Thriller · Horror
Red Dragon
A retired FBI profiler is pulled back to hunt a killer who strikes at each full moon and targets whole families. He turns to the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter for help, which comes at a price.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1981
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 434
- Format
- Book 1 of 4 in Hannibal Lecter
Read this if you like psychological crime novels that put you inside both the hunter's and the killer's mind.
Skip this if you are sensitive to depictions of families being murdered, which are central to the plot.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Red Dragon
- What is Red Dragon about?
- A retired FBI profiler is pulled back to hunt a killer who strikes at each full moon and targets whole families. He turns to the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter for help, which comes at a price.
- Who should read Red Dragon?
- Read it if you like psychological crime novels that put you inside both the hunter's and the killer's mind. Skip it if you are sensitive to depictions of families being murdered, which are central to the plot.
- How long and how fast is Red Dragon?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 434 pages, first published in 1981.
- Does Red Dragon have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Gore, Death, Child death.
- Can I borrow Red Dragon for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Red Dragon; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Red Dragon?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Silence of the Lambs, The Snowman.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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