What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Red Book
James Patterson and David Ellis · Book
If you loved The Red Book, start with Ballard (Kendall Sherwood, 2025) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Red Book across media.
What hooked you in The Red Book was the way a detective's personal history becomes the primary obstacle in uncovering systemic corruption.
Films on the same thread
Sleeping Dogs
Adam Cooper · Film · 2024
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Police Procedural.
Like the protagonist of The Red Book, Roy Freeman must confront his own fractured past and unreliable memory to resolve a haunting investigation that threatens his current moral standing.
The Batman
Matt Reeves · Film · 2022
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Corruption.
Much like the detective in The Red Book, Batman finds that his pursuit of justice is inextricably linked to the hidden corruption and dark legacy of his own family.
Damaged
Terry McDonough · Film · 2024
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Police Procedural.
The Red Book shares this narrative focus on a detective whose current investigation is fueled by personal trauma and the unresolved grief surrounding a past crime scene investigation.
Presumed Innocent
Alan J. Pakula · Film · 1990
Explores: Wrongful Accusation, Obsession, Betrayal.
Just as the central character in The Red Book faces internal scrutiny, Rusty Sabich experiences a terrifying collapse of his professional life when his personal secrets become public evidence.
Series on the same thread
The Blacklist
Jon Bokenkamp · Series · 2013
Explores: Criminal Consultant, Unlikely Partnership, Moral Ambiguity.
The Red Book highlights the dangerous intersection of crime and internal investigation, a theme mirrored here by the complex, morally ambiguous partnership between a criminal and the FBI.
Ballard
Kendall Sherwood · Series · 2025
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Police Procedural.
If you valued the exploration of police conspiracy in The Red Book, you will appreciate how Ballard navigates internal corruption while battling her own demons during a serial killer hunt.
Blue Bloods
Robin Green · Series · 2010
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Police Procedural.
The Red Book examines the weight of law enforcement ethics, a theme central to this drama as a family of officers balances their loyalty against systemic police corruption.
Black Bird
Dennis Lehane · Series · 2022
Explores: Undercover Operation, Seeking Redemption, Moral Ambiguity.
Similar to the high-stakes internal investigation in The Red Book, this story forces a man to confront his own morality to solve a crime and secure his personal redemption.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Deck Investigates
Audiochuck · Podcast
Explores: Missing Persons, Unsolved Mysteries, Small Town Secrets.
The Red Book succeeds by digging into buried secrets, a process reflected in this investigation where a cold case is unearthed to reveal how small-town secrets affect families.
Sick to Death
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Red Book: Corruption.
The Red Book focuses on the failures of institutions, much like this investigation into medical negligence which exposes how systemic corruption allows a dangerous individual to remain unchecked.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Red Book the first book in the Billy Harney series?
No, The Red Book is the second book in the Billy Harney thriller series. You should read the first installment in the series before starting this title to fully understand the context of the detective's ongoing story.
What is the main plot of The Red Book?
The Red Book follows Chicago detective Billy Harney as he investigates his own past. The narrative focuses on the personal history of the protagonist as he navigates the complex challenges presented throughout this thriller.
Who wrote The Red Book?
The Red Book was written by James Patterson and David Ellis. It serves as the second entry in their collaborative Billy Harney thriller series, continuing the narrative established in the previous book.
Should I read the first Billy Harney book before The Red Book?
Yes, it is recommended to read the first book in the series before The Red Book. Since this is the second entry in the Billy Harney thriller series, reading them in order ensures you follow the detective's arc correctly.