S.J. Rozan Books In Order

Publication Order of Lydia Chin & Bill Smith Books

Publication Order of Lydia Chin & Bill Smith Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Harold Middleton Books

Publication Order of Feng Shui Detective Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

S.J. Rozan is one of the award winning author of thrillers and detective fiction novels, hailing from America. She is based in the New York City and is particularly famous for writing the Lydia China and Bill Smith novel series. Author Rozan also co-authors a series of paranormal thriller novels with author Carlos Dews under the pseudonym of Sam Cabot. Author Rozan was born as Shira Judith Rozan in the year 1950 in Bronx, New York. She has a brother and a couple of sisters, with whom she grew up in the Bronx. Right from her childhood days, Rozan has a passion for playing basketball. She completed her graduation from the Oberlin College and earned her bachelor’s degree. Later, Rozan joined the New York State University at Buffalo and obtained her master’s degree in the subject of architecture. Author Rozan considers herself as a New Yorker for life and resides in Lower Manhattan. After her graduation, Rozan started her career in the field of architecture. But before that, she worked for a number of odd jobs such as working in jewelry sales, as a painter, janitor, in bread baking, book sales, advertising copywriting, as well as an instructor of self defense. After starting as an architect, Rozan went on to become the project manager for a firm in New York. She used to work mostly on the projects that were socially useful. Rozan said that at one point, her life was exactly the way she wanted it to be, but it was not making her happy. This enabled her to try her hand at the idea of writing crime novels. She was already excited by this idea for a very long time as was fond of reading crime fiction books, but could not get time to write a book of her own because of her busy schedules. Most of the books written by author Rozan take place in New York City, or at least start from there. Her private investigator series features the lead characters as Bill Smith and Lydia Chin. The books of the series feature changing points of view between these two characters. Related to the characters, author Rozan as said that Lydia Chin is just like her when she was of her age. She is filled with a lot of energy, optimism, and believes that her efforts can help save the world. On the other hand, Bill Smith is like what Rozan is right now. He has gone through a lot of bad stuff in his life which have taught him a great deal of lessons about life and living.

In 2013, Rozan teamed up with Carlos Dews and wrote a book that is said to take place in Rome. It serves as the first one in the series of interesting historical thriller novels. Apart from the crime novels, author Rozan also writes haiku, which she posts regularly on her weekend blogs. Rozan says that the haiku are composed as she observes them, but are not written down till the time she reaches home. Author Rozan is always involved in giving guest lectures, speaking on various topics, and teaching a wide range of topics. In 2003, she was invited as a speaker for the World Economics Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Rozan was also called at the Atlantic Arts Center in 2006. The other popular event in which she got a chance to be present is the National Book Festival in the year 2009. Author Rozan was called as a keynote speaker at the CCW Conference in 2011. She has achieved the feat of being the Wrier in Residence at the Singapore University and as the Author in Residence and Guest Instructor at the Novel In Progress Bookcamp in 2014. Her literary career has been made even more special and successful because of the various awards won by her, including the Edgar, Macavity, Nero, Shamus, and Anthony. She has also received the Maltese Falcom award of Japan.

The Lydia Chin & Bill Smith series written by S.J. Rozan is comprised of 11 books in total, which were released between the years 1994 and 2011. It features the chief protagonists as Lydia Chin, a Chinese-American private eye in her thirties, and Bill Smith, a former Army man and private eye in her forties. Both of them live and work as PI in New York City. An initial book published in this series is entitled ‘Mandarin Plaid’. It was released by the St Martin Paperbacks in the year 1997. The main characters of this book include John Ryan, Bill Smith, Lydia Chin, Chin Yong-Yun, and Genna Jing. Author Rozan has set the plot in Manhattan, New York, United States. At the start of the book, it is shown that Lydia Chin has come a long way from the dreary and cramped sweatshops where her mother used to see in the heady fashion world. The worlds in New York City often collide and a petite PI like Lydia Chin often gets a chance to rub shoulders with the poor, the rich, the depraved, and he beautiful in this city. The elegant Genna Jing is introduced as a designer. She is confident that her recent designs are going to fetch her a fortune. But, they get stolen and the thief asks for fifty grand to return the design book to her, which she agrees to pay. Lydia and Smith are given the task of making the drop. But, as soon as they reach the spot, everything begins to go wrong. The simple extortion case which looked easily solvable turns into a difficult one and takes both Smith and Lydia to Chinatown and Park Avenue in search of clues related to murder.

The next mind blowing book to feature in the crime fiction series is titled as ‘No Colder Place’. It was released in 1998 and depicts the central characters as Chuck DeMattis, Lydia Chin, Mike DiMaio, and Billy Smith. At the beginning of this book, Bill Smith is shown as working undercover to help an old friend. His friend asks him to investigate a robbery that had taken place on a Manhattan site of the latest project of Crowell Constructions. Bill starts in a bit of rusty manner, but manages to take control of the situation. At first, he investigates the foreman, who was suspected of playing a part in the thievery. Along with him, a crane operator is also under the suspicion, but he seems to have gone missing with a few heavy machineries from the site. Soon, Bill learns about the accidental death of the foreman in a riot, which appears to be a well orchestrated plan to kill the foreman. Bill Smith finds himself plunged into the morass of blackmail, bribery, and looks for answers. He is assisted by Lydia Chin, who joins him in following the trails of old fashioned greed, twisted loyalties, organized crime, etc. The investigation ends in a heart stopping conclusion.