Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the DI Nikki Galena and DS Joe Easter books in publication order. Joy Ellis writes each book with a self-contained crime investigation, but the overarching personal arcs, the evolution of Nikki and Joe's partnership, and the long-term character growth build directly from one book to the next. Starting from the beginning allows you to witness the gradual thawing of DI Nikki Galena and the steady support of DS Joe Easter as they navigate personal tragedy and professional peril in their investigations.
The DI Nikki Galena & DS Joe Easter Books in Order
- 1. Crime on the Fens (2010) — Originally published as Mask Wars. This is where the series begins, introducing the unlikely partnership between Nikki and Joe.
- 2. Shadow Over the Fens (2011) — Originally published as Shadowbreaker. Joe's past is brought back to haunt him in a case that tests their trust.
- 3. Hunted on the Fens (2016) — An old case resurfaces, and Nikki finds herself the target of a ruthless enemy.
- 4. Killer on the Fens (2016) — Nikki chases her father’s dying wish, which uncovers secrets on a haunted airfield.
- 5. Stalker on the Fens (2016) — A chilling case involving a stalker targeting victims in Greenborough.
- 6. Captive on the Fens (2017) — A complex investigation involving kidnap and extortion.
- 7. Buried on the Fens (2017) — When archaeological remains are discovered, Nikki and Joe uncover a modern murder hidden among ancient history.
- 8. Thieves on the Fens (2017) — A series of robberies leads to a deadly web of corruption and murder.
- 9. Fire on the Fens (2018) — An arsonist strikes the Fens, leaving a trail of devastation and secrets.
- 10. Darkness on the Fens (2019) — An investigation into a brutal murder during a blackout reveals a dark conspiracy.
- 11. Hidden on the Fens (2020) — A body found in a silt pit forces the team to dig up long-buried secrets.
- 12. Secrets on the Fens (2021) — A mother and child vanish, and Nikki must dive into the town's most hidden corners.
- 13. Fear on the Fens (2021) — The team hunts for a killer playing a twisted psychological game.
- 14. Graves on the Fens (2022) — A double murder forces the team to confront past sins and dangerous vendettas.
- 15. Echoes on the Fens (2024) — The latest installment, plunging the duo into suspicious deaths connected to local lore.
Chronological Caveats & Title Changes
When searching for the physical books or e-books, you might encounter different titles. Joy Ellis's first two books in the series were originally published by a different publisher under alternative names: Mask Wars (which became Crime on the Fens) and Shadowbreaker (which became Shadow Over the Fens). Joffe Books later acquired the series, re-releasing the titles to match the iconic "on the Fens" branding. The content of the books remains the same, so there is no need to buy both versions.
In terms of chronology, the chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The events of each novel follow consecutively, tracing the seasonal changes in the Fens as well as the chronological aging of the characters. Reading the books out of order will expose you to significant spoilers regarding the characters' personal lives, relationship progressions, and department promotions.
What to Know Before You Start: The Setting and Tone
The DI Nikki Galena series is distinct for its rich, atmospheric setting: the Lincolnshire Fens. This low-lying, marshy region in the east of England is characterized by flat agricultural land, misty waterways, and isolated villages. Joy Ellis, who lives in the Fens herself, treats the environment as a central character. The flat landscape, moody skies, and dense fogs provide the perfect backdrop for gritty, suspenseful police procedurals.
The tone of the series strikes a balance between bleak crime and warm human connection. While the investigations often tackle heavy themes like gang violence, drug cartels, and tragic deaths, the core of the series is the redeeming power of loyalty. Nikki Galena begins the series as a volatile, angry detective mourning her daughter's tragic fate, but through her partnership with Joe Easter, she finds a path toward healing and justice.
Character Profiles: DI Nikki Galena & DS Joe Easter
At the center of the series is one of modern crime fiction's most compelling duos:
- DI Nikki Galena: When we first meet Nikki, she is a detective on the edge. Reckless, aggressive, and deeply scarred by the death of her daughter, she is given one last chance to save her career. As the series progresses, she grows into a fairer, more compassionate leader without losing her fierce edge.
- DS Joe Easter: Nicknamed "Holy Joe" by his colleagues for his calm, patient demeanor, Joe is a former soldier who fought in the Gulf War. His steady presence and military background make him the perfect counterweight to Nikki’s volatile energy. Together, they form an unbreakable bond that eventually develops into a quiet romance.
The Shared Fenland Constabulary Universe
Joy Ellis has built a rich, interconnected universe set entirely within the jurisdiction of the fictional Fenland Constabulary. While you can read the DI Nikki Galena series in isolation, fans of the Fens will appreciate the crossovers with the author's other popular series:
- DI Rowan Jackman & DS Marie Evans Series: This series is set in a neighboring division of the Fenland Constabulary. While it focuses on a different team led by the cerebral DI Rowan Jackman, the series shares supporting staff, such as pathologists, forensic experts, and psychologists.
- Detective Matt Ballard Series: Another police procedural series set in the same marshy region, sharing the same atmospheric tone and recurring background characters.
These crossovers are subtle, meaning you do not need to read the Jackman & Evans books to understand Nikki and Joe's investigations, but reading them alongside each other offers a fuller picture of crime-fighting in the Lincolnshire Fens.
Key Themes and Reader Advice
If you are deciding whether to dive into this series, here is what you need to know: each book can technically be read as a standalone mystery, as Joy Ellis does a wonderful job of resolving the central case in every volume. However, the character development is highly serialized. The romance between Nikki and Joe, the fates of their close colleagues, and the recurring antagonists are all running threads that will make much more sense if read sequentially.
Joy Ellis's partnership with her real-life partner, Jacqueline, a retired Surrey Constabulary police officer decorated with the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery, ensures that the police procedures, forensic science, and judicial elements ring true. This collaboration infuses a level of gritty authenticity and procedural accuracy that separates the Fens series from more speculative crime thrillers.
For readers who appreciate atmospheric settings like those in Ann Cleeves’s Shetland or Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy, the DI Nikki Galena series is a perfect fit. The isolated towns, marshy droves, and local folklore of eastern England are central to every plot, adding a layer of gothic suspense to the police investigations.