Below is the complete list of Colin Dexter books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Inspector Morse Books
- Last Bus to Woodstock (1975)
Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and is listed as book #1 in the Inspector Morse series. - Last Seen Wearing (1976)
Published in 1976, Last Seen Wearing is listed as book #2 in the Inspector Morse series. - The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (1977)
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is a 1977 release and appears as book #3 in the Inspector Morse series. - Service of All the Dead (1979)
In the Inspector Morse series, Service of All the Dead is book #4 and was published in 1979. - The Dead of Jericho (1981)
The Dead of Jericho was first published in 1981; within the Inspector Morse series, it is listed as book #5. - The Riddle of the Third Mile (1983)
The Riddle of the Third Mile was published in 1983 and is listed as book #6 in the Inspector Morse series. - The Secret of Annexe 3 (1986)
Published in 1986, The Secret of Annexe 3 is listed as book #7 in the Inspector Morse series. - The Wench Is Dead (1989)
The Wench Is Dead is a 1989 release and appears as book #8 in the Inspector Morse series. - The Jewel That Was Ours (1989)
In the Inspector Morse series, The Jewel That Was Ours is book #9 and was published in 1989. - The Way Through The Woods (1992)
The Way Through The Woods was first published in 1992; within the Inspector Morse series, it is listed as book #10. - The Daughters of Cain (1994)
The Daughters of Cain was published in 1994 and is listed as book #11 in the Inspector Morse series. - Death Is Now My Neighbor (1996)
Published in 1996, Death Is Now My Neighbor is listed as book #12 in the Inspector Morse series. - The Remorseful Day (1999)
The Remorseful Day is a 1999 release and appears as book #13 in the Inspector Morse series.
Publication Order of Inspector Morse Collections Books
- Morse’s Greatest Mystery and Other Stories (1993)
Morse's Greatest Mystery and Other Stories was published in 1993 and is listed as book #1 in the Inspector Morse Collections series.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
- Evans Tries an O-Level (1993)
Evans Tries an O-Level was published in 1993 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series. - The Other Half (2015)
Published in 2015, The Other Half is listed as book #2 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
- Chambers Morse Crosswords (2006)
Chambers Morse Crosswords was published in 2006 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series. - Cracking Cryptic Crosswords (2009)
Published in 2009, Cracking Cryptic Crosswords is listed as book #2 in the Non-Fiction series.
Publication Order of Mysterious Profiles Books
- Rambo (2022)
(By David Morrell)
Rambo was published in 2022 and is listed as book #1 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (2022)
(By Robert Crais)
Published in 2022, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike is listed as book #2 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Jack Taylor (2022)
(By Ken Bruen)
Jack Taylor is a 2022 release and appears as book #3 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Jack Reacher (2022)
(By Lee Child)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, Jack Reacher is book #4 and was published in 2022. - Charlie Parker (2022)
(By John Connolly)
Charlie Parker was first published in 2022; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #5. - Hieronymus Bosch (2022)
(By Michael Connelly)
Hieronymus Bosch was published in 2022 and is listed as book #6 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Lincoln Rhyme (2022)
(By Jeffery Deaver)
Published in 2022, Lincoln Rhyme is listed as book #7 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Alex Delaware (2022)
(By Jonathan Kellerman)
Alex Delaware is a 2022 release and appears as book #8 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Tess Monaghan (2022)
(By Laura Lippman)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, Tess Monaghan is book #9 and was published in 2022. - Charlie Resnick (2022)
(By John Harvey)
Charlie Resnick was first published in 2022; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #10. - Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus (2022)
(By Faye Kellerman)
Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus was published in 2022 and is listed as book #11 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Inspector Morse (2022)
Published in 2022, Inspector Morse is listed as book #12 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Dismas Hardy (2022)
(By John Lescroart)
Dismas Hardy is a 2022 release and appears as book #13 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Bob Lee Swagger (2022)
(By Stephen Hunter)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, Bob Lee Swagger is book #14 and was published in 2022. - Aloysius X. L. Pendergast (2022)
(By Douglas Preston)
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast was first published in 2022; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #15. - Lou Boldt (2022)
(By Ridley Pearson)
Lou Boldt was published in 2022 and is listed as book #16 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Spenser (2022)
(By Robert B. Parker)
Published in 2022, Spenser is listed as book #17 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (2022)
(By Anne Perry)
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt is a 2022 release and appears as book #18 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - John Rebus (2022)
(By Ian Rankin)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, John Rebus is book #19 and was published in 2022. - Mallory (2022)
(By Carol O’Connell)
Mallory was first published in 2022; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #20. - Jane Whitefield (2022)
(By Thomas Perry)
