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DC Smith Investigation Books in Order

11 Books
2013 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Ultimate Reading Order for the Kings Lake Universe

Peter Grainger’s crime fiction universe, set in the fictional town of Kings Lake in Norfolk, England, is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. The universe is divided into two main sequences: the core DC Smith Investigation series and the spin-off Kings Lake Investigation series. While each novel presents a self-contained mystery, the interpersonal relationships, career advancements, and underlying personal histories of the detectives form a continuous narrative arc.

For this reason, we highly recommend reading the books in publication order. Reading them chronologically by publication ensures that you witness the evolution of the Kings Lake murder squad, follow Detective Sergeant David Smith's path toward retirement, and observe how his former proteges step into the spotlight to lead their own investigations.

Recommended Reading Path: The Combined Sequence

To experience the full progression of the Kings Lake universe, read the core DC Smith novels and the Kings Lake spin-offs in this integrated order:

  1. An Accidental Death (2013) – The debut novel that introduces Detective Sergeant David Conrad "DC" Smith as he investigates the suspicious drowning of a university student in Norfolk.
  2. But for the Grace (2014) – Smith tackles a sensitive investigation at an assisted-living facility, highlighting the series' signature focus on empathy and aging.
  3. Luck and Judgement (2015) – A missing person case involving a prominent businessman draws the Kings Lake team into the orbit of organized crime.
  4. Persons of Interest (2015) – The team reopens a cold case, demonstrating Grainger's strength in realistic, slow-burn police procedural details.
  5. In This Bright Future (2016) – Smith travels to Belfast to confront unresolved ghosts from his own past, offering deep insight into his character.
  6. The Rags of Time (2016) – The murder of a local businessman exposes corporate secrets and tests the loyalty of the Kings Lake detectives.
  7. Time and Tide (2017) – A body discovered on a Norfolk beach connects to previous local crimes, forcing the team to unravel complex local histories.
  8. A Private Investigation (2018) – Facing mandatory retirement, Smith is sidelined during the disappearance of a young girl, but he provides critical off-the-books mentorship to ensure justice.
  9. Songbird (2019) – The official launch of the Kings Lake Investigation spin-off, centering on DCI Cara Freeman and the remaining team, including Smith's former trainee, DS Chris Waters.
  10. On Eden Street (2020) – The second Kings Lake Investigation entry, following the squad as they handle a sensitive murder case in a seemingly quiet neighborhood.
  11. Roxanne (2020) – A fast-paced Kings Lake investigation that tests the team's professional limits and personal relationships.
  12. The Truth (2021) – DC Smith returns! Now retired, Smith acts as a private citizen to assist a former police colleague, Charlie Hills, in a deeply personal investigation.
  13. Missing Pieces (2021) – The Kings Lake squad deals with a complex web of cold cases and current disappearances that test their collaborative skills.
  14. The Camera Man (2023) – Retired DC Smith is hired by an insurance company to investigate the suspicious disappearance of a man whose wife wants him declared dead.
  15. Another Girl (2023) – The Kings Lake murder squad investigates a cold case involving a missing teenager, showing how the team has matured.
  16. The Late Lord Thorpe (2024) – A retired DC Smith is pulled back into action when the sister of a deceased nobleman questions the official verdict of an accidental death.
  17. Some Sort of Justice (2026) – DCI Cara Freeman and the Kings Lake team are tasked with officially reopening the suspicious death of the Earl of Burnham, which leads them into a politically sensitive cover-up spanning from Norfolk to London.

Core Series vs. Spin-offs: What is the Difference?

The first eight books focus entirely on DC Smith (David Conrad Smith). Smith is a veteran Detective Sergeant who previously held the rank of Detective Chief Inspector but accepted a demotion to stay active in field investigations. His dry wit, intuitive style, and mentoring relationship with rookie Chris Waters form the core of these novels.

Beginning with Songbird, the focus shifts to the wider Kings Lake Investigation series. This spin-off centers on the murder squad at the Kings Lake police station, now led by DCI Cara Freeman. While DC Smith is no longer a police officer, he continues to cast a long shadow over the squad. His proteges, DS Chris Waters and DS Serena Butler, take on leadership roles, applying the investigative philosophies they learned under his wing.

After the spin-off series established itself, Grainger began alternating between the Kings Lake police procedurals and new stories featuring a retired DC Smith. In books like The Truth, The Camera Man, and The Late Lord Thorpe, Smith operates as a private investigator or concerned citizen, resolving cases outside the official police hierarchy.

What to Know Before You Start

Peter Grainger’s work stands out in the crowded field of British crime fiction due to its rejection of hyper-violent tropes and sensationalism. Instead, the author focuses on the realistic, day-to-day grind of police work, subtle humor, and deep human empathy. The fictional Norfolk setting provides a atmospheric backdrop of coastal winds, quiet villages, and local politics.

For audiobook listeners, the series has achieved legendary status due to the narration of Gildart Jackson. Jackson's performance captures the exact dry, sardonic, yet warm tone of DC Smith and breathes unique life into the entire supporting cast.

Finally, readers should note that Peter Grainger is the pen name of Robert Partridge. Because the books were initially self-published, some older editions may list the author under his legal name or feature slight differences in cover art, but the text remains the same.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the DC Smith series?

You should start with the first book, An Accidental Death (2013), to properly experience the character relationships and detective squad dynamics from the very beginning.

QWhat is the difference between the DC Smith and Kings Lake Investigation series?

The core DC Smith series focuses on Sergeant David Smith, while the Kings Lake Investigation series is a spin-off focusing on the rest of the Kings Lake squad (like Chris Waters and Cara Freeman) after Smith’s retirement.

QWhy is David Smith called 'DC Smith'?

His full initials are D.C. (David Conrad), and his colleagues use it as a friendly, ironic play on the lowest detective rank, Detective Constable, despite him being a Sergeant and former Chief Inspector.

QCan the books in the Kings Lake universe be read as standalones?

While each book contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page, the personal lives and relationships of the characters evolve continuously, making publication order highly recommended.

QWho narrates the audiobooks for the series?

The audiobooks are narrated by Gildart Jackson, whose performance has been widely praised by fans for capturing DC Smith's dry wit and warm humanity.

QDo the DC Smith books cross over with the Willows and Lane series?

No, there is no crossover between them. Although both are written by Peter Grainger, the Willows and Lane books are set in Cornwall and follow amateur female sleuths, whereas the DC Smith series is a police procedural set in Norfolk.