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Series · thriller
Rory Yates
The Rory Yates series by James Patterson has 3 known books (3 published). It is best read in publication order, starting with Texas Ranger (2018). The Texas Murders is the latest book with a fully recorded publication date.
- Books
- 3 known books (3 novels)
- Published
- 3
- First published
- 2018
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Thriller
Start here: Texas Ranger (2018)
— then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Texas Ranger
Texas Ranger opens the series in 2018 at 336 pages, co-written by James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle to introduce Rory Yates, a Texas Ranger pulled between duty and trouble that follows him personally. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Texas Ranger - Book 2:
Texas Outlaw
Texas Outlaw followed two years later in 2020, its 448 pages the longest of the three novels, continuing James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle's portrait of Rory Yates pulled between his Texas Ranger badge and the trouble that keeps finding him personally. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Texas Outlaw - Book 3:
The Texas Murders
The Texas Murders closes out the trilogy in 2025, five years after book two, at 432 pages, sending Yates into a case that again blurs the line between lawman and outlaw -- the theme the series' titles lean into throughout. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Texas Murders
Key facts about the Rory Yates series
Our list has 3 books in the Rory Yates series. Since all 3 are out now, you can read the whole list today.
Start with Texas Ranger, since it opens the publication order in 2018. Texas Outlaw is book 2, from 2020. The Texas Murders is book 3, from 2025.
The list keeps the books in date order, while each title links to its own page. Each book page shows its dates and editions.
The Texas Murders is the latest book with a full release date, out on 1 January 2025. The catalogue marks it as ongoing, yet no next book has a date so far.
The books came out between 2018 and 2025, while their length runs from 336 to 448 pages. That is a run of 7 years.
James Patterson has 196 books on our list. Additionally, they write Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club and Honeymoon, plus 12 more series. We shelve the books under thriller.
About the Rory Yates series
Rory Yates is a Texas Ranger -- part of the storied law-enforcement agency with jurisdiction across the whole state -- who spends the series pulled between duty and the kind of trouble that follows him personally. James Patterson co-writes with Andrew Bourelle, a novelist and creative-writing professor whose prior credits include contributing to Patterson's BookShots line, and the two lean into Texas's scale and mythology: wide-open landscapes, small-town corruption, and cases that test Yates's loyalty to the badge as much as his ability to solve them.
The series opens with Texas Ranger (2018) and continues through Texas Outlaw (2020) and The Texas Murders (2025), each pitting Yates against threats that blur the line between lawman and outlaw -- a theme the titles lean into directly. It's marketed under both the character's name and the "Texas Ranger" series banner depending on edition and retailer.
Frequently asked questions
How many Rory Yates books are there?
Three novels: Texas Ranger (2018), Texas Outlaw (2020) and The Texas Murders (2025).
What order should I read the Rory Yates books in?
Publication order, beginning with Texas Ranger. Yates's personal history carries forward across the series.
Is Rory Yates the same as the Texas Ranger series?
Yes -- the series is marketed under both the character's name, Rory Yates, and the series title Texas Ranger, depending on edition.
Who writes the Rory Yates books?
James Patterson co-writes with novelist Andrew Bourelle.
Is there a fourth Rory Yates book coming?
No further title had been announced as of this writing.
If you like the Rory Yates series
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