E.C.R. Lorac Reading Order
5 series · 173 books · Born 1894
E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name for Edith Caroline Rivett, is a prolific author known for her captivating mystery and crime novels. Over her extensive career from 1862 to 2024, she has written 173 books across five series, including Inspector Ryvet and Julian Rivers, as well as standalone novels and entries in the British Library Crime Classics. Her notable works continue to engage fans of the genre, showcasing her talent for intricate plots and compelling characters.
British Library Crime Classics Series
Ongoing102 books (1862–2024)
Start with The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams), the first of 102 books in the British Library Crime Classics series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams) 1862Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  The Poisoned Chocolates Case(By: Anthony Berkeley) 1929Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  It Walks by Night(By: John Dickson Carr) 1930Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The Secret of High Eldersham / The Mystery of High Eldersham(By: Miles Burton) 1930Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Castle Skull(By: John Dickson Carr) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | Murder of a Lady / The Silver Scale Mystery(By: Anthony Wynne) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Mystery in the Channel(By: Freeman Crofts) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  The Incredible Crime(By: Lois Austen-Leigh) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  The Lost Gallows(By: John Dickson Carr) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  The Z Murders(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon) 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  The Corpse in the Waxworks / The Waxworks Murder(By: John Dickson Carr) 1932Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  The Division Bell Mystery(By: Ellen Wilkinson) 1932Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Death in Fancy Dress(By: Anthony Gilbert) 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 | Family Matters(By: Anthony Rolls) 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 | Portrait of a Murderer(By: Anne Meredith) 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  The Hog's Back Mystery(By: Freeman Crofts) 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 |  Death of an Airman(By: Christopher Sprigg) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 |  Murder Underground(By: Mavis Doriel Hay) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 | Quick Curtain(By: Alan Melville) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 |  Scarweather(By: Anthony Rolls) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 |  The 12.30 from Croydon(By: Freeman Crofts) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 |  The Chianti Flask(By: Marie Belloc Lowndes) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 23 | The Mysterious Mr. Badman(By: William Fryer Harvey) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 24 | The Spy Paramount(By: E. Phillips Oppenheim) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 25 | Weekend at Thrackley(By: Alan Melville) 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 26 |  Death on the Cherwell(By: Mavis Doriel Hay) 1935Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 27 |  The Cornish Coast Murder(By: John Bude) 1935Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 28 |  The Lake District Murder(By: John Bude) 1935Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 29 |  Death in the Tunnel / Dark in the Tunnel(By: Miles Burton) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 30 | Death of Anton(By: Alan Melville) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 31 | Death of an Author 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 32 | Murder in Piccadilly(By: Charles Kingston) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 33 |  The Santa Klaus Murder(By: Mavis Doriel Hay) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 34 |  The Sussex Downs Murder(By: John Bude) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 35 |  The Traitor(By: Sydney Horler) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 36 | The Wheel Spins / Passengers / The Lady Vanishes(By: Ethel Lina White) 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 37 |  Bats in the Belfry 1937Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 38 | Mystery in White(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon) 1937Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 39 |  The Cheltenham Square Murder(By: John Bude) 1937Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 40 |  Antidote to Venom(By: Freeman Crofts) 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 41 |  Excellent Intentions(By: Richard Hull) 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 42 |  Murder in the Museum(By: John Rowland) 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 43 |  The Port of London Murders(By: Josephine Bell) 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 44 |  Thirteen Guests(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon) 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 45 |  Seven Dead(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon) 1939Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 46 |  The Arsenal Stadium Mystery(By: Leonard R. Gribble) 1939Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 47 | A Scream in Soho(By: John G. Brandon) 1940Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 48 |  Verdict of Twelve(By: Raymond Postgate) 1940Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 49 |  Death of a Busybody(By: George Bellairs) 1942Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 50 |  The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack(By: George Bellairs) 1942Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 51 |  Murder's a Swine(By: Nap Lombard) 1943Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 52 | Somebody at the Door(By: Raymond Postgate) 1943Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 53 |  Checkmate to Murder 1944Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 54 | Fell Murder 1944Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 55 |  Murder by Matchlight 1945Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 56 |  Trouble on the Thames(By: Victor Bridges) 1945Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 57 |  Fire in the Thatch 1946Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 58 |  Death Makes a Prophet(By: John Bude) 1947Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 59 |  Calamity in Kent(By: John Rowland) 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 60 |  Smallbone Deceased(By: Michael Gilbert) 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 61 |  Death Has Deep Roots(By: Michael Gilbert) 1951Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 62 |  Crossed Skis(As: Carol Carnac) 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 63 |  Death on the Riviera(By: John Bude) 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 64 | Last Seen Wearing(By: Hillary Waugh) 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 65 |  London Particular / Fog of Doubt(By: Christianna Brand) 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 66 |  Murder in the Mill-Race 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 67 |  The Danger Within / Death in Captivity(By: Michael Gilbert) 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 68 | Murder As a Fine Art(As: Carol Carnac) 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 69 |  The Man Who Didn't Fly(By: Margot Bennett) 1955Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 70 |  The Colour Of Murder(By: Julian Symons) 1957Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 71 |  The Christmas Egg(By: Mary Kelly) 1958Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 72 | Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm(By: Gil North) 1960Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 73 |  The Progress of a Crime(By: Julian Symons) 1960Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 74 | The Body in the Dumb River(By: George Bellairs) 1961Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 75 |  The Spoilt Kill(By: Mary Kelly) 1961Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 76 |  Due to a Death / The Dead of Summer(By: Mary Kelly) 1963Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 77 |  Surfeit of Suspects(By: George Bellairs) 1964Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 78 |  The Belting Inheritance(By: Julian Symons) 