Novels:
* The Shadow of the Torturer (1982) - This was his debut novel and launched the "Nifft the Lean" series. It's a dark, grim fantasy with a unique and captivating world.
* The Palace Job (1984) - Another entry in the "Nifft the Lean" series.
* The Quest (1986) - The final book in the "Nifft the Lean" series.
* The Country of the Kind (1991)
* The Secret History of the World (1999) - A more historical fiction-leaning work.
* The Last Detective (2004)
Short Story Collections:
* The Tower of the Elephant and Other Fantasies (1985) - A collection of short stories including "The Tower of the Elephant," one of his most acclaimed works.
* The Night the Saucers Came (1988)
* The Dream Eater and Other Fantasies (1995)
* A World of Lies (2009)
Other Works:
* The Dragon's Price (1998) - A novel co-written with his wife, Judith Shea.
* The King's War (2016) - A novel set in the world of "The Shadow of the Torturer".
* The Nifft the Lean Trilogy (2021) - A collection of the "Nifft the Lean" novels in one volume.
Michael Shea is known for his unique and often dark worldbuilding, complex characters, and intricate plots. His writing often explores themes of power, corruption, and the nature of reality.
Beyond the works listed above, he has also contributed numerous stories to various anthologies and magazines.