Simon Brett Reading Order

22 books (1991–2025)

This ongoing anthology series edited by Simon Brett comprises 22 books published between 1991 and 2025, spanning mystery, thriller, and crime fiction selections. The collection includes reference works on detectives and mystery writing alongside curated story anthologies such as Malice Domestic entries, Once Upon a Crime, and The Detection Collection. Readers should follow the books in publication order to experience Brett's evolving curation of detective fiction and crime narratives across more than three decades. The series blends instructional guides on mystery literature with original and reprinted short fiction from various authors.

Start with 100 Great Detectives, Or, the Detective Directory, the first of 22 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	100 Great Detectives, Or, the Detective Directory 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	1st Culprit 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Man Who... 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Fifty Best Mysteries 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Fine Art of Murder: The Mystery Reader's Indispensable Companion 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Malice Domestic 6 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Once Upon a Crime 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Crime Story Collection 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Malice Domestic 10 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Sunken Sailor 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Detection Collection 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Thou Shalt Not Kill 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Deadly Pleasures 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Bodies in the Bookshop 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	The Sinking Admiral 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Ten Year Stretch 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Murder Takes a Holiday 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Ink and Daggers 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Murder Under the Sun 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

13 books (2009–2024)

Simon Brett's Blotto and Twinks mystery series comprises thirteen books published between 2009 and 2024, with new installments still being released. The novels follow a pair of protagonists through various detective adventures set in different exotic locales and scenarios. Reading the books in publication order, beginning with Blotto, Twinks, and the Ex-King's Daughter, provides the intended narrative experience for this ongoing series.

Start with Blotto, Twinks, and the Ex-King's Daughter, the first of 13 books in the Blotto and Twinks series.

#	Title
1	Blotto, Twinks, and the Ex-King's Daughter 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Blotto, Twinks and the Dead Dowager Duchess 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Blotto, Twinks and the Rodents of the Riviera 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Blotto, Twinks and the Bootlegger's Moll 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Blotto, Twinks and Riddle of the Sphinx 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Blotto, Twinks and the Heir to the Tsar 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Blotto, Twinks and the Stars of the Silver Screen 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Blotto, Twinks and the Great Road Race 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Blotto, Twinks and the Intimate Revue 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Blotto, Twinks and the Maharajah's Jewel 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Blotto, Twinks and the Conquistadors' Gold 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Blotto, Twinks and the Suspicious Guests 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Blotto, Twinks and the Phantom Skiers 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

20 books (1975–2018)

The Charles Paris series spans twenty mystery novels published between 1975 and 2018, following the investigations of its titular protagonist across decades of crime-solving cases. This complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Cast in Order of Disappearance and continuing through the final installment. Simon Brett crafted these mysteries across four decades, establishing a rich tradition of detective fiction that concluded in 2018. Readers should start with the first book to fully appreciate the character's development throughout the entire series arc.

Start with Cast in Order of Disappearance, the first of 20 books in the Charles Paris series.

#	Title
1	Cast in Order of Disappearance 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	So Much Blood 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Star Trap 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	An Amateur Corpse 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	A Comedian Dies 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Dead Side Of The Mike / Mic 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Situation Tragedy 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Murder Unprompted 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Murder in the Title 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Not Dead, Only Resting 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	DeadGiveaway 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	What Bloody Man is That? 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	A Series of Murders 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Corporate Bodies 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	A Reconstructed Corpse 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Sicken and So Die 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Dead Room Farce 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	A Decent Interval 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	The Cinderella Killer 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	A Deadly Habit 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2020–2026)

The Decluttering Mysteries series by Simon Brett is an ongoing mystery series comprising five books published between 2020 and 2026. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Clutter Corpse and continuing through An Untidy Death, Waste of a Life, A Messy Murder, and A Disorganised Death. This series blends mystery and thriller elements with the author's characteristic style.

Start with The Clutter Corpse, the first of 5 books in the Decluttering Mysteries series.

#	Title
1	The Clutter Corpse 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	An Untidy Death 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Waste of a Life 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	A Messy Murder 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	A Disorganised Death 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

23 books (2000–2026)

The Fethering Mystery series comprises 22 books of detective fiction by Simon Brett, with the first installment published in 2000 and the most recent in 2025. This ongoing series follows cases set in the fictional seaside village of Fethering and should be read in publication order, beginning with The Body on the Beach. The mysteries build on established relationships and character development, making sequential reading essential for full enjoyment of the narrative arc.

Start with The Body on the Beach, the first of 22 books in the Fethering Mystery series.

#	Title
1	The Body on the Beach 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Death on the Downs 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Torso in the Town 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Murder in the Museum 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Hanging in the Hotel 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Witness at the Wedding 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Stabbing in the Stables 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Death Under the Dryer 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Blood at the Bookies 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Poisoning in the Pub 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Shooting in the Shop 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Bones Under the Beach Hut 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Guns in the Gallery 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Corpse on the Court 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	The Strangling on the Stage 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Killing in the Cafe 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	The Tomb in Turkey 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	The Liar in the Library 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	The Killer in the Choir 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Guilt at the Garage 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Death and the Decorator 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Death in the Dressing Room 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Bloodshed in the Bookshop 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2025–2026)

The Major Bricket Mysteries is an ongoing series by Simon Brett consisting of two books published between 2025 and 2026. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse, followed by Major Bricket and the Body in the Bell Tower. New installments are forthcoming as the series continues to develop.