1965Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 79 |  The Last Best Friend(By: George Sims) 1967Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 80 | Tea on Sunday(By: Lettice Cooper) 1973Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 81 |  The End of the Web(By: George Sims) 1976Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 82 |  Capital Crimes(By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh) 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 83 | Resorting to Murder(By: Martin Edwards) 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 84 | Silent Nights(By: Martin Edwards) 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 85 |  Crimson Snow(By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume) 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 86 |  Murder at the Manor(By: Martin Edwards) 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 87 |  Serpents in Eden(By: Martin Edwards) 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 88 |  Continental Crimes(By: Martin Edwards) 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 89 |  Foreign Bodies(By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz) 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 90 |  Miraculous Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards) 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 91 |  The Long Arm of the Law(By: Martin Edwards) 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 92 |  Blood on the Tracks(By: Martin Edwards) 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 93 |  Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book(By: Kate Jackson) 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 94 |  The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories(By: Martin Edwards) 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 95 |  Deep Waters(By: Martin Edwards) 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 96 |  The Measure of Malice(By: Martin Edwards) 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 97 |  A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards) 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 98 |  Settling Scores(By: Martin Edwards) 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 99 |  Guilty Creatures(By: Martin Edwards) 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 100 |  Two-Way Murder 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 101 | Crimes of Cymru(By: Martin Edwards) 2023Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 102 | Lessons in Crime(By: Martin Edwards) 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
Inspector Ryvet Series
Complete6 books (1936–1940)
Start with Triple Death, the first of 6 books in the Inspector Ryvet series.
Julian Rivers Series
Complete15 books (1945–1958)
Start with A Double for Detection, the first of 15 books in the Julian Rivers series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Double for Detection 1945Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | The Striped Suitcase 1946Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | Clue Sinister 1947Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | Over the Garden Wall 1948Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | Copy for Crime 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | Upstairs, downstairs 1950Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | It\'s Her Own Funeral 1951Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Crossed Skis 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | A Policeman At the Door 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Murder As a Fine Art 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 | Impact of Evidence 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 | Murder Among Members 1955Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 | Rigging the Evidence 1955Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 | The Double Turn 1956Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 | Long Shadows 1958Buy 🇺🇸 |
Robert MacDonald Series
Likely Complete46 books (1931–2021)
Start with The Murder on the Burrows, the first of 46 books in the Robert MacDonald series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Murder on the Burrows 1931Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | The Affair on Thor's Head 1932Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 | The Greenwell Mystery 1932Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Death On The Oxford Road 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | The Case of Colonel Marchand 1933Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | Murder in Chelsea 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | Murder in St. John's Wood 1934Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | The Organ Speaks 1935Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | A Pall for a Painter 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Crime Counter Crime 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Post After Post-Mortem 1936Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 | Bats in the Belfry 1937Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 | These Names Make Clues 1937Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Slippery Staircase 1938Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 |  Black Beadle 1939Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 | John Brown's Body 1939Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 | Death at Dyke's Corner 1940Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 | Tryst for a Tragedy 1940Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  Case in the Clinic 1941Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 | Rope's End, Rogue's End 1942Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 | The Sixteenth Stair 1942Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 | Checkmate to Murder 1944Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 23 | Fell Murder 1944Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 24 | Murder by Matchlight 1945Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 25 | Fire in the Thatch 1946Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 26 | Relative to Poison 1947Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 27 | Death Before Dinner 1948Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 28 | Part for a Poisoner 1948Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 29 |  Policemen in the Precinct 1949Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 30 | Still Waters 1949Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 31 | Accident by Design 1951Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 32 | Murder of a Martinet 1951Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 33 | Murder in the Mill-Race 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 34 | The Dog It Was That Died 1952Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 35 |  Crook O'Lune 1953Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 36 | Let Well Alone 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 37 | Shroud of Darkness 1954Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 38 |  Ask A Policeman 1955Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 39 | Murder in Vienna 1956Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 40 | Dangerous Domicile 1957Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 41 |  Picture of Death 1957Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 42 | Murder On a Monument 1958Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 43 | The Last Escape/Dishonour Among Thieves 1959Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 44 | The Theft of the Iron Dogs 1960Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 45 |  The Devil and the C.I.D. 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 46 | Death Came Softly 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Novels Series
Likely Complete4 books (1957–2021)
Start with The Burning Question(As: Carol Carnac), the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has E.C.R. Lorac written?
- E.C.R. Lorac has written 173 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1862 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each E.C.R. Lorac series?
- Here are the first books in E.C.R. Lorac's series: British Library Crime Classics: The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams); Inspector Ryvet: Triple Death; Julian Rivers: A Double for Detection; Robert MacDonald: The Murder on the Burrows.
- What order should I read E.C.R. Lorac's books?
- We recommend reading E.C.R. Lorac's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is E.C.R. Lorac still writing new books?
- Yes, E.C.R. Lorac has 1 ongoing series: British Library Crime Classics.