The Recommended Reading Path
For the best experience, readers should follow the series in its original publication order. Because the books trace a continuous timeline from late 1968 through the summer of 1969, reading them chronologically is identical to reading them by release date. Reading the books sequentially is highly recommended because the core of the series is the complex, evolving relationship between Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen and Woman Police Constable Helen Tozer. Their personal growth, shifting partnership dynamics, and the persistent shadows of their past cases build upon each other from one book to the next.
While each novel features a self-contained murder investigation that is fully resolved, the overarching narrative of their lives—and the changing landscape of the London Metropolitan Police—makes starting anywhere other than the beginning feel disjointed. If you want to experience the full impact of their journey, start with the first novel and follow their path as the swinging sixties draw to a turbulent close.
The US vs. UK Title Guide
One of the most common points of confusion for readers of this series is that every single book has been published under different titles in the United States and the United Kingdom. To ensure you do not accidentally purchase the same novel twice, keep this handy reference guide in mind:
- Book 1: A Song from Dead Lips (UK) / She's Leaving Home (US)
- Book 2: A House of Knives (UK) / The Kings of London (US)
- Book 3: A Book of Scars (UK) / A Song for the Brokenhearted (US)
- Book 4: Sympathy for the Devil (UK) / Play with Fire (US)
DS Breen & WPC Tozer Books in Order
1. A Song from Dead Lips / She's Leaving Home (2013)
Setting: Late 1968 (Winter)
The series begins with the discovery of the body of a young, unidentified woman in a quiet corner of St. John's Wood, not far from the famous Abbey Road Studios. DS Cathal Breen, a quiet Irish investigator nicknamed "Paddy" by his prejudiced colleagues, is assigned to the case. He is reluctantly paired with WPC Helen Tozer, a farm girl from Devon who has fought her way into the unit. Together, they navigate a web of police corruption, the burgeoning counterculture, and the dark legacy of the Biafran War to identify the victim and track down her killer.
2. A House of Knives / The Kings of London (2014)
Setting: November 1968
Set just weeks after the events of the first book, the second installment finds Breen and Tozer investigating a politically sensitive case. The son of a prominent government minister is found dead in a drug-fueled hippie squat, and the police department is eager to sweep the matter under the rug. At the same time, the rise of powerful criminal syndicates and the shifting power structures of London's underworld threaten to tear the city apart. As the duo digs deeper, they uncover systemic corruption that reaches the highest levels of British authority.
3. A Book of Scars / A Song for the Brokenhearted (2015)
Setting: Early 1969
The third novel shifts the focus closer to Helen Tozer's personal history. Helen has returned to her family's farm in Devon, attempting to leave the trauma of her police work behind. However, when the past catches up with her, Breen travel to Devon to assist her. The investigation reveals a shocking connection between a local tragedy and the brutal legacy of the Kenya Emergency (the Mau Mau Uprising) from the previous decade. This book is widely praised for its raw emotional depth and its unflinching look at the historical scars of British colonialism.
4. Sympathy for the Devil / Play with Fire (2017)
Setting: Summer 1969
The final book in the quartet is set during the hot, restless summer of 1969. Against the backdrop of the moon landing and the anti-war movement, Breen and Tozer are called to investigate a gruesome murder in a commune. The case draws them into a murky world of international espionage, political radicalism, and countercultural passion. As the decade of rebellion reaches its climax, Breen and Tozer must confront the limits of their duty and make definitive choices about their future careers and their relationship.
The Generational Connection to Alexandra Cupidi
For readers who finish the Breen & Tozer series and find themselves wanting more, William Shaw offers a brilliant modern-day connection. His contemporary crime series featuring DS Alexandra Cupidi (which begins with the novel The Birdwatcher and continues in books like Salt Lane) is set in the wild, atmospheric marshes of Dungeness on the Kent coast.
Within the fictional universe, DS Alexandra Cupidi is the daughter of WPC Helen Tozer and Padraig Breen. While the Cupidi series stands completely on its own and deals with contemporary issues like illegal immigration and environmental crime, readers of both series will appreciate the subtle family dynamics, references to the past, and the recurring theme of strong, independent women navigating the challenges of police work across different generations.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, it helps to understand that William Shaw's 1960s London is a far cry from the sanitized, glamorous "Swinging London" often depicted in popular media. Shaw, drawing on his background as a journalist and subculture researcher, paints a gritty, realistic portrait of a society in transition. The books tackle head-on the systemic racism, rampant sexism, and institutional corruption of the era, particularly within the Metropolitan Police. WPC Helen Tozer faces constant, demeaning barriers as a female officer, while DS Cathal Breen is frequently isolated due to his Irish heritage. This historical accuracy and commitment to highlighting marginalized voices give the series its unique, compelling depth.