Edward Marston Reading Order

4 books (1987–1988)

Edward Marston's Action Scene series consists of four complete novels published between 1987 and 1988 that should be read in publication order. The books—Bushranger, Seabird, Skydive, and Snowstorm—blend mystery, thriller, and action elements across historical and adventure settings. This compact series is best approached from the beginning, with each installment building on what came before.

Start with Bushranger, the first of 4 books in the Action Scene series.

#	Title
1	Bushranger 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Seabird 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Skydive 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Snowstorm 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1986–2012)

The Alan Saxon series comprises six complete mystery and thriller novels by Edward Marston, published between 1986 and 2012. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Bullet Hole and continuing through Double Eagle, Green Murder, Bermuda Grass, Honolulu Play-Off, and concluding with Flagstick. The series is now complete, with all entries available for readers seeking a finished mystery saga spanning over two decades of publication.

Start with Bullet Hole, the first of 6 books in the Alan Saxon series.

#	Title
1	Bullet Hole 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Double Eagle 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Green Murder 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Bermuda Grass 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Honolulu Play-Off(As:Keith Miles) 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Flagstick 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1997–2011)

Edward Marston contributed to three separate mystery and crime anthologies between 1997 and 2011, which should be read in publication order: Malice Domestic 6, The Sunken Sailor, and The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8. This complete collection showcases Marston's work across various historical and contemporary crime narratives compiled by different editors.

Start with Malice Domestic 6 and read in order.

#	Title
1	Malice Domestic 6 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Sunken Sailor 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2023–2023)

Edward Marston's Architecture Mysteries series comprises two mystery novels published in 2023 that blend historical fiction with thriller elements. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Homicide in Chicago / Saint's Rest followed by Murder at the Arizona Biltmore / Murder in Perspective. The series appears to be complete with these two entries.

Start with Homicide in Chicago /Saint's Rest and read in order.

5 books (2015–2021)

Edward Marston's Bow Street Rivals is a five-book historical mystery series following rival detectives in eighteenth-century London. Published between 2015 and 2021, the series spans Shadow of the Hangman, Date with the Executioner, Steps to the Gallows, Fugitive from the Grave, and Rage of the Assassin. The books should be read in publication order to follow the ongoing conflicts and character development. The series appears to be complete.

Start with Shadow of the Hangman, the first of 5 books in the Bow Street Rivals series.

#	Title
1	Shadow of the Hangman 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Date with the Executioner 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Steps to the Gallows 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Fugitive from the Grave 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Rage of the Assassin 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2008–2011)

The Captain Rawson series comprises five historical mystery novels published between 2008 and 2011, following the character through his adventures during a tumultuous period of conflict. Edward Marston's complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Drums of War and concluding with A Very Murdering Battle. The books blend historical fiction with mystery and action elements across their tight five-book arc.

Start with Drums of War, the first of 5 books in the Captain Rawson series.

#	Title
1	Drums of War 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Soldier of Fortune 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Fire and Sword 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Under Siege 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	A Very Murdering Battle 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1999–2007)

Edward Marston's Christopher Redmayne series consists of six historical mystery novels published between 1999 and 2007. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The King's Evil and concluding with The Painted Lady. This finished series blends mystery and historical fiction across its entries.

Start with The King's Evil, the first of 6 books in the Christopher Redmayne series.

#	Title
1	The King's Evil 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Amorous Nightingale 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Repentant Rake 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Frost Fair 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Parliament House 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Painted Lady 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1999–2007)

Edward Marston's Ocean Liner Mysteries series follows detectives Dillman and Masefield as they investigate crimes aboard luxury ships during the early twentieth century. The complete eight-book series spans from 1999 to 2007, with each installment set on a different ocean liner including the Lusitania, Mauretania, Minnesota, Caronia, Marmora, Salsette, Oceanic, and Celtic. These historical mysteries blend detective work with the glamorous and dangerous world of transatlantic travel, and should be read in publication order beginning with Murder on the Lusitania.

Start with Murder on the Lusitania, the first of 8 books in the Dillman & Masefield / Ocean Liner Mysteries series.

#	Title
1	Murder on the Lusitania 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Murder on the Mauretania 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Murder on the Minnesota 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Murder on the Caronia 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Murder on the Marmora 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Murder on the Salsette 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Murder on the Oceanic 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Murder on the Celtic 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

11 books (1993–2000)

Edward Marston's Domesday series comprises eleven historical mystery novels published between 1993 and 2000, following publication order from The Wolves of Savernake through The Owls of Gloucester. This complete series uses animal-themed titles to mark each installment's setting across medieval England, with the mysteries unfolding against the backdrop of the Norman Conquest era. Each novel stands as its own self-contained investigation while contributing to the larger historical narrative of the period.

Start with The Wolves of Savernake, the first of 11 books in the Domesday series.

#	Title
1	The Wolves of Savernake 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Ravens of Blackwater 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Dragons of Archenfield 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Lions of the North 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Serpents Of Harbledown 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Stallions of Woodstock 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Hawks of Delamere 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Wildcats of Exeter 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Foxes of Warwick 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Elephants of Norwich 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Owls of Gloucester 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

16 books (1988–2006)

The Elizabethan Theater series consists of 16 complete mystery novels by Edward Marston published between 1988 and 2006. These historical mysteries should be read in publication order, beginning with The Queen's Head. The series blends mystery, historical fiction, and adventure across its four interconnected narratives following various characters navigating the world of Elizabethan theater.

