The Recommended Reading Order for the DI Tanner Series
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the DI Tanner series in publication order. While each novel presents a self-contained murder investigation that is resolved by the final chapter, the personal lives, careers, and the romantic tension between Detective Inspector John Tanner and Detective Constable Jenny Evans progress chronologically from one book to the next. Starting at the beginning ensures you do not spoil the long-term character arcs and personal developments that bind the series together.
DI Tanner Books in Publication and Chronological Order
The series began in 2019 and has maintained a rapid publishing schedule, capturing the imagination of readers who love a blend of gritty crime and atmospheric local detail. Here is the complete list of books in their correct reading order:
- Broadland (2019): The debut novel that introduces DI John Tanner, a detective fresh from London, who is thrown into his first local case when a girl's body is discovered in the serene waterways of the Broads. This book establishes the partnership between Tanner and local investigator Jenny Evans.
- St. Benet's (2019): The investigation turns dark and historic when a priest is found crucified on the ruins of St. Benet's Abbey. Tanner must dig through local secrets and historical mysteries to find the killer.
- Moorings (2019): A war veteran is found dead, leading Tanner and his team into a web of complex family disputes, greed, and hidden pasts that threaten the peace of the Norfolk waterways.
- Three Rivers (2020): Set during a dramatic gale, Tanner and Evans must race against the elements and a rising body count after a boat wreck exposes deadly secrets.
- Horsey Mere (2020): What initially looks like an accidental drowning soon reveals itself to be a calculated murder, drawing Tanner deep into the secluded communities surrounding the famous mere.
- The Wherryman (2021): A chilling case where folklore and murder collide on the water, forcing the team to separate superstition from a very real, calculating killer.
- Storm Force (2021): High-stakes tension rises as extreme weather and brutal crime meet on the Broads, testing Tanner's limits both professionally and personally.
- Long Gore Hall (2022): The team investigates a murder connected to a grand, historic estate, uncovering decades of lies, inheritance battles, and local rivalries.
- Weavers' Way (2023): Taking its name from the famous walking trail, this mystery leads Tanner across the Norfolk countryside to track down a killer who uses the trail as a hunting ground.
- Bluebell Wood (2023): A spring setting turns sinister when a body is discovered hidden among the wildflowers, exposing a community's hidden resentments and dark past.
- Swanton Morley (2024): Tanner is called to a picturesque village where a local resident's death shatters the quiet facade, revealing a web of deceit among neighbors.
- Stokesby Grave (2024): An old grave and a fresh body draw Tanner into a historical mystery that connects modern crimes with secrets buried long ago.
- The Bastwick Testament (2025): A wealthy patriarch's final wishes spark a deadly feud, leaving Tanner to navigate a puzzle of greed, betrayal, and familial hatred.
- Blackfleet Broad (2025): The quiet waters of a private broad become the scene of a baffling murder, forcing Tanner to confront exclusive social circles and tight-lipped suspects.
- The Watch House (2026): Set near the coastal edges of the Broads, this investigation probes the maritime history and isolated communities of the region as Tanner solves a haunting new crime.
What to Know Before You Start
David Blake's DI Tanner series occupies a unique space in British detective fiction. It is often described as a hybrid of dark cozy mystery and procedural crime thriller. Unlike exceptionally bleak noir novels, the DI Tanner books offer a balance of grim crime scenes with dry humor, a scenic backdrop, and the lighthearted, evolving romantic subplot between Tanner and Jenny Evans. Readers who enjoy L J Ross's DCI Ryan series or Joy Ellis's Nikki Galena books will find a very similar, comforting yet suspenseful atmosphere here.
The setting itself acts as a primary character. David Blake, an avid boater who has spent decades navigating the Norfolk Broads, uses his first-hand knowledge of the region's rivers, lakes, pubs, and historic ruins to bring the landscape to life. Every location mentioned in the books—from the ruins of St. Benet's Abbey to the moorings at Horsey Mere—is a real place, allowing readers to map out Tanner's steps in real life.
Spin-Offs and Other Series by David Blake
While some authors cross-pollinate their series, David Blake keeps his writing projects entirely separate. There are no crossovers or spin-offs connecting DI Tanner to his other works. If you decide to explore Blake's broader bibliography, be prepared for sharp changes in tone:
- The Inspector Capstan Series: A sci-fi comedy series with an absurd, satirical tone that is completely different from the serious police work of DI Tanner.
- The Abigail Love Series: A contemporary romantic comedy series following the chaotic life of a reporter, featuring lighthearted humor instead of crime investigations.
Because these series are so distinct in genre, readers looking for more mysteries like DI Tanner should stick exclusively to the Tanner books before branching out into Blake's comedic work.