Below is the complete list of Joy Ellis’ DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans Books
About DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans
The DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans series is a British police procedural mystery series by Joy Ellis, set in the Lincolnshire Fens. Beginning with The Murderer’s Son (2015), the books follow Detective Inspector Rowan Jackman and Detective Sergeant Marie Evans as they investigate complex murders, disappearances, and other serious crimes. Combining atmospheric settings with carefully constructed mysteries, the series emphasizes teamwork, psychological tension, and the personal challenges faced by detectives.
Rowan Jackman is an experienced detective inspector whose thoughtful and methodical approach helps him navigate difficult investigations. He values evidence, careful reasoning, and the contributions of his colleagues, recognizing that successful police work depends upon cooperation rather than individual brilliance.
His investigative partner, Marie Evans, brings determination, perceptiveness, and a direct manner to their cases. Her instincts often complement Jackman’s analytical style, creating a partnership built upon mutual respect and professional trust.
Although their personalities differ, Jackman and Evans share a commitment to justice and an understanding of the emotional demands of investigating serious crime. Their relationship forms the foundation of the series, providing continuity as each novel introduces new victims, suspects, and mysteries.
The opening novel, The Murderer’s Son, establishes the investigative partnership through a disturbing case involving violence and hidden connections. As Jackman and Evans examine the circumstances surrounding the crime, they encounter individuals whose relationships and past actions complicate the search for answers.
Ellis uses the investigation to introduce the detectives’ working methods and the broader police team. Rather than relying exclusively upon dramatic confrontations, the narrative develops through interviews, forensic evidence, and the gradual discovery of inconsistencies in witness accounts.
Subsequent novels expand the characters’ professional and personal experiences while maintaining the series’ emphasis on unsettling criminal investigations. The detectives frequently encounter cases in which apparently ordinary families or communities conceal longstanding conflicts.
One of the distinguishing features of the series is its Lincolnshire setting. The Fens are characterized by expansive farmland, waterways, isolated properties, and small settlements, creating an atmosphere that differs from the crowded urban environments often associated with British detective fiction.
The landscape contributes directly to the suspense. Remote locations can complicate searches, while the relative isolation of some communities makes residents vulnerable and allows secrets to remain hidden for years.
Ellis also examines the relationships within these communities. Neighbors may possess extensive knowledge of one another’s lives, yet personal loyalties, fear, or resentment can prevent witnesses from sharing crucial information.
Jackman and Evans must therefore understand more than the physical circumstances of a crime. Their investigations often require them to reconstruct complicated histories and recognize how earlier events continue to influence present behavior.
The series combines traditional police procedural techniques with psychological suspense. Evidence gathering and investigative coordination remain central, but Ellis also explores the motivations of offenders and the emotional experiences of victims.
Jackman’s measured leadership is particularly important when cases place pressure upon the team. His ability to consider different perspectives helps investigators avoid premature conclusions, while Evans’s persistence ensures that overlooked details receive attention.
Their professional relationship develops naturally across the novels. Shared experiences strengthen their confidence in one another, even when difficult circumstances require them to challenge assumptions or make decisions under pressure.
Another recurring theme is the personal cost of police work. Investigating violent crimes exposes the detectives to grief, cruelty, and uncertainty, while their responsibilities can affect relationships outside the workplace.
Ellis balances these darker elements with moments of camaraderie and professional solidarity. The continuing presence of familiar colleagues gives the series a sense of community, allowing readers to become invested in the investigators as well as the mysteries they solve.
Although individual books generally feature separate cases, reading the series in publication order provides the clearest understanding of recurring characters and their development. The Murderer’s Son is the recommended starting point because it establishes the central partnership and investigative setting.
The Jackman and Evans books are separate from Ellis’s DI Nikki Galena and DS Joe Easter series and her Detective Matt Ballard mysteries. While these works share the Lincolnshire Fens as an important setting, they focus on different protagonists and investigative relationships.
Through its combination of intricate mysteries, atmospheric rural landscapes, and a dependable central partnership, the DI Rowan Jackman & DS Maria Evans series offers a character-driven approach to contemporary British police procedural fiction.