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series Reading Order

Anderson and Costello Books in Order

13 Books
2007 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Anderson and Costello Series

For the best reading experience, you should follow the publication order of the series. Although each book presents a standalone investigation with its own complex mystery, the personal lives, professional dynamics, and long-term character arcs of Colin Anderson and Freddie Costello evolve significantly from book to book.

Starting with the first book ensures that you do not spoil the interpersonal developments and emotional beats that make this duo one of Tartan Noir's most compelling teams.

Anderson and Costello Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete sequence of the series, tracking their cases from their debut in 2007 through their latest investigations:

  • Absolution (2007)
  • Singing to the Dead (2009)
  • Dark Water (2010)
  • The Blood of Crows (2012)
  • The Night Hunter (2014)
  • The Tears of Angels (2015)
  • Rat Run (2016)
  • Standing Still (2017)
  • The Suffering of Strangers (2018)
  • The Sideman (2018)
  • The Red, Red Snow (2020)
  • On an Outgoing Tide (2021)
  • The Silent Conversation (2021)

Chronological Order Caveats

Fortunately, there are no complicated timeline jumps, prequels, or historical flashbacks that alter the chronology. The chronological order matches the publication sequence exactly. Readers can confidently follow the release dates to read the series in timeline order.

Related Series and Standalones

If you finish the Anderson and Costello series and want more of Caro Ramsay's atmospheric Scottish crime fiction, you can explore her other works:

  • DCI Christine Caplan Series: A separate police procedural series starting with The Devil Stone (2022), following a different detective reassigned from Glasgow to the Highlands.
  • Standalone Novels: Ramsay has also published standalone thrillers, including The Cursed Girls (2019, also published as Mosaic) and My Sister's Wedding (2026).

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Anderson and Costello series?

You should start with the first novel, Absolution (2007), to properly follow the evolution of the detectives' partnership and their personal character arcs.

QAre the Anderson and Costello books standalone stories?

Yes, each book features a self-contained murder investigation. However, the overarching personal lives and professional dynamics of the main detectives develop continuously, making publication order the best path.

QIs the chronological reading order different from the publication order?

No. The chronological order aligns perfectly with the publication sequence, meaning you can simply read the books in the order they were released.

QHow many books are in the Anderson and Costello series?

There are 13 books in the series, starting with Absolution (2007) and concluding with The Silent Conversation (2021).

QDoes the Anderson and Costello series connect to the DCI Christine Caplan series?

No, they are separate series. While both are Tartan Noir police procedurals written by Caro Ramsay, they feature entirely different protagonists and storylines.

QWhat is Tartan Noir?

Tartan Noir is a subgenre of crime fiction set in Scotland. It is characterized by dark, gritty environments, morally complex characters, and deep psychological investigation, which perfectly describes the Glasgow of Anderson and Costello.