
John Creasey Reading Order
16 series · 504 books · Born 1908-09-17
John Creasey was a prolific English author who published over 500 novels across multiple genres, including crime fiction, science fiction, and thrillers, under more than two dozen pseudonyms between 1932 and 2011. He created numerous enduring characters that became fixtures in crime and spy fiction, including The Toff, Commander Gideon of Scotland Yard, Inspector Roger West, and Dr. Emmanuel Cellini, many of which were adapted for film and television. Creasey's vast output and imaginative character work established him as one of the most commercially successful and creatively prolific writers of the twentieth century.
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Anthologies Series
Complete2 books (1969–2011)
This completed two-book anthology series by John Creasey spans from 1969 to 2011 and should be read in publication order. The first volume, Best Underworld Stories, focuses on mystery and thriller narratives, while the second, The Sync Book: Myths, Magic, Media, and Mindscapes: 26 Authors on Synchronicity, shifts toward science fiction and explores the concept of synchronicity through contributions from multiple authors.
Start with Best Underworld Stories and read in order.
Start this series with Best Underworld Stories
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleBaron Series
Complete47 books (1937–1979)
The Baron is a 47-book mystery and thriller series by John Creasey spanning from 1937 to 1979. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Meet the Baron and continuing through the full sequence of adventures. This prolific collection represents Creasey's exploration of crime and suspense across four decades, following the titular character through numerous cases and escapades.
Start with Meet the Baron / The Man in the Blue Mask, the first of 47 books in the Baron series.
Start this series with Meet the Baron / The Man in the Blue Mask
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Bruce Murdoch Series
Complete6 books (1939–1942)
The Bruce Murdoch series comprises six mystery and science fiction novels published between 1939 and 1942. Written by prolific author John Creasey, this complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dangerous Journey. The books follow Bruce Murdoch through a sequence of interconnected adventures involving espionage and mystery elements across the entire sequence.
Start with Dangerous Journey, the first of 6 books in the Bruce Murdoch series.
Start this series with Dangerous Journey
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleDepartment Z Series
Complete28 books (1933–1957)
John Creasey's Department Z series spans 28 complete novels published between 1933 and 1957, blending science fiction, mystery, and thriller elements throughout. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Redhead and continuing through entries like The Death Miser, First Came a Murder, and Death 'Round the Corner. This comprehensive collection charts the evolution of the author's storytelling across more than two decades of spy and adventure narratives. Readers seeking pulp-era espionage and danger will find the full progression rewarding when experienced from start to finish.
Start with Redhead, the first of 28 books in the Department Z series.
Start this series with Redhead
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Dr. Emmanuel Cellini Series
Complete11 books (1965–1976)
The Dr. Emmanuel Cellini series comprises eleven science fiction and mystery novels by John Creasey, published between 1965 and 1976. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Cunning as a Fox and concluding with The Man Who Was Not Himself. This finished series blends elements of thriller and speculative fiction across its full span.
Start with Cunning as a Fox, the first of 11 books in the Dr. Emmanuel Cellini series.
Start this series with Cunning as a Fox
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Dr. Palfrey Series
Complete35 books (1942–1979)
John Creasey's Dr. Palfrey series comprises 35 science fiction and thriller novels published between 1942 and 1979, following the character through a complete story arc. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Traitor's Doom and concluding with the final entry in the sequence. The series blends mystery, espionage, and speculative elements across its full span, offering readers a lengthy exploration of the titular character's adventures across multiple decades.
Start with Traitor's Doom, the first of 35 books in the Dr. Palfrey series.
Start this series with Traitor's Doom
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Fane Brothers Series
Complete4 books (1951–1953)
The Fane Brothers series consists of four complete mystery thrillers by John Creasey published between 1951 and 1953. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Take a Body, followed by Lame Dog Murder, Man on the Run, and Murder in the Stars. The series spans crime and mystery narratives featuring the Fane Brothers across their individual investigations.
Start with Take a Body, the first of 4 books in the Fane Brothers series.
Start this series with Take a Body
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleGideon Series
Complete27 books (1955–2022)
John Creasey's Gideon series comprises 26 mystery and thriller novels published between 1955 and 1990, following cases handled by Scotland Yard's finest detective. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Gideon's Day and concluding with the final installment decades later. Each book can function as a standalone mystery while contributing to the larger arc of the protagonist's career at Scotland Yard. This prolific series showcases Creasey's expertise in crafting procedural crime narratives across multiple decades of publishing.
Start with Gideon's Day / Gideon of Scotland Yard, the first of 26 books in the Gideon series.
