Books On Board
series Reading Order

Alex Morrow Books in Order

5 Books
2009 – 2015 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

To fully appreciate the evolution of Detective Sergeant Alex Morrow, it is highly recommended to read the series in its original publication order. The books follow a continuous timeline where Alex's personal life, her pregnancy, her professional advancement, and her complex family dynamics—specifically her relationship with her half-brother Danny, a known criminal—develop sequentially.

Alex Morrow Books in Publication Order

  • Still Midnight (2009) – The series opener introduces DS Alex Morrow as she investigates a bizarre, botched home invasion and kidnapping in Glasgow that exposes deep family secrets.
  • The End of the Wasp Season (2010/2011) – A heavily pregnant Morrow is called to investigate the brutal murder of a wealthy woman, which has links to a high-profile banker's suicide. Winner of the 2012 Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.
  • Gods and Beasts (2012) – Morrow investigates a post office robbery where a grandfather is killed while shielding a child, leading to a web of police and political corruption. Winner of the 2013 Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.
  • The Red Road (2013/2014) – This case connects a recent murder in a police cell to a decades-old crime dating back to the 1990 peace talks and the demolition of Glasgow's Red Road flats.
  • Blood, Salt, Water (2015) – Stepping out of Glasgow to the seaside town of Helensburgh, Morrow investigates a missing person case that unravels money laundering, local conspiracies, and murder.

Are There Any Spin-offs, Tie-ins, or Crossovers?

Currently, the Alex Morrow series is a self-contained five-book sequence. There are no official spin-offs, short story collections, or crossovers featuring Alex Morrow. For fans of Denise Mina's writing, she has other acclaimed series like the Garnethill trilogy and the Paddy Meehan series, but they exist in separate story universes.

Future Adaptations

For readers who enjoy screen adaptations, the series is in development for a television adaptation by screenwriter David Kane, who is well known for his work on the television series Shetland and previously collaborated with Denise Mina on the adaptation of The Field of Blood.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read the Alex Morrow books out of order?

While each book features a standalone crime mystery, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The overarching character development, including Alex's family relationships and career progression, unfolds chronologically across the books.

QWhere should I start with the Alex Morrow series?

You should start with the first novel, Still Midnight, published in 2009.

QHow many books are in the Alex Morrow series?

There are exactly five novels in the main series, published between 2009 and 2015.

QWhich Alex Morrow books won awards?

Two books in the series won the prestigious Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year: The End of the Wasp Season (won in 2012) and Gods and Beasts (won in 2013).

QIs there an Alex Morrow TV series?

A television adaptation is currently in development by screenwriter David Kane (known for Shetland) with production company Freedom Scripted, though it has not yet aired.