Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
George Bellairs

George Bellairs Reading Order

3 series · 164 books · Born 19 April 1902

Mystery & Thriller

George Bellairs, the pseudonym of Harold Blundell, was a prolific British detective fiction writer active from 1862 to 2024. Renowned for his engaging mysteries, Bellairs authored 164 works across three series, with the most notable being the Thomas Littlejohn series. His contributions to crime literature also include standalone novels and entries in the British Library Crime Classics.

British Library Crime Classics Series

Ongoing

102 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
Cover of The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams)
The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams)
1862Buy 🇺🇸
2
Cover of The Poisoned Chocolates Case(By: Anthony Berkeley)
The Poisoned Chocolates Case(By: Anthony Berkeley)
1929Buy 🇺🇸
3
Cover of It Walks by Night(By: John Dickson Carr)
It Walks by Night(By: John Dickson Carr)
1930Buy 🇺🇸
4
Cover of The Secret of High Eldersham / The Mystery of High Eldersham(By: Miles Burton)
The Secret of High Eldersham / The Mystery of High Eldersham(By: Miles Burton)
1930Buy 🇺🇸
5
Cover of Castle Skull(By: John Dickson Carr)
Castle Skull(By: John Dickson Carr)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
6
Murder of a Lady / The Silver Scale Mystery(By: Anthony Wynne)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
7
Cover of Mystery in the Channel(By: Freeman Crofts)
Mystery in the Channel(By: Freeman Crofts)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
8
Cover of The Incredible Crime(By: Lois Austen-Leigh)
The Incredible Crime(By: Lois Austen-Leigh)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
9
Cover of The Lost Gallows(By: John Dickson Carr)
The Lost Gallows(By: John Dickson Carr)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
10
Cover of The Z Murders(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
The Z Murders(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1931Buy 🇺🇸
11
Cover of The Corpse in the Waxworks / The Waxworks Murder(By: John Dickson Carr)
The Corpse in the Waxworks / The Waxworks Murder(By: John Dickson Carr)
1932Buy 🇺🇸
12
Cover of The Division Bell Mystery(By: Ellen Wilkinson)
The Division Bell Mystery(By: Ellen Wilkinson)
1932Buy 🇺🇸
13
Cover of Death in Fancy Dress(By: Anthony Gilbert)
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
Cover of The Hog's Back Mystery(By: Freeman Crofts)
The Hog's Back Mystery(By: Freeman Crofts)
1933Buy 🇺🇸
17
Cover of Death of an Airman(By: Christopher Sprigg)
Death of an Airman(By: Christopher Sprigg)
1934Buy 🇺🇸
18
Cover of Murder Underground(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
Murder Underground(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1934Buy 🇺🇸
19
Quick Curtain(By: Alan Melville)
1934Buy 🇺🇸
20
Cover of Scarweather(By: Anthony Rolls)
Scarweather(By: Anthony Rolls)
1934Buy 🇺🇸
21
Cover of The 12.30 from Croydon(By: Freeman Crofts)
The 12.30 from Croydon(By: Freeman Crofts)
1934Buy 🇺🇸
22
Cover of The Chianti Flask(By: Marie Belloc Lowndes)
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
Cover of Death on the Cherwell(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
Death on the Cherwell(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1935Buy 🇺🇸
27
Cover of The Cornish Coast Murder(By: John Bude)
The Cornish Coast Murder(By: John Bude)
1935Buy 🇺🇸
28
Cover of The Lake District Murder(By: John Bude)
The Lake District Murder(By: John Bude)
1935Buy 🇺🇸
29
Cover of Death in the Tunnel / Dark in the Tunnel(By: Miles Burton)
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(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
32
Murder in Piccadilly(By: Charles Kingston)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
33
Cover of The Santa Klaus Murder(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
The Santa Klaus Murder(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
34
Cover of The Sussex Downs Murder(By: John Bude)
The Sussex Downs Murder(By: John Bude)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
35
Cover of The Traitor(By: Sydney Horler)
The Traitor(By: Sydney Horler)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
36
The Wheel Spins / Passengers / The Lady Vanishes(By: Ethel Lina White)
1936Buy 🇺🇸
37
Cover of Bats in the Belfry(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Bats in the Belfry(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1937Buy 🇺🇸
38
Mystery in White(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1937Buy 🇺🇸
39
Cover of The Cheltenham Square Murder(By: John Bude)
The Cheltenham Square Murder(By: John Bude)
1937Buy 🇺🇸
40
Cover of Antidote to Venom(By: Freeman Crofts)
Antidote to Venom(By: Freeman Crofts)
1938Buy 🇺🇸
41
Cover of Excellent Intentions(By: Richard Hull)
Excellent Intentions(By: Richard Hull)
1938Buy 🇺🇸
42
Cover of Murder in the Museum(By: John Rowland)
Murder in the Museum(By: John Rowland)
1938Buy 🇺🇸
43
Cover of The Port of London Murders(By: Josephine Bell)
The Port of London Murders(By: Josephine Bell)
1938Buy 🇺🇸
44
Cover of Thirteen Guests(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
Thirteen Guests(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1938Buy 🇺🇸
45
Cover of Seven Dead(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
Seven Dead(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1939Buy 🇺🇸
46
Cover of The Arsenal Stadium Mystery(By: Leonard R. Gribble)
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery(By: Leonard R. Gribble)
1939Buy 🇺🇸
47
A Scream in Soho(By: John G. Brandon)
1940Buy 🇺🇸
48
Cover of Verdict of Twelve(By: Raymond Postgate)
Verdict of Twelve(By: Raymond Postgate)
1940Buy 🇺🇸
49
Cover of Death of a Busybody
Death of a Busybody
1942Buy 🇺🇸
50
Cover of The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
1942Buy 🇺🇸
51
Cover of Murder's a Swine(By: Nap Lombard)
Murder's a Swine(By: Nap Lombard)
1943Buy 🇺🇸
52
Somebody at the Door(By: Raymond Postgate)
1943Buy 🇺🇸
53
Cover of Checkmate to Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Checkmate to Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1944Buy 🇺🇸
54
Fell Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1944Buy 🇺🇸
55
Cover of Murder by Matchlight(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Murder by Matchlight(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1945Buy 🇺🇸
56
Cover of Trouble on the Thames(By: Victor Bridges)
Trouble on the Thames(By: Victor Bridges)
1945Buy 🇺🇸
57
Cover of Fire in the Thatch(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Fire in the Thatch(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1946Buy 🇺🇸
58
Cover of Death Makes a Prophet(By: John Bude)
Death Makes a Prophet(By: John Bude)
1947Buy 🇺🇸
59
Cover of Calamity in Kent(By: John Rowland)
Calamity in Kent(By: John Rowland)
1950Buy 🇺🇸
60
Cover of Smallbone Deceased(By: Michael Gilbert)
Smallbone Deceased(By: Michael Gilbert)
1950Buy 🇺🇸
61
Cover of Death Has Deep Roots(By: Michael Gilbert)
Death Has Deep Roots(By: Michael Gilbert)
1951Buy 🇺🇸
62
Cover of Crossed Skis(By: Carol Carnac)
Crossed Skis(By: Carol Carnac)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
63
Cover of Death on the Riviera(By: John Bude)
Death on the Riviera(By: John Bude)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
64
Last Seen Wearing(By: Hillary Waugh)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
65
Cover of London Particular / Fog of Doubt(By: Christianna Brand)
London Particular / Fog of Doubt(By: Christianna Brand)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
66
Cover of Murder in the Mill-Race(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Murder in the Mill-Race(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
67
Cover of The Danger Within / Death in Captivity(By: Michael Gilbert)
The Danger Within / Death in Captivity(By: Michael Gilbert)
1952Buy 🇺🇸
68
Murder As a Fine Art(By: Carol Carnac)
1953Buy 🇺🇸
69
Cover of The Man Who Didn't Fly(By: Margot Bennett)
The Man Who Didn't Fly(By: Margot Bennett)
1955Buy 🇺🇸
70
Cover of The Colour Of Murder(By: Julian Symons)
The Colour Of Murder(By: Julian Symons)
1957Buy 🇺🇸
71
Cover of The Christmas Egg(By: Mary Kelly)
The Christmas Egg(By: Mary Kelly)
1958Buy 🇺🇸
72
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm(By: Gil North)
1960Buy 🇺🇸
73
Cover of The Progress of a Crime(By: Julian Symons)
The Progress of a Crime(By: Julian Symons)
1960Buy 🇺🇸
74
The Body in the Dumb River
1961Buy 🇺🇸
75
Cover of The Spoilt Kill(By: Mary Kelly)
The Spoilt Kill(By: Mary Kelly)
1961Buy 🇺🇸
76
Cover of Due to a Death / The Dead of Summer(By: Mary Kelly)
Due to a Death / The Dead of Summer(By: Mary Kelly)
1963Buy 🇺🇸
77
Cover of Surfeit of Suspects
Surfeit of Suspects
1964Buy 🇺🇸
78
Cover of The Belting Inheritance(By: Julian Symons)
The Belting Inheritance(By: Julian Symons)
1965Buy 🇺🇸
79
Cover of The Last Best Friend(By: George Sims)
The Last Best Friend(By: George Sims)
1967Buy 🇺🇸
80
Tea on Sunday(By: Lettice Cooper)
1973Buy 🇺🇸
81
Cover of The End of the Web(By: George Sims)
The End of the Web(By: George Sims)
1976Buy 🇺🇸
82
Cover of Capital Crimes(By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh)
Capital Crimes(By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh)
2015Buy 🇺🇸
83
Resorting to Murder(By: Martin Edwards)
2015Buy 🇺🇸
84
Silent Nights(By: Martin Edwards)
2015Buy 🇺🇸
85
Cover of Crimson Snow(By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume)
Crimson Snow(By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume)
2016Buy 🇺🇸
86
Cover of Murder at the Manor(By: Martin Edwards)
Murder at the Manor(By: Martin Edwards)
2016Buy 🇺🇸
87
Cover of Serpents in Eden(By: Martin Edwards)
Serpents in Eden(By: Martin Edwards)
2016Buy 🇺🇸
88
Cover of Continental Crimes(By: Martin Edwards)
Continental Crimes(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸
89
Cover of Foreign Bodies(By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz)
Foreign Bodies(By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz)
2017Buy 🇺🇸
90
Cover of Miraculous Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
Miraculous Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸
91
Cover of The Long Arm of the Law(By: Martin Edwards)
The Long Arm of the Law(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸
92
Cover of Blood on the Tracks(By: Martin Edwards)
Blood on the Tracks(By: Martin Edwards)
2018Buy 🇺🇸
93
Cover of Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book(By: Kate Jackson)
Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book(By: Kate Jackson)
2018Buy 🇺🇸
94
Cover of The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories(By: Martin Edwards)
The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories(By: Martin Edwards)
2018Buy 🇺🇸
95
Cover of Deep Waters(By: Martin Edwards)
Deep Waters(By: Martin Edwards)
2019Buy 🇺🇸
96
Cover of The Measure of Malice(By: Martin Edwards)
The Measure of Malice(By: Martin Edwards)
2019Buy 🇺🇸
97
Cover of A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
2020Buy 🇺🇸
98
Cover of Settling Scores(By: Martin Edwards)
Settling Scores(By: Martin Edwards)
2020Buy 🇺🇸
99
Cover of Guilty Creatures(By: Martin Edwards)
Guilty Creatures(By: Martin Edwards)
2021Buy 🇺🇸
100
Cover of Two-Way Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Two-Way Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
2021Buy 🇺🇸
101
Crimes of Cymru(By: Martin Edwards)
2023Buy 🇺🇸
102
Lessons in Crime(By: Martin Edwards)
2024Buy 🇺🇸

