James Oswald Reading Order

3 books (2017–2023)

This mystery and thriller anthology series by James Oswald contains two published collections released between 2019 and 2023, with the series appearing to be complete. The books should be read in publication order starting with Exit Wounds, followed by An Unnecessary Assassin, though Dead Simple is also part of the collection. Each volume gathers standalone stories that showcase Oswald's work in the mystery and thriller genres.

Start with Exit Wounds and read in order.

#	Title
1	Dead Simple 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Exit Wounds 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	An Unnecessary Assassin 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2012–2016)

The Ballad of Sir Benfro is a five-book fantasy series by James Oswald, published between 2012 and 2016. This complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dreamwalker and continuing through The Golden Cage, The Rose Cord, The Broken World, and concluding with The Obsidian Throne. The books blend elements of mystery and thriller with an expansive fantasy narrative that unfolds across the full sequence.

Start with Dreamwalker, the first of 5 books in the Ballad of Sir Benfro series.

#	Title
1	Dreamwalker 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Golden Cage 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Rose Cord 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Broken World 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Obsidian Throne 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

9 books (1997–2019)

This complete series of nine short stories and novellas by Christopher Fowler spans from 1997 to 2019 and should be read in publication order. The collection includes standalone tales and pieces written in collaboration, offering mystery and thriller content across the full range of the author's career.

Start with Wage Slaves(By: Christopher Fowler), the first of 9 books in the Christopher Fowler Short Stories/Novellas series.

#	Title
1	Wage Slaves(By: Christopher Fowler) 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Green Man(By: Christopher Fowler) 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	American Waitress(By: Christopher Fowler) 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Spider Kiss(By: Christopher Fowler) 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Beautiful Men(By: Christopher Fowler) 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	#ChooseThePlot(With: Jane Casey,Christopher Fowler) 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Bryant & May and the Nameless Woman(By: Christopher Fowler) 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Reconciliation Day(By: Christopher Fowler) 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Washing(By: Christopher Fowler) 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2018–2021)

James Oswald's Constance Fairchild series consists of three mystery thrillers published between 2018 and 2021. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with No Time to Cry, followed by Nothing to Hide and Nowhere to Run. The series appears to be complete as of now.

Start with No Time to Cry and read in order.

#	Title
1	No Time to Cry 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Nothing to Hide 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Nowhere to Run 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

15 books (2012–2026)

The Inspector McLean series by James Oswald comprises fifteen mystery and thriller novels following a detective protagonist through evolving cases in Scotland. Published from 2012 through 2025, the series remains ongoing with books best read in publication order beginning with Natural Causes. Each installment builds on the detective's personal and professional journey while presenting standalone mysteries woven into the larger narrative arc.

Start with Natural Causes, the first of 14 books in the Inspector McLean series.

#	Title
1	Natural Causes 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Book of Souls 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Dead Men's Bones 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Hangman's Song 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Prayer for the Dead 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Damage Done 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Written in Bones 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Gathering Dark 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Cold as the Grave 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Bury Them Deep 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	What Will Burn 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	All That Lives 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	For Our Sins 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Rest Is Death 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	The Violent Hour 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2014–2014)

1 book (2024–2024)