain a Ph. D in marine sciences in 1973, as he would focus on the behavior of the octopus. Then he would go on and work as a chef, before undertaking a number of other jobs, allowing him to gain a greater level of experience before travelling. After some time he would go and work in the Carter White House administration in 1977, allowing him to become a speech writer after a period. Following this he would then become a freelance writer as well, which would in turn take him towards his career as a full-time writer. Still putting out work at a regular pace, happily living with his partner and wife the painter Elizabeth Winder in his home in Seattle, Washington.

Writing Career

Bringing out his first fully fictional novel in 2003, he would mark his literary career with the debut of his novel ‘Tropic of Night’. This would also set-up the ‘Jimmy Paz’ trilogy of novels, which would follow the leading protagonist of Jimmy Paz, charting his cases as he lives under an assumed identity. Following his career as a Cuban-American police detective, the stories chart his adventures, dealing with the many mysteries he solves. Along with this series, Gruber has also managed to produce a number of stand-alone titles, the first of which came out in 2005 titled ‘The Witch’s Boy’. This would be a fantasy novel, as he would embark on a variety of different genre novels, including science-fiction, which he would use elements of in his novels.

Going on to become a bestselling writer, lauded by such contemporaries as Stephen King who would recommend his work to Barack Obama, he has since become a huge success. Clearly showing a love for the craft, he is an outspoken proponent of his art both online and off, creating stories that have been acclaimed worldwide. This isn’t stopping any time soon either, as more and more discover his work every day, with readers from all backgrounds finding something in his novels.

Night of the Jaguar

Marking the third and final title in the ‘Jimmy Paz’ trilogy of novels, this would follow its lead protagonist for her last outing to date. First published in 2006 on the 28th of March, it would come out under the ‘Harper’ publishing label to much acclaim and anticipation. Following on from the previous novels, it would capture the energy and essence of the previous titles, whilst including some turns of its own along the way.

Combining elements of the spiritual and the supernatural with the contemporary detective novel, this follows Jimmy Paz in his retirement in Miami. Here there’s a killer on the loose targeting wealthy Miami businessmen, as they are being taken out in an otherwise seemingly impossible to solve case. Leaving only a set of what appears to be cat footprints at the scene of each crime, it would seem that only Paz is up to the task of solving it. Can he find the killer in time and bring them to justice? Who is the Indian shaman known as Moie and what can he offer the case? What will happen on the night of the jaguar?

The Return

This time published using the ‘Henry Holt and Co.’ imprint, this would be a stand-alone book from Michael Gruber. A tense and exciting thriller novel, it captures a tense sense of excitement that has since become a trademark of much of Gruber’s work. Originally published in 2012 on the 24th of April, it has since become one of the author’s most sought after novels to date.

Richard Marder has been hiding his real true self from everyone he knows for a long time, keeping it buried deep within. Only his old war friend from Vietnam knows what he’s really capable of and he likes to keep it that way, that is until he receives a piece of news out of the blue. Discovering that a figure from his past is back, he vows to seek revenge for a great wrong that was committed against him. Will he get his vengeance? Who are they and what did they do to him? What will happen during the return?