Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
George Bellairs

George Bellairs Reading Order

3 series · 165 books · Born 1902-04-19

Mystery & Thriller

George Bellairs was the crime-writing pseudonym of Harold Blundell, a Manchester banker who crafted over fifty detective novels across four decades. His most celebrated creation is Inspector Thomas Littlejohn, a tenacious and world-weary detective whose cases span the breadth of 1930s and 1940s Britain. Bellairs' methodical plotting and richly drawn provincial settings established him as a skilled practitioner of the classic British detective tradition.

British Library Crime Classics Series

Ongoing

103 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.

Start this series with The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams)

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams)
The Notting Hill Mystery(By: Charles Warren Adams)
1862Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Poisoned Chocolates Case(By: Anthony Berkeley)
The Poisoned Chocolates Case(By: Anthony Berkeley)
1929Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of It Walks by Night(By: John Dickson Carr)
It Walks by Night(By: John Dickson Carr)
1930Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
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 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Castle Skull(By: John Dickson Carr)
Castle Skull(By: John Dickson Carr)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Murder of a Lady / The Silver Scale Mystery(By: Anthony Wynne)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Mystery in the Channel(By: Freeman Crofts)
Mystery in the Channel(By: Freeman Crofts)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of The Incredible Crime(By: Lois Austen-Leigh)
The Incredible Crime(By: Lois Austen-Leigh)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Lost Gallows(By: John Dickson Carr)
The Lost Gallows(By: John Dickson Carr)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Z Murders(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
The Z Murders(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1931Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
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 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of The Division Bell Mystery(By: Ellen Wilkinson)
The Division Bell Mystery(By: Ellen Wilkinson)
1932Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of Death in Fancy Dress(By: Anthony Gilbert)
Death in Fancy Dress(By: Anthony Gilbert)
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Family Matters(By: Anthony Rolls)
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Portrait of a Murderer(By: Anne Meredith)
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of The Hog's Back Mystery(By: Freeman Crofts)
The Hog's Back Mystery(By: Freeman Crofts)
1933Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
Cover of Death of an Airman(By: Christopher Sprigg)
Death of an Airman(By: Christopher Sprigg)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18
Cover of Murder Underground(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
Murder Underground(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19
Quick Curtain(By: Alan Melville)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20
Cover of Scarweather(By: Anthony Rolls)
Scarweather(By: Anthony Rolls)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21
Cover of The 12.30 from Croydon(By: Freeman Crofts)
The 12.30 from Croydon(By: Freeman Crofts)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22
Cover of The Chianti Flask(By: Marie Belloc Lowndes)
The Chianti Flask(By: Marie Belloc Lowndes)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23
The Mysterious Mr. Badman(By: William Fryer Harvey)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24
The Spy Paramount(By: E. Phillips Oppenheim)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25
Weekend at Thrackley(By: Alan Melville)
1934Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26
Cover of Death on the Cherwell(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
Death on the Cherwell(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1935Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27
Cover of The Cornish Coast Murder(By: John Bude)
The Cornish Coast Murder(By: John Bude)
1935Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28
Cover of The Lake District Murder(By: John Bude)
The Lake District Murder(By: John Bude)
1935Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
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 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30
Death of Anton(By: Alan Melville)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
31
Death of an Author(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
32
Murder in Piccadilly(By: Charles Kingston)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
33
Cover of The Santa Klaus Murder(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
The Santa Klaus Murder(By: Mavis Doriel Hay)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
34
Cover of The Sussex Downs Murder(By: John Bude)
The Sussex Downs Murder(By: John Bude)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
35
Cover of The Traitor(By: Sydney Horler)
The Traitor(By: Sydney Horler)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
36
The Wheel Spins / Passengers / The Lady Vanishes(By: Ethel Lina White)
1936Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
37
Cover of Bats in the Belfry(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Bats in the Belfry(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1937Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
38
Mystery in White(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1937Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
39
Cover of The Cheltenham Square Murder(By: John Bude)
The Cheltenham Square Murder(By: John Bude)
1937Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
40
Cover of Antidote to Venom(By: Freeman Crofts)
Antidote to Venom(By: Freeman Crofts)
1938Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
41
Cover of Excellent Intentions(By: Richard Hull)
Excellent Intentions(By: Richard Hull)
1938Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
42
Cover of Murder in the Museum(By: John Rowland)
Murder in the Museum(By: John Rowland)
1938Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
43
Cover of The Port of London Murders(By: Josephine Bell)
The Port of London Murders(By: Josephine Bell)
1938Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
44
Cover of Thirteen Guests(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
Thirteen Guests(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1938Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
45
Cover of Seven Dead(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
Seven Dead(By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)
1939Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
46
Cover of The Arsenal Stadium Mystery(By: Leonard R. Gribble)
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery(By: Leonard R. Gribble)
1939Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
47
A Scream in Soho(By: John G. Brandon)
1940Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
48
Cover of Verdict of Twelve(By: Raymond Postgate)
Verdict of Twelve(By: Raymond Postgate)
1940Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
49
Cover of Death of a Busybody
Death of a Busybody
1942Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
50
Cover of The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack
1942Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
51
Cover of Murder's a Swine(By: Nap Lombard)
Murder's a Swine(By: Nap Lombard)
1943Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
52
Somebody at the Door(By: Raymond Postgate)
1943Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
