Below is the complete list of Ann Cleeves books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of George & Molly Palmer-Jones Books
- A Bird in the Hand (1986)
A Bird in the Hand was published in 1986 and is listed as book #1 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series. - Come Death And High Water (1988)
Published in 1988, Come Death And High Water is listed as book #2 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series. - Murder In Paradise (1988)
Murder In Paradise is a 1988 release and appears as book #3 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series. - A Prey To Murder (1989)
In the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series, A Prey To Murder is book #4 and was published in 1989. - Another Man’s Poison (1992)
Another Man's Poison was first published in 1992; within the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series, it is listed as book #5. - Sea Fever (1993)
Sea Fever was published in 1993 and is listed as book #6 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series. - The Mill On The Shore (1994)
Published in 1994, The Mill On The Shore is listed as book #7 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series. - High Island Blues (1996)
High Island Blues is a 1996 release and appears as book #8 in the George & Molly Palmer-Jones series.
Publication Order of Inspector Ramsay Books
- A Lesson In Dying (1990)
A Lesson In Dying was published in 1990 and is listed as book #1 in the Inspector Ramsay series. - Murder In My Backyard (1991)
Published in 1991, Murder In My Backyard is listed as book #2 in the Inspector Ramsay series. - A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy (1992)
A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy is a 1992 release and appears as book #3 in the Inspector Ramsay series. - Killjoy (1993)
In the Inspector Ramsay series, Killjoy is book #4 and was published in 1993. - The Healers (1995)
The Healers was first published in 1995; within the Inspector Ramsay series, it is listed as book #5. - The Baby Snatcher (1997)
The Baby Snatcher was published in 1997 and is listed as book #6 in the Inspector Ramsay series.
Publication Order of Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books
- The Long Call (2019)
The Long Call was published in 2019 and is listed as book #1 in the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers series. - The Heron’s Cry (2021)
Published in 2021, The Heron's Cry is listed as book #2 in the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers series. - The Girls on the Shore (2022)
The Girls on the Shore is a 2022 release and appears as book #3 in the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers series. - The Raging Storm (2023)
In the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers series, The Raging Storm is book #4 and was published in 2023. - The Dying Light (2026)
The Dying Light was first published in 2026; within the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers series, it is listed as book #5.
Publication Order of Vera Stanhope Books
- The Crow Trap (1999)
The Crow Trap was published in 1999 and is listed as book #1 in the Vera Stanhope series. - Telling Tales (2005)
Published in 2005, Telling Tales is listed as book #2 in the Vera Stanhope series. - Hidden Depths (2007)
Hidden Depths is a 2007 release and appears as book #3 in the Vera Stanhope series. - Silent Voices (2010)
In the Vera Stanhope series, Silent Voices is book #4 and was published in 2010. - The Glass Room (2012)
The Glass Room was first published in 2012; within the Vera Stanhope series, it is listed as book #5. - Harbour Street (2014)
Harbour Street was published in 2014 and is listed as book #6 in the Vera Stanhope series. - The Moth Catcher (2015)
Published in 2015, The Moth Catcher is listed as book #7 in the Vera Stanhope series. - The Seagull (2017)
The Seagull is a 2017 release and appears as book #8 in the Vera Stanhope series. - Frozen (2020)
In the Vera Stanhope series, Frozen is book #9 and was published in 2020. - The Darkest Evening (2020)
The Darkest Evening was first published in 2020; within the Vera Stanhope series, it is listed as book #10. - The Woman on the Island (2022)
The Woman on the Island was published in 2022 and is listed as book #11 in the Vera Stanhope series. - The Rising Tide (2022)
Published in 2022, The Rising Tide is listed as book #12 in the Vera Stanhope series. - The Dark Wives (2024)
The Dark Wives is a 2024 release and appears as book #13 in the Vera Stanhope series.
