Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Read The Sandman before Lazarus: they are Joona Linna books 4 and 7, respectively. Stalker and The Rabbit Hunter fall between them, so those are the books to read next if you want the intervening series continuity.
Reading order: where The Sandman and Lazarus fit
HarperCollins lists The Sandman as Joona Linna book 4 and Lazarus as book 7. The two intervening installments are Stalker (book 5) and The Rabbit Hunter (book 6). The recommended sequence is:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- The Sandman — book 4
- Stalker — book 5
- The Rabbit Hunter — book 6
- Lazarus — book 7
You can read Lazarus after The Sandman if you only want to compare their premises, but reading the intervening novels preserves the numbered series sequence and its continuing Joona Linna context. See the HarperCollins Joona Linna series catalogue and the series list on the authors’ official site.
How the two books differ
| Book | Series position | Premise | Central suspense |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sandman | Joona Linna book 4 | A young man missing for thirteen years reappears. His sister may still be alive, and Joona Linna and Saga Bauer need information from serial killer Jurek Walter to try to save her. | A missing-sibling rescue effort, with Saga going undercover in the psychiatric hospital where Walter is held. |
| Lazarus | Joona Linna book 7 | A killer targets notorious criminals. Two victims have unsettling links to Joona, and evidence points toward a terrifying figure from his past. | A murder investigation becomes personal as the threat connects to Joona’s history. |
These are premise-level distinctions drawn from the official book descriptions, not a quality ranking. The official The Sandman page and the official Lazarus page describe the respective setups.
#1 Best Overall
Which one should you choose?
- Choose The Sandman first if you are following the series, or if a missing-person case, a rescue mission, Jurek Walter, and Saga Bauer’s undercover role are the draw.
- Move on to Lazarus at book 7 if you want the later story built around killings linked to Joona and an adversary from his past.
- Read both in sequence if your aim is to follow Joona Linna’s story rather than sample two standalone premises.
Author and edition details
Lars Kepler is the pen name of married writing partners Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril; their official biography identifies the Joona Linna books as their series. Read the official author biography.
For a specific US edition reference, Penguin Random House lists a Vintage Crime/Black Lizard paperback of The Sandman, ISBN 9780525433057, published January 8, 2019, at 528 pages. Those details describe that paperback only; formats, translations, and international editions can differ. Check the ISBN and format in a retailer or library catalogue when locating a particular copy. Penguin Random House’s edition listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