Start with Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse and read in order.

10 books (1986–2025)

Simon Brett's Mrs Pargeter series spans ten books published from 1986 to 2025, with the first installment, A Nice Class of Corpse, introducing readers to the titular character. The series remains ongoing and should be read in publication order to follow the narrative arc across all entries. Subsequent titles include Mrs. Pargeter Presumed Dead, Mrs. Pargeter's Package, Mrs. Pargeter's Pound of Flesh, Mrs. Pargeter's Plot, Mrs. Pargeter's Point of Honour, Mrs Pargeter's Principle, Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations, Mrs Pargeter's Patio, and Mrs Pargeter's Past. This mystery and thriller series offers readers a complete publishing history while new installments continue to emerge.

Start with A Nice Class of Corpse, the first of 10 books in the Mrs Pargeter series.

#	Title
1	A Nice Class of Corpse 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Mrs. Pargeter Presumed Dead 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Mrs. Pargeter's Package 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Mrs. Pargeter's Pound of Flesh 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Mrs. Pargeter's Plot 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Mrs. Pargeter's Point of Honour 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Mrs Pargeter's Principle 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Mrs Pargeter's Patio 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Mrs Pargeter's Past 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2003–2006)

Simon Brett's non-fiction series spans five books published between 2003 and 2006, offering a diverse collection that includes humor writing and parenting advice. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Seriously Funny, and Other Oxymorons and continuing through the Baby Tips volumes for different caregivers before concluding with On Second Thoughts. This finished collection blends Brett's mystery and thriller writing background with practical and comedic non-fiction perspectives.

Start with Seriously Funny, and Other Oxymorons, the first of 5 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Seriously Funny, and Other Oxymorons 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Baby Tips For Dads 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Baby Tips For Mums 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Baby Tips for Grandparents 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	On Second Thoughts 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1994–2010)

Simon Brett's Plays series comprises eight complete mystery novels published between 1994 and 2010, featuring theatrical settings and plots. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Murder In Play. The series follows a consistent cast of characters across interconnected cases within the world of stage drama and performance. This collection spans from the initial 1994 entry through its conclusion in 2010.

Start with Murder In Play, the first of 8 books in the Plays series.

#	Title
1	Murder In Play 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Mr. Quigley's Revenge 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Silhouette 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Sleeping Beauty(With: Unknown) 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Putting the Kettle on 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	A Small Family Murder 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	A Healthy Grave 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1997–2020)

Simon Brett's Short Stories/Novellas series comprises four collections published between 1997 and 2020, beginning with Heavenly Bodies and concluding with Bibliotheca Classica. The series is complete and should be read in publication order. These mystery and thriller short story collections showcase Brett's skill at crafting compact narratives across the span of more than two decades.

Start with Heavenly Bodies, the first of 4 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

#	Title
1	Heavenly Bodies 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Ways to Kill a Cat 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Method Murder 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Bibliotheca Classica 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1985–2012)

Simon Brett's Short Story Collections series comprises five books of mystery and thriller stories published between 1985 and 2012. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with A Box of Tricks. The collection includes titles such as Tickled to Death, Crime Writers and Other Animals, A Crime in Rhyme and Other Mysterious Fragments, and Tickled to Death and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense, offering readers a selection of standalone tales across the author's career.

Start with A Box of Tricks, the first of 5 books in the Short Story Collections series.

#	Title
1	A Box of Tricks 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Tickled to Death 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Crime Writers and Other Animals 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	A Crime in Rhyme and Other Mysterious Fragments 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Tickled to Death and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1992–1997)

The Sod series is a complete three-book collection by Simon Brett published between 1992 and 1997. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with How to Be a Little Sod, followed by Little Sod's Next Step, and concluding with Not Another Little Sod. The series blends mystery and thriller elements with the author's characteristic style.

Start with How to Be a Little Sod and read in order.

#	Title
1	How to Be a Little Sod 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Little Sod's Next Step 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Not Another Little Sod 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1984–2006)

Simon Brett's Standalone Novels collection comprises seven mystery and thriller books released between 1984 and 2006, now complete. Though each book stands alone narratively, readers interested in experiencing the full scope of Brett's work in this period should begin with A Shock to the System and proceed through publication order. The series includes A Shock to the System, Dead Romantic, After Henry, The Booker Book, The Christmas Crimes at Puzzel Manor, Singled Out, and The Penultimate Chance Saloon.

Start with A Shock to the System, the first of 7 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	A Shock to the System 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Dead Romantic 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	After Henry 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Booker Book 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Christmas Crimes at Puzzel Manor 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Singled Out 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Penultimate Chance Saloon 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1986–1987)

Simon Brett's Two-book Three Detectives mystery series, published between 1986 and 1987, follows a complete story arc best read in publication order. Begin with The Three Detectives and the Missing Superstar, followed by The Three Detectives and the Knight in Armor. This finished series combines elements of mystery and thriller fiction within Brett's distinctive style.

Start with The Three Detectives and the Missing Superstar and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Three Detectives and the Missing Superstar 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Three Detectives and the Knight in Armor 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible