The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to start the DS Heckenburg series with the first full-length novel, Stalkers (2013). This book introduces Detective Sergeant Mark 'Heck' Heckenburg as a member of the National Crime Group (NCG) at New Scotland Yard and establishes the central dynamics of the series, including his tense, complicated personal and professional relationship with his superior officer, Gemma Piper. Starting here allows you to experience Heck at the height of his investigative career, battling the sinister 'Nice Guys Club' in a high-stakes investigation that sets the tone for the entire series.
While the prequel novella A Wanted Man (2015) takes place chronologically first, set in 1997 when Heck was a young Police Constable patrolling the streets of Manchester, it is best read as a companion piece or flashback after you have read at least the first book. Reading it later provides a rewarding look back at his origins and explains the development of his maverick attitude, which is more satisfying once you are already familiar with the veteran detective he eventually becomes.
DS Heckenburg Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read the series in the order they were released, you can follow the publication timeline below, which includes all full-length novels and companion novellas:
- Stalkers (2013) — The debut novel where Heck investigates the 'Nice Guys Club' and the disappearances of 38 women.
- Sacrifice (2013) — Heck pursues a gruesome 'calendar killer' staging public murders tied to specific holidays.
- The Killing Club (2014) — The relentless 'Nice Guys Club' returns for a brutal, high-stakes sequel.
- Dead Man Walking (2014) — Heck is sent to the Lake District where he faces a serial killer known as 'The Stranger.'
- A Wanted Man (2015) — A prequel novella showing Heck's early days as a young PC in Manchester in 1997.
- Hunted (2015) — Heck is framed and forced to go on the run, turning the investigator into the target.
- Ashes to Ashes (2017) — Heck takes on the ruthless criminal empire of the Geddes syndicate.
- Kiss of Death (2018) — An investigation into the death of a fellow officer leads Heck into a deadly conspiracy.
- Death's Door (2018) — A standalone short story novella focusing on a stalking case tied to an old murder.
- Rogue (2024) — Heck becomes a fugitive, operating outside the law to clear his name and survive.
- No Quarter (2025) — A major crossover novel where a disgraced Heck teams up with DC Lucy Clayburn in Manchester.
- Beast of the Field (2025) — A standalone novella featuring Heck and Gemma Piper investigating the 'Edmonton Strangler.'
The Chronological Order of DS Heckenburg
For completionist readers who want to follow Heck's career path in exact chronological order, the sequence is as follows:
- A Wanted Man (Novella set in 1997)
- Stalkers (Novel)
- Sacrifice (Novel)
- The Killing Club (Novel)
- Dead Man Walking (Novel)
- Hunted (Novel)
- Ashes to Ashes (Novel)
- Kiss of Death (Novel)
- Death's Door (Novella set around the events of Kiss of Death)
- Rogue (Novel)
- No Quarter (Novel)
- Beast of the Field (Novella set after Rogue)
The DC Lucy Clayburn Parallel Series and Crossover
In addition to the DS Heckenburg series, Paul Finch wrote a parallel crime thriller series set in Manchester starring Detective Constable Lucy Clayburn. For years, the two series ran alongside one another with a similar gritty realism. However, in No Quarter (2025), the two series officially collide. In this novel, Heck is a disgraced ex-cop on the run who is approached by DC Lucy Clayburn. She needs his maverick skills and 'rogue' background to help her dismantle her own father's criminal network.
To fully appreciate this crossover, it is recommended to read the first few books in the Lucy Clayburn series (starting with Strangers) before picking up No Quarter, as this will give you essential context on Lucy's complex background and her relationship with her father.
What to Know Before You Start
The DS Heckenburg series stands out in the crowded crime fiction market due to Paul Finch's unique background. As a former police officer with the Greater Manchester Police, Finch infuses the books with realistic procedural details, authentic dialogue, and a genuine understanding of the psychological toll of police work. Furthermore, Finch has a rich history of writing horror and thriller fiction, which translates into highly creative, suspenseful, and intense plots that read like high-octane action movies in book form.