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series Reading Order

Commissario Alec Blume Books in Order

6 Books
2010 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Commissario Alec Blume

For the best experience, you should read the Alec Blume series in publication order, starting with The Dogs of Rome. The character's personal life, relationships, and adaptation to Italian culture develop continuously across the novels, making a sequential reading the most rewarding path.

Commissario Alec Blume Books in Publication Order

The series consists of six main novels following Alec Blume's investigations. The chronological timeline aligns perfectly with the order of release:

  • The Dogs of Rome (2010) – Introducing Alec Blume as he investigates the murder of an animal rights activist with deep political and mob ties.
  • The Fatal Touch (2011) – Blume probes the death of an Irish art forger, plunging into a world of high-stakes forgery and hidden treasures.
  • The Namesake (2011/2012) – A Milanese murder case connects to Rome's criminal elite, forcing Blume to navigate dangerous networks of influence.
  • The Memory Key (2013) – Also published in some markets as The Memory Theater, this story sees Blume solving a murder connected to a past terrorist bombing.
  • Bitter Remedy (2014) – Blume, dealing with illness, investigates a mysterious disappearance in a rural Italian villa.
  • Cardinal Witness (2017) – Blume tackles a high-profile case involving a cardinal, serving as the latest entry in the series.

Chronological Order and Title Caveats

Since the chronological order matches the publication timeline, there is no need to jump around. However, readers should be aware that the fourth novel was published as The Memory Key in the US and The Memory Theater in the UK. Both titles refer to the exact same book.

Tie-ins and Anthologies

Conor Fitzgerald contributed to the anthology Short Sentence: 10 stories of dastardly deeds (2012), published by Bloomsbury. While this collection features other notable crime writers, it is not a core installment of the Alec Blume series.

Frequently Asked

QIn what order should I read the Commissario Alec Blume books?

You should read the series in publication order, starting with The Dogs of Rome. The chronological events follow the publication order perfectly.

QAre there alternative titles in the series?

Yes. The fourth book, The Memory Key (2013), was also published in some markets under the title The Memory Theater.

QIs Conor Fitzgerald the same author who writes the Connor Fitzgerald thrillers?

No, there is another series featuring a protagonist named 'Connor Fitzgerald' written by a different author. The creator of the Rome-based Alec Blume series is Conor Fitzgerald (spelled with a single 'n').

QIs Cardinal Witness the final book in the series?

Yes, Cardinal Witness (2017) is currently the sixth and final novel published in the Commissario Alec Blume series.

QCan the Alec Blume books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained mystery, Blume's personal relationships, career progression, and past trauma develop sequentially, so reading them in order is highly recommended.

QWhere are the books set?

The series is set in Rome, Italy, offering a vivid and atmospheric portrayal of the city's political corruption, ancient streets, and modern criminal networks.