Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Martha Grimes

Martha Grimes Reading Order

7 series · 38 books · Born 1931-05-02

Mystery & ThrillerNon-Fiction

Martha Grimes is an American mystery writer renowned for her Richard Jury series, which features a Scotland Yard inspector and his aristocratic friend Melrose Plant investigating crimes in settings named after British pubs. Her character-driven detective novels blend the cozy mystery tradition with engaging plotting and have earned critical recognition, including the Nero Wolfe Award. Across four decades and multiple series, Grimes has established herself as a master of the whodunit format with a focus on memorable protagonists and intricate storytelling.

Andi Oliver Series

Complete

2 books (1999–2008)

Start with Biting the Moon and read in order.

Start this series with Biting the Moon

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Biting the Moon
Biting the Moon
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Dakota

Emma Graham Series

Complete

4 books (1995–2011)

Start with Hotel Paradise, the first of 4 books in the Emma Graham series.

Start this series with Hotel Paradise

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Hotel Paradise
Hotel Paradise
1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Cold Flat Junction
Cold Flat Junction
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Belle Ruin
4
Cover of Fadeaway Girl
Fadeaway Girl
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Foul Matter Series

Complete

2 books (2003–2014)

Start with Foul Matter and read in order.

Start this series with Foul Matter

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Foul Matter
2
Cover of The Way of All Fish
The Way of All Fish
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

1 book (2013–2013)

#Title
1
Cover of Double Double: A Dual Memoir of Alcoholism
Double Double: A Dual Memoir of Alcoholism
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Richard Jury Series

Ongoing

26 books (1981–2025)

Start with The Man With a Load of Mischief, the first of 26 books in the Richard Jury series.

Start this series with The Man With a Load of Mischief

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
The Man With a Load of Mischief
1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Old Fox Deceiv'd
The Old Fox Deceiv'd
1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Anodyne Necklace
The Anodyne Necklace
1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Jerusalem Inn
Jerusalem Inn
1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Dirty Duck
The Dirty Duck
1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Help the Poor Struggler
Help the Poor Struggler
1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of The Deer Leap
The Deer Leap
1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of I Am the Only Running Footman
I Am the Only Running Footman
1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Five Bells and Bladebone
The Five Bells and Bladebone
1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of The Old Silent
The Old Silent
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of The Old Contemptibles
The Old Contemptibles
1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of The Horse You Came In On
The Horse You Came In On
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of Rainbow's End
Rainbow's End
1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of The Case Has Altered
The Case Has Altered
1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of The Stargazey
The Stargazey
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of The Lamorna Wink
The Lamorna Wink
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
Cover of The Blue Last
The Blue Last
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18
Cover of The Grave Maurice
The Grave Maurice
2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19
Cover of The Winds of Change
The Winds of Change
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20
Cover of The Old Wine Shades
The Old Wine Shades
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21
Cover of Dust
22
Cover of The Black Cat
The Black Cat
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23
Cover of Vertigo 42
24
Cover of The Knowledge
The Knowledge
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25
Cover of The Old Success
The Old Success
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26
The Red Queen
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2000–2000)

#Title
1
Cover of The Train Now Departing
The Train Now Departing
2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

2 books (1989–1992)

Start with Send Bygraves and read in order.

Start this series with Send Bygraves

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Send Bygraves
Send Bygraves
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The End of the Pier
The End of the Pier
1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Martha Grimes written?
Martha Grimes has written 38 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1981 to 2025.
What is the first book in each Martha Grimes series?
Here are the first books in Martha Grimes's series: Andi Oliver: Biting the Moon; Emma Graham: Hotel Paradise; Foul Matter: Foul Matter; Richard Jury: The Man With a Load of Mischief.
What order should I read Martha Grimes's books?
We recommend reading Martha Grimes's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Martha Grimes still writing new books?
Yes, Martha Grimes has 1 ongoing series: Richard Jury.

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