Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
James Oswald

James Oswald Reading Order

7 series · 37 books

Mystery & Thriller

James Oswald is a prolific Scottish mystery writer best known for the Inspector McLean series, which features detective work set against a gritty, atmospheric Edinburgh backdrop. His crime fiction explores the psychological depths of criminal investigation, with protagonists who uncover supernatural and psychological darkness beneath seemingly ordinary cases. Across multiple series and standalone works published since 1997, Oswald has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary British detective fiction, earning critical recognition including CWA Debut Dagger nominations for his early novels.

Website

Anthologies Series

Likely Complete

3 books (2017–2023)

Start with Exit Wounds and read in order.

Start this series with Dead Simple

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
3
Cover of An Unnecessary Assassin
An Unnecessary Assassin
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Ballad of Sir Benfro Series

Complete

5 books (2012–2016)

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

Start this series with Dreamwalker

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

Christopher Fowler Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

9 books (1997–2019)

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

Start this series with Wage Slaves(By: Christopher Fowler)

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Wage Slaves(By: Christopher Fowler)
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
The Green Man(By: Christopher Fowler)
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of American Waitress(By: Christopher Fowler)
American Waitress(By: Christopher Fowler)
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Spider Kiss(By: Christopher Fowler)
The Spider Kiss(By: Christopher Fowler)
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Beautiful Men(By: Christopher Fowler)
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
Cover of The Washing(By: Christopher Fowler)
The Washing(By: Christopher Fowler)
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

DC Constance Fairchild Series

Likely Complete

3 books (2018–2021)

Start with No Time to Cry and read in order.

Start this series with No Time to Cry

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of No Time to Cry
No Time to Cry
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Nothing to Hide
Nothing to Hide
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Nowhere to Run
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Inspector McLean Series

Ongoing

15 books (2012–2026)

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

Start this series with Natural Causes

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Natural Causes
Natural Causes
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Book of Souls
The Book of Souls
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Dead Men's Bones
Dead Men's Bones
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Hangman's Song
The Hangman's Song
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Prayer for the Dead
Prayer for the Dead
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of The Damage Done
The Damage Done
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Written in Bones
Written in Bones
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of The Gathering Dark
The Gathering Dark
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of Cold as the Grave
Cold as the Grave
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of Bury Them Deep
Bury Them Deep
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of What Will Burn
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

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Complete

1 book (2014–2014)

#Title
1
#ChooseThePlot(With: Jane Casey,Christopher Fowler)
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

1 book (2024–2024)

#Title
1
Broken Ghosts
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has James Oswald written?
James Oswald has written 37 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1997 to 2026.
What is the first book in each James Oswald series?
Here are the first books in James Oswald's series: Anthologies: Dead Simple; Ballad of Sir Benfro: Dreamwalker; Christopher Fowler Short Stories/Novellas: Wage Slaves(By: Christopher Fowler); DC Constance Fairchild: No Time to Cry; Inspector McLean: Natural Causes.
What order should I read James Oswald's books?
We recommend reading James Oswald's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is James Oswald still writing new books?
Yes, James Oswald has 1 ongoing series: Inspector McLean.

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