Few writers today combine journalistic precision with narrative intensity quite like Patrick Radden Keefe. Best known for his riveting explorations of crime, corruption, and human complexity, Keefe’s books read like thrillers while delivering the sharp insight of investigative reporting. In this post, we’ll take a look at all Patrick Radden Keefe books in publication order, tracing how his voice and thematic obsessions have evolved, from global intrigue to the intimate dramas behind power and secrecy.
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All of Patrick Radden Keefe’s Books in Publication Order
Chatter: Dispatches from the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping by Patrick Radden Keefe
Published in 2005
Chatter investigates the secret world of global government eavesdropping. It is Patrick Radden Keefe’s first book, written in a time before smart phones. The books relevancy today, while diminished, still provides a historical snapshot of surveillance up to the start of the 21st century. While the casual reader could skip this book, there is still something here for fans of Patrick Radden Keefe.
The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream, by Patrick Radden Keefe
Published in 2009
The Snakehead explores the world of human smuggling. PRK tells the story of Cheng Chui Ping known as “Sister Ping” who orchestrated an intricate network that helped thousands of immigrants enter the United States. With themes of immigration crime and the pursuit of the American Dream it is still a compelling read today.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, by Patrick Radden Keefe
Published in 2018
Say Nothing investigates the tragic 1972 abduction of Jean McConville, using her story to explore the brutal legacy of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and the unresolved guilt of those involved.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty, by Patrick Radden Keefe
Published in 2021
By far Patrick Radden Keefe’s most popular book, Empire of Pain exposes the Sackler dynasty, the immensely wealthy family behind the marketing of OxyContin, which catalyzed the opioid crisis.
Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks, by Patrick Radden Keefe
Published in 2022
Rogues is a collection of Patrick Radden Keefe’s twelve celebrated New Yorker articles. These enthralling true stories explore his abiding preoccupations with crime, corruption, and the blurred lines between the licit and illicit worlds.
Reading Patrick Radden Keefe’s books in order is a journey through the dark undercurrents of modern life, told by a writer who refuses to accept easy answers. Whether you’re discovering his work for the first time or revisiting. His stories remind us how truth, ambition, and morality collide in ways that continue to shape the world around us.