Start this series with Gideon's Day / Gideon of Scotland Yard
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Inspector West Series
Complete44 books (1942–1978)
The Inspector West series consists of 43 mystery novels by John Creasey, following the cases of Scotland Yard's Inspector West from 1942 to 1978. Published in strict chronological order of release, the series is now complete and should be read starting with Inspector West Takes Charge and continuing through publication order. Each book in this prolific detective series stands as a complete case while contributing to the broader arc of the protagonist's career at Scotland Yard.
Start with Inspector West Takes Charge, the first of 43 books in the Inspector West series.
Start this series with Inspector West Takes Charge
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Liberator Series
Complete3 books (1943–1973)
John Creasey's Liberator series consists of three complete novels published between 1943 and 1973. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Return to Adventure, followed by Gateway to Escape, and concluding with Come Home to Crime. This science fiction and mystery series blends elements of thriller storytelling across its span of three decades.
Start with Return to Adventure and read in order.
Start this series with Return to Adventure
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleMark Kilby Series
Complete7 books (1959–1962)
John Creasey's Mark Kilby series comprises seven complete novels published between 1959 and 1962, blending mystery and thriller elements across its run. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with R.I.S.C. / Mark Kilby Solves a Murder and concluding with Mark Kilby Stands Alone / Mark Kilby and the Manhattan Murders. This closed series follows the adventures of its titular protagonist through various criminal investigations and dangerous situations across multiple settings.
Start with R.I.S.C. / Mark Kilby Solves a Murder, the first of 7 books in the Mark Kilby series.
Start this series with R.I.S.C. / Mark Kilby Solves a Murder
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Patrick Dawlish Series
Complete52 books (1939–1976)
The Patrick Dawlish series spans 52 complete novels written by John Creasey between 1939 and 1976, following the adventures of secret agent Patrick Dawlish across decades of espionage and crime-fighting. These mystery and thriller novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Death on Demand and continuing through the full chronological sequence to experience Dawlish's character development and the evolving nature of threats he faces. The series combines elements of spy fiction and detective mystery, with Dawlish navigating dangerous assignments and criminal conspiracies throughout his career.
Start with Death on Demand, the first of 52 books in the Patrick Dawlish series.
Start this series with Death on Demand
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Sexton Blake Series
Complete5 books (1937–1943)
John Creasey's Sexton Blake series consists of five complete mystery and thriller novels published between 1937 and 1943. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Case of the Murdered Financier and continuing through The Great Air Swindle, The Man from Fleet Street, The Case of the Mad Inventor, and concluding with Private Carter's Crime. The series is now complete and offers a self-contained collection of classic detective fiction from the pre-war and wartime era.
Start with The Case of the Murdered Financier, the first of 5 books in the Sexton Blake series.
Start this series with The Case of the Murdered Financier
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleStandalone Novels Series
Complete167 books (1932–1975)
John Creasey's prolific output spans 167 standalone novels published between 1932 and 1975, blending science fiction, mystery, thriller, and nonfiction elements across a complete series. These independent books should be read in publication order, beginning with Seven Times Seven, though each title stands alone and can be enjoyed separately. Many titles were published under various pseudonyms including M.E. Cooke, Margaret Cooke, Rodney Mattheson, and Elise Fecamps, reflecting the author's remarkably diverse writing career across multiple genres and styles.
Start with Seven Times Seven, the first of 167 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Seven Times Seven
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Superintendent Folly Series
Complete7 books (1944–1948)
The Superintendent Folly series consists of seven mystery novels written by John Creasey between 1944 and 1948. This complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Murder in the Family and concluding with Close the Door on Murder. Each entry follows the investigations of Superintendent Folly as he works to solve various criminal cases. The books are best enjoyed sequentially to appreciate the character's development across the full arc of the series.
Start with Murder in the Family, the first of 7 books in the Superintendent Folly series.
Start this series with Murder in the Family
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleToff Series
Complete59 books (1938–1978)
John Creasey's Toff series spans 59 complete novels published between 1938 and 1978, following a gentleman detective through various mysteries and adventures. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Introducing the Toff and continuing through the chronological release of each installment. This long-running mystery series offers readers dozens of cases to explore, from The Toff Goes On through The Toff and the Lady and beyond, providing an extensive catalog for fans of classic detective fiction.
Start with Introducing the Toff, the first of 59 books in the Toff series.
Start this series with Introducing the Toff
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has John Creasey written?
- John Creasey has written 504 books across 16 series. Their published works span from 1932 to 2022.
- What is the first book in each John Creasey series?
- Here are the first books in John Creasey's series: Anthologies: Best Underworld Stories; Baron: Meet the Baron / The Man in the Blue Mask; Bruce Murdoch: Dangerous Journey; Department Z: Redhead; Dr. Emmanuel Cellini: Cunning as a Fox.
- What order should I read John Creasey's books?
- We recommend reading John Creasey's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are John Creasey's series complete?
- John Creasey has 16 completed series.

