Books On Board
Character Reading Order

Annie Raymond Books in Order

7Books
2010 – 2021Published
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Where to Start with Annie Raymond

The best place to begin your journey is with Like False Money, the first novel in the series. It introduces Annie Raymond as she takes on a temporary gig in Hull, dealing with a skeptical boss, drug investigations, and suspicious deaths. Starting here lets you follow Annie's evolution from a fledgling, often chaotic rookie investigator into a seasoned professional.

The Core Annie Raymond Series

The main series consists of seven books following Annie's private investigations. While they can be read individually, reading them in order lets you enjoy the development of Annie's personal life and recurring characters.

Recommended Reading Order

For the first three novels, you can follow either the original publication order or the collected trilogy order:

  • Like False Money (2010) – The debut novel that introduces Annie in Hull.
  • The Doll Makers (2011 / award won in 2004) – Annie visits Scotland and uncovers deep-seated family secrets. (Note: Although published in hardcover in 2010, paperbacks followed in 2011. The Falling into Crime trilogy places this as Book 2, which is the chronologically preferred reading order).
  • The Jawbone Gang (2011) – Annie investigates a mysterious box and a farmer's hidden secrets. (The trilogy places this as Book 3).
  • Where There's Smoke (2012) – The fourth core entry, continuing Annie's investigative career.
  • Tiger Blood (2016) – The fifth core entry, though it shifts focus towards the police procedural team, with Annie appearing in a minor role.
  • Syrup Trap City (2017) – The sixth book, thrusting Annie into an undercover restaurant scam.
  • Boxed In (2021) – The seventh book, which is designed to also function perfectly as a standalone mystery.

The Webber & Ahmed Police Crossovers

Penny Grubb's writing extends into a companion police procedural series featuring Detective Superintendent Martyn Webber and Detective Constable Ayaan Ahmed. These two series weave in and out of each other:

  • Buried Deep (2014) – While not in the core 7-book local PI list, this book serves as a vital bridge. It is Book 1 of the Webber & Ahmed series and is considered Book 5 chronologically in the wider Annie Raymond timeline, where Annie's private investigation collides with Superintendent Webber's official murder case.
  • Tiger Blood and Syrup Trap City serve as Books 2 and 3 in the Webber & Ahmed police procedural series, while keeping Annie Raymond involved in the narrative.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading the Annie Raymond series?

Start with Like False Money, the first novel which introduces Annie Raymond as a fledgling private investigator.

What is the correct order of the first three Annie Raymond books?

The publication order lists them as Like False Money, The Jawbone Gang, and The Doll Makers. However, the collected Falling into Crime trilogy lists The Doll Makers as Book 2 and The Jawbone Gang as Book 3.

How does the Annie Raymond series connect with the Webber and Ahmed series?

The two series weave together starting with Buried Deep, where Annie's private investigation intersects with Detective Superintendent Martyn Webber's official murder case.

Which Annie Raymond book won an award?

The Doll Makers won the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Debut Dagger award in 2004 under its manuscript form.

Can the books in the Annie Raymond series be read as standalones?

Yes, while they follow a continuous character arc, later novels like Boxed In can easily be read and enjoyed as standalone mysteries.

What is the role of the city of Hull in the series?

Hull and the surrounding East Yorkshire region serve as a gritty, atmospheric backdrop that influences the plots and themes of class, trust, and resilience.