Start with The Queen's Head, the first of 16 books in the Elizabethan Theater series.

#	Title
1	The Queen's Head 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Merry Devils 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Trip to Jerusalem 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Nine Giants 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Mad Courtesan 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Silent Woman 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Roaring Boy 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Laughing Hangman 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Fair Maid of Bohemia 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Wanton Angel 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Devil's Apprentice 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	The Bawdy Basket 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	The Vagabond Clown 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Counterfeit Crank 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	The Malevolent Comedy 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Princess of Denmark 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (1973–1973)

#	Title
1	Dragon's Teeth 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

11 books (2011–2024)

Edward Marston's Home Front Detective series comprises eleven historical mystery novels published between 2011 and 2024, with the series still ongoing. Begin with A Bespoke Murder and proceed through the books in publication order, continuing through the most recent entry, Spring Offensive. This detective series blends mystery and historical fiction, following investigations set against the backdrop of wartime Britain.

Start with A Bespoke Murder, the first of 11 books in the Home Front Detective series.

#	Title
1	A Bespoke Murder 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	An Instrument of Slaughter 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Five Dead Canaries 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Deeds of Darkness 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Dance of Death 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Enemy Within 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Under Attack 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Unseen Hand 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Orders to Kill 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Danger of Defeat 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Spring Offensive 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

25 books (2004–2026)

The Inspector Robert Colbeck series comprises 24 books of historical mystery fiction authored by Edward Marston, with the first installment published in 2004 and the most recent in 2025. This ongoing series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Railway Detective and continuing through subsequent titles including The Excursion Train, The Railway Viaduct, and Murder on the Brighton Express. The novels follow investigations set against the backdrop of Victorian and Edwardian railway history, blending detective work with the era's industrial development and technological innovation.

Start with The Railway Detective, the first of 24 books in the Inspector Robert Colbeck series.

#	Title
1	The Railway Detective 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Excursion Train 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Railway Viaduct 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Murder on the Brighton Express 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Iron Horse 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Silver Locomotive Mystery 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Railway to the Grave 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Blood on the Line 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Stationmaster's Farewell 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Peril on the Royal Train 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	A Ticket to Oblivion 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Timetable of Death 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Signal for Vengeance 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	A Christmas Railway Mystery 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	The Circus Train Conspiracy 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Fear on the Phantom Special 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Points of Danger 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Slaughter in the Sapperton Tunnel 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Tragedy on the Branch Line 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Railway Detective's Christmas Case 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Death at the Terminus 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Murder in Transit 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Murder on the Great Northern Railway 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Mystery at the Station Hotel 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	The Corpse on the Bristol Train 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2014–2014)

#	Title
1	Inspector Colbeck's Casebook 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1997–1999)

The Merlin Richards series consists of two mystery novels published in the late 1990s and should be read in publication order. Edward Marston completed this two-book series with Murder in Perspective arriving first in 1997, followed by Saint's Rest in 1999. The novels blend historical fiction with mystery elements, offering readers a finished series that can be enjoyed without concern for ongoing storylines.

Start with Murder in Perspective and read in order.

#	Title
1	Murder in Perspective 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Saint's Rest 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2008–2008)

#	Title
1	Crime Archive 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1985–1997)

This complete mystery series comprises four short story and novella collections published between 1985 and 1997. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Vandals and concluding with Corbett Correspondence. Peter Lovesey's short fiction works span mystery, historical fiction, and thriller elements across these four volumes.

Start with Vandals(By: Peter Lovesey), the first of 4 books in the Peter Lovesey Short Stories/Novellas series.

#	Title
1	Vandals(By: Peter Lovesey) 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Crime of Miss Oyster Brown(By: Peter Lovesey) 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	A Parrot is Forever(By: Peter Lovesey) 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Corbett Correspondence(With: Peter Lovesey) 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2005–2005)

#	Title
1	Murder, Ancient And Modern 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1988–1989)

The Sin Bin series comprises four standalone mystery novels by Edward Marston, published between 1988 and 1989. Each book follows a different protagonist—Iggy, Melanie, Bev, and Tariq—and should be read in publication order to experience the complete series. This finished collection blends historical fiction and thriller elements across its interconnected narratives.

Start with Iggy, the first of 4 books in the Sin Bin series.

#	Title
1	Iggy 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Melanie 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Bev 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Tariq 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1975–1984)

Edward Marston's seven standalone novels were published between 1975 and 1984, spanning mystery, historical fiction, horror, and adventure genres. The series includes Ambridge Summer, The Warrior Kings, Marco Polo, We'll Meet Again, Breaks, Boys from the Blackstuff, and Finest Swordsman in All France. These independent works should be read in publication order and the series is now complete.

Start with Ambridge Summer, the first of 7 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Ambridge Summer 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Warrior Kings 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Marco Polo 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	We'll Meet Again 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Breaks 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Boys from the Blackstuff 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Finest Swordsman in All France 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible