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series Reading Order

Bridget Hart Books in Order

7 Books
2019 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

Because the Bridget Hart series features continuous character growth—especially in Bridget's life as a single mother to her teenage daughter and her career path within the police force—it is highly recommended to read these books in their original publication order.

  1. Aspire to Die (2019) – Introduces DI Bridget Hart as she investigates the murder of a wealthy student at a prestigious Oxford college.
  2. Killing by Numbers (2020) – Bridget enters the high-stakes contemporary art scene when a reclusive artist is found dead.
  3. Do No Evil (2020) – An unofficial investigation begins when body parts appear at a college reunion, making Bridget a suspect.
  4. In Love and Murder (2020) – A death at a country house party involving a government minister pulls Bridget into a web of political secrets.
  5. A Darkly Shining Star (2020) – Set during Oxford's festive season, this entry links a fresh Christmas market murder to a 25-year-old cold case.
  6. Preface to Murder (2021) – Bridget is tasked with protecting a controversial author at the Oxford Literary Festival.
  7. Toll for the Dead (2021) – Moving away from Oxford's city center, Bridget travels to the village of Hambledon-on-Thames to solve the murder of a churchwarden.

Chronological Notes and Setting

Unlike many police procedurals that jump around in timeline, the Bridget Hart novels flow sequentially. Even seasonal installments like A Darkly Shining Star fit best in their publication slot, as they build upon the personal developments established in prior books. While the first six books showcase the dreaming spires and academic intrigue of Oxford, the seventh book takes Bridget into the Oxfordshire countryside, expanding the scope of her investigations.

About the Authors and Related Series

M.S. Morris is the collaborative pen name of Margarita and Steve Morris, a married writing team who met while studying at Oxford University. They bring their personal familiarity with the university town to the Bridget Hart books. While the Bridget Hart series is complete with seven books, the duo also writes the DCI Tom Raven series (set in Scarborough, North Yorkshire) and the Carys Morgan series (set in Pembrokeshire, Wales). None of these series feature crossovers; they exist as standalone fictional universes.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best order to read the Bridget Hart series?

You should read the Bridget Hart series in publication order, starting with Aspire to Die. This allows you to experience the natural progression of Bridget's career and family life.

QWho is the author of the Bridget Hart series?

The series is written by M.S. Morris, which is the collective pseudonym of husband-and-wife writing team Margarita and Steve Morris.

QWhere are the Bridget Hart books set?

Most books are set in the historic university city of Oxford, England, except for the final book, Toll for the Dead, which is set in the village of Hambledon-on-Thames.

QAre the Bridget Hart and Tom Raven series connected?

No. Although both series are written by M.S. Morris, they feature different protagonists and settings, with no crossovers between Bridget Hart and DCI Tom Raven.

QWill there be an eighth Bridget Hart book?

As of 2026, the Bridget Hart series is complete at seven novels. The authors have focused on their other crime series, including Tom Raven and Carys Morgan.