Elliott Murphy Series in Order
A veteran FBI agent survives being left for dead on a Manhattan street — and spends the rest of his career, and his retirement, unable to walk away from the cases that follow him home.
For readers who enjoy: FBI procedurals, financial-crime and cartel thrillers, and character-driven suspense that rewards reading in order.
Start with Book One: Crossing Over | Browse the series in order
About the Elliott Murphy Series
Elliott Murphy's story begins on a Manhattan street, where he's mugged, stabbed, and left for dead — and it doesn't let up from there. Across three books, Murphy investigates an arson-and-fraud ring, leads an international hunt for one of the world's most dangerous drug lords, and finally, in retirement, falls straight into a serial murder case he can't walk away from.
This is a progressive arc, not three standalone stories. Each book assumes you know where Elliott has been, and the investigative and emotional stakes compound as the series goes on. As Anthony Eddolls puts it: “Getting to know Elliott in this first book is essential before moving on to the second and reading them all in order.”
Elliott Murphy Books in Order
1. Crossing Over
Recovering after being mugged, stabbed, and left for dead on a Manhattan street, FBI agent Elliott Murphy is pulled into a case spanning arson, insurance fraud, attempted murder, and kidnapping — tangled up with an insurance salesman hiding something and a mobster wrestling with a conscience he can't quite silence. The 2022 second edition is the definitive version of where Elliott's story begins.
Format: eBook / Paperback / Audiobook
Read more about Crossing Over | View on Amazon
2. The Lines We Cross
BOOK TWO ON AMAZON
In what he calls his final case after more than thirty years with the FBI, Elliott Murphy leads an elite international unit hunting one of the world's most significant drug lords — the so-called “Gentleman Dealer,” head of a fentanyl empire — while an unsuspecting Wall Street hedge fund executes a $1.5 billion investment on his behalf. The extensively revised 2026 second edition sharpens a globe-spanning case with billion-dollar stakes.
Format: eBook / Paperback / Audiobook
View The Lines We Cross
3. The Final Cross
BOOK THREE ON AMAZON
Elliott and his wife, Sally, finally launch into retirement — golf, an RV, and nothing on the agenda — until Elliott falls straight into a serial murder case alongside his new friend, ex-Major Larry Parker. It's also where readers meet Special Agent in Charge David Stilley, just beginning his stint with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit — a direct bridge into Anthony Eddolls' David Stilley series.
Format: eBook / Paperback / Audiobook
View The Final Cross
Continue the Story: The David Stilley Series
The Final Cross doesn't just close out Elliott Murphy's story — it opens the door to Anthony Eddolls' David Stilley series. Special Agent in Charge David Stilley, introduced in The Final Cross, goes on to lead his own FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit thrillers: The Beast Within Us, The Sleeper Among Us, and Call Out The Dogs.
Explore the David Stilley series in order
Where Should I Start?
Start with Crossing Over if you want:
- The beginning of Elliott Murphy's FBI story, from the ground up
- A clean entry point built for readers new to the series
- The foundation for everything that follows in Books 2 and 3
Continue to The Lines We Cross and The Final Cross if you want:
- The full arc — the series is built to be read in order
- The payoff of Elliott's accumulated backstory, relationships, and stakes
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read the Elliott Murphy series by Anthony Eddolls?
Crossing Over first, The Lines We Cross second, The Final Cross third. Read them in order — the series is a progressive arc, not standalone stories.
How many books are in the Elliott Murphy series?
Three: Crossing Over, The Lines We Cross, and The Final Cross.
Should I read the original editions or the second editions?
Go with the second editions. All three books have been revised and re-edited, and Anthony Eddolls considers these the preferred versions of the text.
Can I start the Elliott Murphy series with Book 2 or Book 3?
You can, but you'll miss significant context — the series relies on character continuity, backstory, and stakes that accumulate from Book 1 onward.
Where can I buy the Elliott Murphy books?
Crossing Over is available on Amazon. The Lines We Cross and The Final Cross each have their own page on this site with a direct Amazon buy link.
Is there a connection between the Elliott Murphy series and the David Stilley series?
Yes — Special Agent David Stilley is introduced in The Final Cross and goes on to headline his own FBI series, starting with The Beast Within Us.