How to Read the Hanlon Series
The Hanlon books by British author Alex Coombs are split into two distinct, sequential eras: the DCI Hanlon police procedural series (originally published under the pseudonym Alex Howard) and the subsequent PI Hanlon series. To fully appreciate Hanlon's personal development, her relationships, and the shifting dynamics of her career, it is highly recommended to read the books in chronological order.
The Recommended Reading Order
Whether you are following her career within the Metropolitan Police or her subsequent cases as a private investigator, reading in order of publication ensures you follow her overarching character arc without spoilers.
Phase 1: The DCI Hanlon Series
This initial run introduces Detective Chief Inspector Hanlon (often referred to as DI Hanlon in earlier marketing and print runs). These books follow her tense, action-packed career in London and Oxford, where she is known for her uncompromising attitude, rogue methods, and deep loyalty to her partner, Enver Demirel. These books were originally published under the pen name Alex Howard, but were later re-titled and re-published under the author's real name, Alex Coombs, by Boldwood Books.
- The Stolen Child (Originally published as Time to Die in 2014; re-released in 2021)
- The Innocent Girl (Originally published as Cold Revenge in 2015; re-released in 2021)
- The Missing Husband (Originally published as A Hard Woman to Kill in 2015; re-released in 2021)
- The Silent Victims (Originally published as An Incidental Death in 2016/2017; re-released in 2021)
Phase 2: The PI Hanlon Series
Following a turbulent departure from the Metropolitan Police, Hanlon relocates to the rugged, remote West Coast of Scotland. Living in relative isolation, she works as a private investigator, taking on cases that bring a new flavor of danger. This phase of her journey was published directly under the name Alex Coombs.
- Silenced for Good (2020)
- Missing for Good (2020)
- Buried for Good (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
Alex Coombs brings an eclectic background to his crime writing. Born in Lambeth in 1961, Coombs studied Arabic and Islamic History at Oxford and Edinburgh before working in adult education and training as a professional chef. His diverse experiences shape the authentic, atmospheric backdrops of the books, moving seamlessly from the dark streets of London and academic halls of Oxford to the isolated villages of Scotland.
Readers often compare Hanlon to iconic characters like Lisbeth Salander or Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry. She is a rogue force of nature who frequently bends rules, crosses ethical boundaries, and deals with corruption inside and outside the police force to protect the vulnerable. While each mystery is self-contained, the emotional baggage, recurring characters, and Hanlon's career trajectory carry over from book to book.
The Title Renaming Confusion Explained
Many readers looking for these books get confused by the different titles in circulation. When publisher Boldwood Books acquired the rights to Coombs' backlist, they opted to repackage and retitle the original DCI Hanlon tetralogy to align them with the newer PI Hanlon books. If you purchase the newer editions, they will carry the names The Stolen Child, The Innocent Girl, The Missing Husband, and The Silent Victims. If you come across older physical copies in libraries or secondhand stores, they may still display the original title designs under the name Alex Howard.