Books On Board
series Reading Order

DI Ruth Hunter Books in Order

26 Books
2 Reading orders
2019 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the absolute best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the Publication Order of the main series. Simon McCleave wrote the novels to introduce readers to Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter as she relocates from London to North Wales, fleeing personal tragedy. Reading in publication order allows you to experience her character development, team relationships, and the gradual unraveling of her missing partner's mystery in the exact sequence the author intended.

However, if you are a chronological purist who wants to start at the absolute beginning of Ruth's police career, you can begin with the London-set prequel series, DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files, before diving into the North Wales investigations.

Publication Order of the DI Ruth Hunter Series

The main series primarily takes place in North Wales, particularly around the stunning and atmospheric Snowdonia national park. While the first full-length novel is The Snowdonia Killings, Simon McCleave has also released free prequel stories via his official website. Below is the full publication order, including the recent 2024 and 2025 additions:

  • The Theatre Street Killing (2019) – Web-exclusive prequel novella.
  • The Curtis Blake Killings (2019) – Web-exclusive prequel novella exploring DS Nick Evans' feud with gangster Curtis Blake.
  • The Snowdonia Killings (2019) – Book 1 (The official full-length debut).
  • The Harlech Beach Killings (2020) – Book 2.
  • The Dee Valley Killings (2020) – Book 3.
  • The Devil's Cliff Killings (2020) – Book 4.
  • The Berwyn River Killings (2020) – Book 5.
  • The White Forest Killings (2020) – Book 6.
  • The Solace Farm Killings (2020) – Book 7.
  • The Menai Bridge Killings (2021) – Book 8.
  • The Conway Harbour Killings (2021) – Book 9.
  • The River Seine Killings (2021) – Book 10.
  • The Lake Vyrnwy Killings (2022) – Book 11.
  • The Chirk Castle Killings (2022) – Book 12.
  • The Portmeirion Killings (2022) – Book 13.
  • The Llandudno Pier Killings (2023) – Book 14.
  • The Denbigh Asylum Killings (2023) – Book 15.
  • The Wrexham Killings (2023) – Book 16.
  • The Colwyn Bay Killings (2023) – Book 17.
  • The Chester Killings (2024) – Book 18.
  • The Llangollen Killings (2024) – Book 19.
  • The Wirral Killings (2024) – Book 20.
  • The Abersoch Killings (2025) – Book 21.
  • The Bala Lake Killings (2025) – Book 22.
  • The Last Beat Before Christmas (2025) – Web-exclusive holiday prequel novella.
  • The Liverpool Killings (2026) – Book 23.

The London Prequels: DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files

In 2021, Simon McCleave launched a separate prequel series called the DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files. Set in late-1990s South London, these books follow Ruth early in her career as a Detective Constable. They offer deep insight into her life before she became a seasoned Detective Inspector, highlighting the tough, high-pressure London cases that shaped her policing style.

  1. Diary of a War Crime (2021)
  2. The Razor Gang Murder (2021)
  3. An Imitation of Darkness (2021)
  4. London, SE15 (2021)

Chronological Reading Order

For readers who prefer a strict timeline of Ruth Hunter's life, the chronological order maps out as follows:

  • Start with the 1990s London cases in the DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files (Diary of a War Crime through London, SE15).
  • Read the prequel novellas set just before her move to Wales (The Theatre Street Killing, The Curtis Blake Killings, and The Last Beat Before Christmas).
  • Read the main DI Ruth Hunter series, beginning with The Snowdonia Killings and progressing through to the latest releases.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Ruth's investigations, here are a few practical insights to keep in mind:

The Pacing and Setting

Simon McCleave is a former television screenwriter (having worked on iconic British crime shows like Silent Witness and The Bill). His background is evident in the cinematic pacing, sharp dialogue, and tight structure of the novels. The setting of North Wales functions almost like a character itself, blending rugged landscapes, local community tensions, and touches of Arthurian folklore with modern police procedures.

Standalone vs. Continuity

Each book features a self-contained murder investigation that is resolved by the end of the novel. However, Ruth’s personal life, her battles with trauma and addiction, and her search for her missing partner develop continuously across the series. If you skip around, you will encounter significant spoilers regarding her personal life and the overarching narrative arcs.

The TV Adaptation

The series' immense popularity (with over two million copies sold) has paved the way for a television adaptation titled Snowdonia, scheduled to film on location in North Wales. Getting into the books now is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the characters before they hit the screen.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Ruth Hunter books?

The best starting point is The Snowdonia Killings, which is the first full-length novel in the DI Ruth Hunter series. This introduces you to her move to North Wales and the core cast of characters.

QAre the prequel novellas required reading?

No, novellas like The Theatre Street Killing and The Curtis Blake Killings provide fun extra backstory but are not required to understand the plot of the main novels.

QCan I read the DI Ruth Hunter books out of order?

While the murder mysteries in each book are self-contained, the overarching character development and the mystery of Ruth's missing partner span the entire series. It is highly recommended to read them in publication order.

QHow do the DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files fit in?

The DC Ruth Hunter Murder Files is a four-book prequel series set in 1990s London. They follow Ruth during her early days as a Detective Constable before she moved to Snowdonia.

QWhere can I find the free Ruth Hunter prequels?

Prequel novellas like The Theatre Street Killing and The Last Beat Before Christmas are periodically offered for free directly to subscribers of Simon McCleave's official email newsletter.

QIs the DI Ruth Hunter series being adapted for TV?

Yes! A television adaptation titled Snowdonia has been in development, with filming planned on location in North Wales.