Ahmed Saadawi Books In Order is a useful guide for readers who want to explore the acclaimed Iraqi novelist and screenwriter’s works in the proper reading sequence. Best known for blending realism with dark satire and speculative elements, Saadawi gained international recognition for his award-winning novel Frankenstein in Baghdad.
His stories often examine war, identity, morality, and the human condition through imaginative and thought-provoking narratives. Reading his books in order helps readers follow the evolution of his themes and style, while better appreciating the depth, symbolism, and cultural context found throughout his powerful and distinctive fiction.
A Quick Biography of Ahmed Saadawi
Ahmed Saadawi is an Iraqi novelist, poet, journalist, and screenwriter known for his inventive and socially reflective fiction. Born in Baghdad, he has worked extensively in cultural journalism and documentary filmmaking. Saadawi gained international fame with his novel Frankenstein in Baghdad, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction and was widely translated, bringing his work to global readers.
His writing often blends realism with dark satire and speculative elements to explore themes such as war, identity, morality, and urban life in Iraq. Through his storytelling, Saadawi highlights human complexity while examining the social and psychological impact of conflict.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Frankenstein in Baghdad | (2019) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Akashic Noir Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Noir | (2002) | Buy Now |
| Seattle Noir | (2003) | Buy Now |
| Bronx Noir | (2003) | Buy Now |
| Brooklyn Noir | (2004) | Buy Now |
| Hasidic Noir | (2004) | Buy Now |
| Brooklyn Noir 2 | (2005) | Buy Now |
| Chicago Noir | (2005) | Buy Now |
| Dublin Noir | (2005) | Buy Now |
| Manhattan Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| Miami Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| D.C. Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| Baltimore Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| Twin Cities Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| London Noir | (2006) | Buy Now |
| New Orleans Noir | (2007) | Buy Now |
| Los Angeles Noir | (2007) | Buy Now |
| Wall Street Noir | (2007) | Buy Now |
| Havana Noir | (2007) | Buy Now |
| Detroit Noir | (2007) | Buy Now |
| Queens Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Toronto Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Las Vegas Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Trinidad Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| D.C. Noir 2 | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Manhattan Noir 2 | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Paris Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Istanbul Noir | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Boston Noir | (2009) | Buy Now |
| Rome Noir | (2009) | Buy Now |
| San Francisco Noir 2 | (2009) | Buy Now |
| Portland Noir | (2009) | Buy Now |
| Delhi Noir | (2009) | Buy Now |
| Phoenix Noir | (2009) | Buy Now |
| Los Angeles Noir 2 | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Mexico City Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Richmond Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Orange County Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Indian Country Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Moscow Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Lone Star Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Philadelphia Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Haiti Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Copenhagen Noir | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Pittsburgh Noir | (2011) | Buy Now |
| San Diego Noir | (2011) | Buy Now |
| Barcelona Noir | (2011) | Buy Now |
| Cape Cod Noir | (2011) | Buy Now |
| New Jersey Noir | (2011) | Buy Now |
| Staten Island Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Mumbai Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Long Island Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Venice Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Kingston Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| St. Petersburg Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Kansas City Noir | (2012) | Buy Now |
| Boston Noir 2 | (2012) | Buy Now |
| USA Noir | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Manila Noir | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Buffalo Noir | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Dallas Noir | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Haiti Noir 2 | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Singapore Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Prison Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Tel Aviv Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Tehran Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Belfast Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Helsinki Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Rio Noir | (2014) | Buy Now |
| Providence Noir | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Chicago Noir: The Classics | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Memphis Noir | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Zagreb Noir | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Marseille Noir | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Beirut Noir | (2015) | Buy Now |
| New Orleans Noir: The Classics | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Stockholm Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Brussels Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Mississippi Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| St. Louis Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Prague Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| San Juan Noir | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Oakland Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Trinidad Noir: The Classics | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Atlanta Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| New Haven Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Montana Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Buenos Aires Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Montreal Noir | (2017) | Buy Now |
| Berlin Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| São Paulo Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Santa Cruz Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Lagos Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Marrakech Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Baghdad Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Vancouver Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Sydney Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Hong Kong Noir | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Amsterdam Noir | (2019) | Buy Now |
| Milwaukee Noir | (2019) | Buy Now |
| Houston Noir | (2019) | Buy Now |
| Nairobi Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Columbus Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Santa Fe Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Alabama Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Berkeley Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Addis Ababa Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Tampa Bay Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Miami Noir: The Classics | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Accra Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Belgrade Noir | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Palm Springs Noir | (2021) | Buy Now |
| Paris Noir: The Suburbs | (2022) | Buy Now |
| Denver Noir | (2022) | Buy Now |
| South Central Noir | (2022) | Buy Now |
| Cleveland Noir | (2023) | Buy Now |
| East Jerusalem Noir | (2023) | Buy Now |
| West Jerusalem Noir | (2023) | Buy Now |
| Honolulu Noir | (2024) | Buy Now |
| Sacramento Noir | (2025) | Buy Now |
| Hamburg Noir | (2025) | Buy Now |
3 Books Ahmed Saadawi Books In Order
1] Hamburg Noir
Hamburg Noir is a crime fiction anthology edited by Wolfgang Franzen, part of the well-known Akashic Books “Noir” series that features dark, city-centered stories from around the world. The collection brings together multiple authors who set their tales in Hamburg, Germany, presenting gritty, atmospheric narratives that explore crime, corruption, moral conflict, and the hidden sides of urban life.
Each story offers a different perspective on the city — from its harbor districts to its nightlife and backstreets — creating a layered portrait through suspenseful and character-driven noir storytelling.
2] Sacramento Noir
Sacramento Noir is a crime fiction anthology edited by John Freeman and published as part of the Akashic Books Noir series. The collection features short stories by multiple authors, each set in and around Sacramento, California.
These stories explore the darker side of the city through themes of crime, secrecy, moral tension, and human complexity. Covering a range of neighborhoods and social settings, the anthology presents diverse voices and perspectives while maintaining a gritty noir tone. Like other books in the series, it offers place-based storytelling where the city itself becomes an important character in the narratives.
3] Honolulu Noir
Honolulu Noir is a crime fiction anthology edited by Chris McKinney and published by Akashic Books as part of its global Noir series. The collection features short stories by various authors, each set in Honolulu and the surrounding areas of Hawaii.
These stories explore the city’s hidden edges through themes of crime, betrayal, cultural tension, and moral ambiguity. Blending local atmosphere with classic noir style, the anthology highlights different communities, landscapes, and social realities. Each story presents a distinct voice, creating a layered and often gritty portrait of paradise seen from its darker side.
Top FAQ on Ahmed Saadawi
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Who is Ahmed Saadawi?
Ahmed Saadawi is an Iraqi novelist, poet, journalist, and screenwriter known for his literary fiction that blends realism with dark satire and speculative elements.
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What is Ahmed Saadawi’s most recent book?
Ahmed Saadawi’s most recent books are Hamburg Noir and Sacramento Noir, published in 2025.
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What genres does Ahmed Saadawi write?
He writes literary fiction with elements of satire, horror, and speculative fiction, often mixed with social commentary.
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