Publication Order of Shetland Books
- Raven Black (2006)
Raven Black was published in 2006 and is listed as book #1 in the Shetland series. - White Nights (2008)
Published in 2008, White Nights is listed as book #2 in the Shetland series. - Red Bones (2009)
Red Bones is a 2009 release and appears as book #3 in the Shetland series. - Blue Lightning (2010)
In the Shetland series, Blue Lightning is book #4 and was published in 2010. - Dead Water (2013)
Dead Water was first published in 2013; within the Shetland series, it is listed as book #5. - Thin Air (2014)
Thin Air was published in 2014 and is listed as book #6 in the Shetland series. - Too Good To Be True (2016)
Published in 2016, Too Good To Be True is listed as book #7 in the Shetland series. - Cold Earth (2016)
Cold Earth is a 2016 release and appears as book #8 in the Shetland series. - Wild Fire (2018)
In the Shetland series, Wild Fire is book #9 and was published in 2018.
Publication Order of Shetland Non-Fiction Books
- Shetland (2015)
Shetland was published in 2015 and is listed as book #1 in the Shetland Non-Fiction series.
Publication Order of Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez Books
- The Lonely Man (2025)
The Lonely Man was published in 2025 and is listed as book #1 in the Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez series. - The Killing Stones (2025)
Published in 2025, The Killing Stones is listed as book #2 in the Willow Reeves & Jimmy Perez series.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
- The Sleeping and the Dead (2001)
The Sleeping and the Dead was published in 2001 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series. - Burial of Ghosts (2003)
Published in 2003, Burial of Ghosts is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
- Dreaming of Rain and Peter Lovesey (2016)
Dreaming of Rain and Peter Lovesey was published in 2016 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
About Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is a British crime novelist widely respected for creating atmospheric detective stories rooted in distinctive landscapes and deeply drawn characters. Her novels are best known for the popular detective series featuring Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez, both of which were adapted into successful television dramas. Over several decades, Cleeves has built a reputation for thoughtful crime fiction that balances intricate mysteries with a strong sense of place.
Ann Cleeves was born on October 24, 1954, in Hereford, England, but she spent much of her childhood in North Devon. Growing up in a rural environment had a lasting influence on her storytelling. Many of her novels explore small communities where secrets run deep and personal relationships shape the investigation as much as physical evidence.
Her path to becoming a writer was not immediate. After leaving school, Cleeves held a wide variety of jobs. She worked as a probation officer, a bird observatory cook, and even as a member of the coastguard service. These experiences exposed her to diverse people and remote locations, both of which later appeared in her fiction.
While working at a bird observatory on Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands, Cleeves met her future husband, a seabird warden. Living on the island provided her with firsthand knowledge of the rugged landscape and isolated communities that would later form the backdrop for one of her most famous series.
Cleeves published her first novel, A Bird in the Hand, in 1986. The book introduced detective George Palmer-Jones, an amateur sleuth who investigates crimes within the birdwatching community. Although the series gained a loyal following, it was her later work that brought international recognition.
One of her most celebrated creations is the Vera Stanhope series, which began with The Crow Trap (1999). Vera Stanhope is a sharp-minded and unconventional detective working for the Northumberland and City Police. Known for her rumpled appearance, keen intuition, and relentless determination, Vera became one of the most memorable characters in modern British crime fiction.
Reading Ann Cleeves’ books in publication order reveals how her storytelling gradually evolved as she expanded her detective worlds. The Vera novels focus on rural England, where quiet villages often conceal long-standing tensions and secrets.
Another major series is the Shetland books, which begin with Raven Black (2006). These novels follow detective Jimmy Perez as he investigates crimes in the remote Shetland Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The series emphasizes the unique culture and geography of the islands, where harsh weather, isolation, and close-knit communities shape the lives of the people who live there.
The Shetland series earned Cleeves one of the most prestigious honors in crime writing when Raven Black won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel in 2006. The recognition helped bring wider attention to her work and introduced many readers to the atmospheric settings that define her stories.
Cleeves later expanded her detective fiction further with the Two Rivers series featuring Detective Matthew Venn. These novels explore crime within coastal communities in Devon and reflect the author’s familiarity with that region.
A defining characteristic of Ann Cleeves’ writing is her emphasis on character and environment rather than pure action. Her mysteries often unfold gradually, revealing the motivations and relationships that lead to a crime. This approach gives her stories a thoughtful and emotionally layered tone.
Today, Ann Cleeves is considered one of the leading figures in contemporary British crime fiction. Her novels continue to attract readers who appreciate carefully constructed mysteries, strong detectives, and vivid landscapes that feel as alive as the characters themselves.