53
Cover of Checkmate to Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Checkmate to Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1944Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
54
Fell Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1944Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
55
Cover of Murder by Matchlight(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Murder by Matchlight(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1945Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
56
Cover of Trouble on the Thames(By: Victor Bridges)
Trouble on the Thames(By: Victor Bridges)
1945Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
57
Cover of Fire in the Thatch(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Fire in the Thatch(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1946Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
58
Cover of Death Makes a Prophet(By: John Bude)
Death Makes a Prophet(By: John Bude)
1947Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
59
Cover of Calamity in Kent(By: John Rowland)
Calamity in Kent(By: John Rowland)
1950Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
60
Cover of Smallbone Deceased(By: Michael Gilbert)
Smallbone Deceased(By: Michael Gilbert)
1950Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
61
Cover of Death Has Deep Roots(By: Michael Gilbert)
Death Has Deep Roots(By: Michael Gilbert)
1951Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
62
Cover of Crossed Skis(By: Carol Carnac)
Crossed Skis(By: Carol Carnac)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
63
Cover of Death on the Riviera(By: John Bude)
Death on the Riviera(By: John Bude)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
64
Last Seen Wearing(By: Hillary Waugh)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
65
Cover of London Particular / Fog of Doubt(By: Christianna Brand)
London Particular / Fog of Doubt(By: Christianna Brand)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
66
Murder in the Mill-Race / Speak Justly of the Dead(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
67
Cover of Murder in the Mill-Race(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Murder in the Mill-Race(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
68
Cover of The Danger Within / Death in Captivity(By: Michael Gilbert)
The Danger Within / Death in Captivity(By: Michael Gilbert)
1952Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
69
Murder As a Fine Art(By: Carol Carnac)
1953Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
70
Cover of The Man Who Didn't Fly(By: Margot Bennett)
The Man Who Didn't Fly(By: Margot Bennett)
1955Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
71
Cover of The Colour Of Murder(By: Julian Symons)
The Colour Of Murder(By: Julian Symons)
1957Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
72
Cover of The Christmas Egg(By: Mary Kelly)
The Christmas Egg(By: Mary Kelly)
1958Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
73
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm(By: Gil North)
1960Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
74
Cover of The Progress of a Crime(By: Julian Symons)
The Progress of a Crime(By: Julian Symons)
1960Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
75
The Body in the Dumb River
1961Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
76
Cover of The Spoilt Kill(By: Mary Kelly)
The Spoilt Kill(By: Mary Kelly)
1961Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
77
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 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
78
Cover of Surfeit of Suspects
Surfeit of Suspects
1964Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
79
Cover of The Belting Inheritance(By: Julian Symons)
The Belting Inheritance(By: Julian Symons)
1965Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
80
Cover of The Last Best Friend(By: George Sims)
The Last Best Friend(By: George Sims)
1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
81
Tea on Sunday(By: Lettice Cooper)
1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
82
Cover of The End of the Web(By: George Sims)
The End of the Web(By: George Sims)
1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
83
Cover of Capital Crimes(By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh)
Capital Crimes(By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh)
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
84
Resorting to Murder(By: Martin Edwards)
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
85
Silent Nights(By: Martin Edwards)
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
86
Cover of Crimson Snow(By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume)
Crimson Snow(By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume)
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
87
Cover of Murder at the Manor(By: Martin Edwards)
Murder at the Manor(By: Martin Edwards)
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
88
Cover of Serpents in Eden(By: Martin Edwards)
Serpents in Eden(By: Martin Edwards)
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
89
Cover of Continental Crimes(By: Martin Edwards)
Continental Crimes(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
90
Cover of Foreign Bodies(By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz)
Foreign Bodies(By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz)
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
91
Cover of Miraculous Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
Miraculous Mysteries(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
92
Cover of The Long Arm of the Law(By: Martin Edwards)
The Long Arm of the Law(By: Martin Edwards)
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
93
Cover of Blood on the Tracks(By: Martin Edwards)
Blood on the Tracks(By: Martin Edwards)
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
94
Cover of Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book(By: Kate Jackson)
Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book(By: Kate Jackson)
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
95
Cover of The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories(By: Martin Edwards)
The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories(By: Martin Edwards)
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
96
Cover of Deep Waters(By: Martin Edwards)
Deep Waters(By: Martin Edwards)
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
97
Cover of The Measure of Malice(By: Martin Edwards)
The Measure of Malice(By: Martin Edwards)
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
98
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 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
99
Cover of Settling Scores(By: Martin Edwards)
Settling Scores(By: Martin Edwards)
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
100
Cover of Guilty Creatures(By: Martin Edwards)
Guilty Creatures(By: Martin Edwards)
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
101
Cover of Two-Way Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
Two-Way Murder(By: E.C.R. Lorac)
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
102
Crimes of Cymru(By: Martin Edwards)
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
103
Lessons in Crime(By: Martin Edwards)
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

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.

Start this series with Death Stops the Frolic / Turmoil In Zion

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

Thomas Littlejohn Series

Complete

57 books (1941–1980)

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

Start this series with Littlejohn on Leave

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has George Bellairs written?
George Bellairs has written 165 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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