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Blackshirt Books in Order

19 Books
1952 – 1969 Published
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Reading order

How to Start Reading the Blackshirt Series

If you want to experience the adventures of Richard Verrell, the gentleman thief known as Blackshirt, you have two primary entry points. The best place to start is at the very beginning with the original 1925 novel, Blackshirt, written by Bruce Graeme (the pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries). This book establishes Verrell’s double life as a famed mystery novelist who moonlights as a masked cracksman, setting up his complex moral code.

Alternatively, if you want to jump into the post-WWII era, you can begin with the continuation series started by Roderic Graeme (Roderic Jeffries, the original author's son) with the 1952 novel, Concerning Blackshirt. This serves as a soft reboot, introducing the character to a new generation of readers with more modern mid-century suspense elements.

Original Blackshirt Series by Bruce Graeme (Publication Order)

Written by Graham Montague Jeffries under the pseudonym Bruce Graeme, the original ten books follow Richard Verrell from the roaring twenties through the outbreak of the Second World War. We recommend reading these in publication order to see the character and the London setting evolve:

  • Blackshirt (1925)
  • The Return of Blackshirt (1927)
  • Blackshirt Again (1929) (also published as Adventures of Blackshirt)
  • Alias Blackshirt (1932)
  • Blackshirt the Audacious (1935)
  • Blackshirt the Adventurer (1936)
  • Blackshirt Takes a Hand (1937)
  • Blackshirt Counter-Spy (1938)
  • Blackshirt Interferes (1939)
  • Blackshirt Strikes Back (1940)

Continuation Blackshirt Series by Roderic Graeme (Publication Order)

After a twelve-year hiatus, Graham Montague Jeffries’ son, Roderic Jeffries, took up his father’s mantle under the pseudonym Roderic Graeme. He penned 19 further books in the series. While they can be read as standalone capers, reading them in publication order offers the best experience:

  1. Concerning Blackshirt (1952)
  2. Blackshirt Passes By (1953)
  3. Blackshirt Wins the Trick (1953)
  4. Salute to Blackshirt (1954)
  5. The Amazing Mr. Blackshirt (1955)
  6. Blackshirt Meets the Lady (1956)
  7. Paging Blackshirt (1957)
  8. Double for Blackshirt (1958)
  9. Blackshirt Helps Himself (1958)
  10. Blackshirt Sees It Through (1960)
  11. Blackshirt Finds Trouble (1961)
  12. Blackshirt Takes The Trail (1962)
  13. Blackshirt on the Spot (1963)
  14. Call For Blackshirt (1963)
  15. Blackshirt Saves the Day (1964)
  16. Danger For Blackshirt (1965)
  17. Blackshirt at Large (1966)
  18. Blackshirt in Peril (1967)
  19. Blackshirt Stirs Things Up (1969)

The Spin-off Series: Ancestors and Descendants

Bruce Graeme also expanded the Blackshirt universe with two spin-off series focusing on the cracksman's lineage:

  • Monsieur Blackshirt: Set in 16th-century France, this subseries follows Richard Verrell's ancestor. Key titles include Monsieur Blackshirt (1933) and The Vengeance of Monsieur Blackshirt (1934).
  • Lord Blackshirt: Set during the 1940s, this series features Anthony Verrill, the son of the original Blackshirt. The first book, Calling Lord Blackshirt, was published in 1943.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting book for the Blackshirt series?

The recommended starting point is the very first novel, Blackshirt (1925), which details the origin of Richard Verrell's career as a gentleman thief.

QWho wrote the Blackshirt books?

The original series was created by Bruce Graeme (pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries). His son, Roderic Graeme (pseudonym of Roderic Jeffries), continued the series starting in 1952.

QHow many books are in the main Blackshirt series?

There are 29 books in the main timeline: 10 written by Bruce Graeme (1925–1940) and 19 written by Roderic Graeme (1952–1969).

QWho is the main character of the Blackshirt books?

The main protagonist is Richard Verrell, a popular British crime novelist who leads a double life as a masked thief nicknamed Blackshirt.

QWhat are the spin-offs in the Blackshirt universe?

There are two primary spin-offs: the Monsieur Blackshirt series (about Richard's 16th-century ancestor) and the Lord Blackshirt series (about Richard's son, Anthony Verrill).

QCan I read the Roderic Graeme continuation books first?

Yes. You can start with Concerning Blackshirt (1952), which serves as a soft reboot for post-war readers and works well as a standalone entry point.