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series Reading Order

Alice Quentin Books in Order

6 Books
2012 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Alice Quentin

To experience the full weight of Alice's personal journey, family struggles, and psychological growth, you should read this series in publication order. The books follow a continuous chronological path, meaning Alice's background, her relationships, and her personal healing develop steadily from one book to the next.

  1. Crossbones Yard (2012) - The series begins with Alice discovering a brutally murdered body at Crossbones Yard, a historic London burial site, drawing her into a dangerous investigation that mirrors her own family's dark history.
  2. A Killing of Angels (2013) - Alice is drafted to profile a killer targeting wealthy bankers in London's financial heart, navigating a high-stakes world of greed and sudden death.
  3. The Winter Foundlings (2014) - Set during a bleak winter at a high-security psychiatric hospital, Alice must evaluate a notorious child killer to help locate a missing girl.
  4. River of Souls / The Girl in the River (2015) - A body is pulled from the Thames near the bank where Alice lives, leading her into a case steeped in local history and dark secrets.
  5. Blood Symmetry (2016) - Alice helps a traumatized young boy who witnessed his mother's abduction, uncovering a sinister conspiracy linked to a medical scandal.
  6. Fatal Harmony (2018) - The final installment finds Alice visiting the remote Isles of Scilly, hoping for a peaceful retreat, only to be dragged into a tense search for a killer on the islands.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately, there is no need to jump around the timeline when reading the Alice Quentin books. The publication order matches the chronological timeline perfectly. Because Alice's character arc—specifically her relationship with her bipolar brother, Will, and her own trauma recovery—unfolds sequentially, starting with Crossbones Yard is highly recommended for the best experience.

Spin-Offs and Next Steps

There are no official spin-offs or companion short stories in the Alice Quentin universe. However, the final book, Fatal Harmony, is set in the Isles of Scilly, which served as the inspiration and precursor for Kate Rhodes' next major series: the Isles of Scilly Mysteries (featuring DI Ben Kitto). If you enjoy the atmosphere and setting of the final Alice Quentin book, transitioning to the Ben Kitto series is the perfect next step.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Alice Quentin series?

You should start with the first novel, Crossbones Yard, to properly follow Alice's personal and professional evolution from the beginning.

QAre there any alternative titles in the series?

Yes. The fourth novel, River of Souls, is also published under the title The Girl in the River in some markets.

QCan the Alice Quentin books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved, the overarching storyline involving Alice's family, trauma, and personal growth makes reading them in order far more rewarding.

QIs the Alice Quentin series complete?

Yes. The series concluded with the sixth novel, Fatal Harmony, in 2018. The author has since shifted her focus to her Isles of Scilly Mysteries.

QWhat is Alice Quentin's profession in the books?

Alice is a forensic psychologist who lives and works in London. She frequently collaborates with the police to build psychological profiles of serial killers.

QAre there any co-authored books or short stories in the series?

No. All six novels were written solely by Kate Rhodes, and there are no published short stories or official tie-ins in this specific series.