Jane Whitefield was published in 2022 and is listed as book #21 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Ian Rutledge (2022)
(By Charles Todd)
Published in 2022, Ian Rutledge is listed as book #22 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Amos Walker (2022)
(By Loren D. Estleman)
Amos Walker is a 2022 release and appears as book #23 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Precious Ramotswe (2022)
(By Alexander McCall Smith)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, Precious Ramotswe is book #24 and was published in 2022. - Maisie Dobbs (2022)
(By Jacqueline Winspear)
Maisie Dobbs was first published in 2022; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #25. - The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
(By Michael Connelly)
The Lincoln Lawyer was published in 2022 and is listed as book #26 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Condor (2023)
(By James Grady)
Published in 2023, Condor is listed as book #27 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Ben Kincaid (2023)
(By William Bernhardt)
Ben Kincaid is a 2023 release and appears as book #28 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Repairman Jack (2023)
(By F. Paul Wilson)
In the Mysterious Profiles series, Repairman Jack is book #29 and was published in 2023. - Joe Pickett (2024)
(By C.J. Box)
Joe Pickett was first published in 2024; within the Mysterious Profiles series, it is listed as book #30. - Peter Diamond (2024)
(By Peter Lovesey)
Peter Diamond was published in 2024 and is listed as book #31 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Nathan Heller (2024)
(By Max Allan Collins)
Published in 2024, Nathan Heller is listed as book #32 in the Mysterious Profiles series. - Orphan X (2025)
(By Gregg Hurwitz)
Orphan X is a 2025 release and appears as book #33 in the Mysterious Profiles series.
About Colin Dexter
Colin Dexter was a British crime novelist best known for creating one of the most iconic detectives in modern mystery fiction: Inspector Morse. Through his novels, Dexter combined traditional detective storytelling with intellectual puzzles, literary references, and richly drawn settings. His books not only became bestselling mysteries but also inspired one of the most successful British crime television franchises.
Colin Dexter was born Norman Colin Dexter on September 29, 1930, in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. He grew up in the English countryside and later attended the University of Cambridge, where he studied classics. His academic background in classical literature and language would later influence his writing style, as many of his mysteries incorporate literary quotations, historical references, and complex wordplay.
Before becoming a novelist, Dexter worked as a teacher. He spent many years teaching classical languages at schools in England, including positions in the Midlands and later in Oxford. Teaching gave him both a strong command of language and a deep appreciation for intellectual problem-solving—qualities that later shaped the structure of his detective stories.
Dexter’s transition into fiction happened somewhat unexpectedly. While on holiday in Wales during the early 1970s, he began writing what would become his first mystery novel, Last Bus to Woodstock (1975). The book introduced readers to Detective Chief Inspector Morse of the Thames Valley Police, a brilliant but unconventional investigator stationed in the city of Oxford.
Inspector Morse quickly became one of the most distinctive detectives in crime fiction. Unlike many fictional investigators, Morse is known not only for his sharp analytical mind but also for his appreciation of classical music, literature, and crossword puzzles. At the same time, he is a flawed and complex character—sometimes impatient, occasionally stubborn, and often deeply introspective.
Reading Colin Dexter’s books in publication order allows readers to follow the development of Morse as both a detective and a person. The series gradually explores his relationships, his personal struggles, and his partnership with Sergeant Lewis, whose practical approach often balances Morse’s intellectual methods.
Oxford plays a crucial role in the atmosphere of the novels. Dexter uses the city’s historic colleges, narrow streets, and academic traditions as the backdrop for many of the investigations. The setting gives the series a distinctive identity, blending the scholarly environment of the university with the darker realities of crime and human conflict.
The popularity of the novels eventually led to the television adaptation Inspector Morse, which first aired in 1987. The show introduced Morse to a global audience and helped establish the character as one of the most recognizable figures in British crime drama. The success of the adaptation later led to spin-off series including Lewis and Endeavour, which explore different stages of the Morse universe.
Dexter’s writing style is often praised for its intellectual depth and intricate plotting. His mysteries frequently involve complex clues, misdirection, and subtle character motivations. Rather than relying solely on action, the novels challenge readers to think carefully about the evidence and follow Morse’s reasoning as the investigation unfolds.
Over the course of his career, Colin Dexter wrote thirteen Inspector Morse novels along with several short stories. His work received numerous literary honors, including the prestigious Gold Dagger Award from the Crime Writers’ Association.
Following Colin Dexter’s books in publication order reveals how the Inspector Morse series evolved into one of the defining works of British detective fiction. Through intricate mysteries, intellectual challenges, and a memorable central character, Dexter created stories that continue to influence crime writing and television drama decades after their original publication.