The Alice Rice series is best read in publication order. The books follow a continuous character arc for Alice as she navigates her career in the Edinburgh police force, dealing with personal loss, is...
The Alice Rice series is best read in publication order. The books follow a continuous character arc for Alice as she navigates her career in the Edinburgh police force, dealing with personal loss, isolation, and professional progression from Detective Sergeant to Detective Inspector. Starting with the first book ensures you understand the personal subplots and relationships that carry over between investigations.
Alice Rice Books in Order
Since the chronological events line up perfectly with the publication years, the order is straightforward:
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Blood in the Water (2007) – Introduces DS Alice Rice as she investigates a series of murders targeting Edinburgh’s professional elite.
Where the Shadow Falls (2008) – Alice is called to investigate the death of a retired sheriff amidst local wind farm disputes.
Dying of the Light (2009) – Inspired by real-life cases, this installment focuses on a killer targeting Leith’s sex workers.
No Sorrow to Die (2010) – Alice looks into the suspicious deaths of wealthy residents who left their estates to a local hospice.
The Road to Hell (2012) – A dark entry exploring Edinburgh's drug-fueled underworld and human trafficking.
Troubled Waters (2014) – Alice, now a Detective Inspector, investigates mysterious drownings along the Firth of Forth.
Spin-Offs and Standalones
While the Alice Rice series ended in 2014, author Gillian Galbraith has written other works that fans of her crime writing might enjoy:
The Good Priest (2014) – The start of her Father Vincent Ross series, featuring a parish priest and former defense attorney based in Kinross who becomes an accidental detective.
The End of the Line (2019) – A standalone psychological thriller that explores secrets and murder far outside the halls of Edinburgh's police departments.
Frequently Asked
QWhere should I start reading the Alice Rice series?
You should start with the first novel, Blood in the Water (2007). The series relies on Alice's character development and career progression, so reading them in order is highly recommended.
QIs the chronological order of the Alice Rice books different from the publication order?
No, the chronological order is identical to the publication order. The books follow a linear timeline from 2007 to 2014.
QWill there be a seventh Alice Rice book?
There is no official indication that Gillian Galbraith plans to return to the series. The last installment, Troubled Waters, was published in 2014, and she has since focused on other projects.
QWhat is Gillian Galbraith's background?
Before writing novels, Gillian Galbraith worked as an advocate specializing in medical negligence and agricultural law. She also worked as a legal correspondent and an advice columnist.
QAre there any other series by the same author?
Yes, Gillian Galbraith wrote The Good Priest (2014), which features Father Vincent Ross as a Kinross-based priest who solves mysteries. She also wrote the standalone thriller The End of the Line (2019).