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

5 books (1943–1950)

Start with Death Stops the Frolic / Turmoil In Zion, the first of 5 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#Title
1
Death Stops the Frolic / Turmoil In Zion
1943Buy 🇺🇸
2
Murder at Morning Prayers(As: Hilary Landon)
1947Buy 🇺🇸
3
Circle Round a Corpse(As:Hilary Landon)
1948Buy 🇺🇸
4
Choose Your Own Verdict(As:Hilary Landon)
1949Buy 🇺🇸
5
Exit Sir Toby Belch(As:Hilary Landon)
1950Buy 🇺🇸

Thomas Littlejohn Series

Complete

57 books (1941–1980)

Start with Littlejohn on Leave, the first of 57 books in the Thomas Littlejohn series.

#Title
1
Littlejohn on Leave
1941Buy 🇺🇸
2
Cover of Death of a Busybody
Death of a Busybody
1942Buy 🇺🇸
3
Cover of The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
1942Buy 🇺🇸
4
The Four Unfaithful Servants
1942Buy 🇺🇸
5
The Case of the Seven Whistlers
1944Buy 🇺🇸
6
Calamity at Harwood
1945Buy 🇺🇸
7
Cover of He'd Rather Be Dead
He'd Rather Be Dead
1945Buy 🇺🇸
8
Death in the Night Watches
1946Buy 🇺🇸
9
The Case of the Scared Rabbits
1946Buy 🇺🇸
10
The Crime at Halfpenny Bridge
1946Buy 🇺🇸
11
Cover of Death on the Last Train
Death on the Last Train
1948Buy 🇺🇸
12
Outrage on Gallows Hill
1949Buy 🇺🇸
13
Cover of The Case of the DeMented Spiv
The Case of the DeMented Spiv
1949Buy 🇺🇸
14
Cover of The Case of the Famished Parson
The Case of the Famished Parson
1949Buy 🇺🇸
15
Cover of Half-Mast for the Deemster
Half-Mast for the Deemster
1950Buy 🇺🇸
16
The Case of the Headless Jesuit
1950Buy 🇺🇸
17
Cover of Dead March for Penelope Blow
Dead March for Penelope Blow
1951Buy 🇺🇸
18
Crime in Lepers' Hollow
1952Buy 🇺🇸
19
Cover of Death in Dark Glasses
Death in Dark Glasses
1952Buy 🇺🇸
20
Cover of A Knife for Harry Dodd
A Knife for Harry Dodd
1953Buy 🇺🇸
21
Cover of Corpses in Enderby
Corpses in Enderby
1954Buy 🇺🇸
22
Cover of The Cursing Stones Murder
The Cursing Stones Murder
1954Buy 🇺🇸
23
Cover of Death in Room Five
Death in Room Five
1955Buy 🇺🇸
24
Cover of Death Drops the Pilot
Death Drops the Pilot
1956Buy 🇺🇸
25
Cover of Death Treads Softly
Death Treads Softly
1956Buy 🇺🇸
26
Cover of Death Sends for the Doctor
Death Sends for the Doctor
1957Buy 🇺🇸
27
Cover of Death in High Provence
Death in High Provence
1957Buy 🇺🇸
28
Cover of Corpse at the Carnival
Corpse at the Carnival
1958Buy 🇺🇸
29
Cover of Murder Makes Mistakes
Murder Makes Mistakes
1958Buy 🇺🇸
30
Cover of Bones in the Wilderness
Bones in the Wilderness
1959Buy 🇺🇸
31
Cover of Toll the Bell for Murder
Toll the Bell for Murder
1959Buy 🇺🇸
32
Death in Despair
1960Buy 🇺🇸
33
Death in the Fearful Night
1960Buy 🇺🇸
34
Cover of Death of a Tin God
Death of a Tin God
1961Buy 🇺🇸
35
Cover of Murder Masquerade
Murder Masquerade
1961Buy 🇺🇸
36
The Body in the Dumb River
1961Buy 🇺🇸
37
Cover of Death Before Breakfast
Death Before Breakfast
1962Buy 🇺🇸
38
Cover of The Tormentors
The Tormentors
1962Buy 🇺🇸
39
Cover of Death in the Wasteland
Death in the Wasteland
1963Buy 🇺🇸
40
Cover of Death of a Shadow
Death of a Shadow
1964Buy 🇺🇸
41
Cover of Surfeit of Suspects
Surfeit of Suspects
1964Buy 🇺🇸
42
Cover of Death Spins the Wheel
Death Spins the Wheel
1965Buy 🇺🇸
43
Cover of Intruder in the Dark
Intruder in the Dark
1966Buy 🇺🇸
44
Cover of Strangers Among the Dead
Strangers Among the Dead
1966Buy 🇺🇸
45
Cover of Death in Desolation
Death in Desolation
1967Buy 🇺🇸
46
Single ticket to Death
1967Buy 🇺🇸
47
Fatal Alibi
1968Buy 🇺🇸
48
Cover of Murder Gone Mad
Murder Gone Mad
1968Buy 🇺🇸
49
Cover of Tycoon's Death-Bed
Tycoon's Death-Bed
1970Buy 🇺🇸
50
Cover of Pomeroy Deceased
Pomeroy Deceased
1971Buy 🇺🇸
51
Cover of The Night They Killed Joss Varran
The Night They Killed Joss Varran
1971Buy 🇺🇸
52
Murder Adrift
1972Buy 🇺🇸
53
Cover of Devious Murder
Devious Murder
1973Buy 🇺🇸
54
Cover of Fear Round About
Fear Round About
1975Buy 🇺🇸
55
Cover of All Roads to Sospel
All Roads to Sospel
1977Buy 🇺🇸
56
Cover of The Downhill Ride Of Leeman Popple
The Downhill Ride Of Leeman Popple
1979Buy 🇺🇸
57
Cover of An Old Man Dies
An Old Man Dies
1980Buy 🇺🇸

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has George Bellairs written?
George Bellairs has written 164 books across 3 series. Their published works span from 1862 to 2024.
What is the first book in each George Bellairs series?
Here are the first books in George Bellairs's series: British Library Crime Classics: The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams); Thomas Littlejohn: Littlejohn on Leave.
What order should I read George Bellairs's books?
We recommend reading George Bellairs's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is George Bellairs still writing new books?
Yes, George Bellairs has 1 ongoing series: British Library Crime Classics.

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