Step into the shadowy streets of Cardiff with Fiona Griffiths, a detective whose brilliant mind and haunted heart make her one of crime fiction’s most unforgettable heroines. Harry Bingham’s Fiona Griffiths series blends gritty police procedurals with deep psychological intrigue, offering readers a thrilling ride through Wales’ criminal underbelly alongside a protagonist who’s as enigmatic as the cases she solves.
With her sharp intellect and a past shrouded in mystery, Fiona tackles murders, frauds, and conspiracies while grappling with her own psychological complexities. This series isn’t just about solving crimes—it’s about unraveling the layers of a woman who feels more at home with the dead than the living. Ready to meet Fiona? Let’s dive in!
How Fiona Griffiths Began
British author Harry Bingham introduced Fiona Griffiths in 2012 with Talking to the Dead, a novel that sparked a critically acclaimed series. Inspired by his love for Wales, where he spent much of his childhood, Bingham crafted a young Welsh detective who’s anything but conventional. Fiona, a Cambridge-educated philosophy graduate, battles Cotard’s syndrome, a rare condition that makes her feel disconnected from reality, sometimes believing she’s dead. This unique trait, combined with Bingham’s desire to break from the mold of middle-aged male detectives, birthed a series that’s as much about Fiona’s inner world as the crimes she investigates.
Bingham’s background as a banker-turned-writer and his work with the Writers’ Workshop fueled his ability to craft a vivid, authentic narrative. The series, published by Orion in the UK and Random House in the US, quickly gained traction, with the first novel adapted into a Sky Living TV drama starring Sophie Rundle. Fiona’s compelling voice and Wales’ moody landscapes set the stage for a crime series unlike any other.
The Heart of Fiona Griffiths
The Fiona Griffiths series spans six novels, each plunging readers into complex cases laced with psychological depth. Talking to the Dead (2012) introduces Fiona as she investigates a prostitute’s murder, uncovering a platinum credit card linked to a dead millionaire—a clue that pulls her into a web of corruption. Love Story, with Murders (2013) follows Fiona as she discovers a human leg in a freezer, leading to a chilling case tied to a long-missing dancer. The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths (2014) sees her go undercover, blurring the lines between her identity and her alias as she dismantles a massive fraud scheme. Finally, The Deepest Grave (2017) weaves in Arthurian legend, with Fiona probing a murdered archaeologist’s connection to ancient Welsh history.
The series’ themes revolve around identity, trauma, and resilience. Fiona’s Cotard’s syndrome makes her an outsider, yet it sharpens her ability to connect with victims, giving her an edge in investigations. Bingham’s Wales—rugged, atmospheric, and steeped in history—acts as a character itself, grounding the stories in a vivid sense of place. The staccato prose and Fiona’s quirky, introspective narration create a style that’s both gripping and intimate, earning comparisons to Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander for her fierce individuality.
Each book balances standalone mysteries with Fiona’s evolving personal arc, from her strained family ties to her tentative romances. Fans love the series for its refusal to shy away from darkness while maintaining a thread of hope and humor, making Fiona a detective you can’t help but root for.
Why Fiona Griffiths Resonates
The Fiona Griffiths series has carved a niche in crime fiction, earning praise from outlets like The Seattle Times and Kirkus Reviews for its “precision plotting” and “absorbing protagonist.” Readers are drawn to Fiona’s complexity—she’s flawed, funny, and fiercely determined, making her relatable yet extraordinary. The series’ blend of traditional detective work with psychological exploration appeals to fans of authors like Val McDermid and Stuart MacBride, while its Welsh setting adds a fresh cultural flavor.
With over 100,000 copies sold and a TV adaptation, the series has built a loyal fanbase eager for more. Though no new books have appeared since 2017, Bingham has teased future installments, keeping hope alive for Fiona’s return. Her story continues to captivate because it dares to be different, offering a heroine who’s as much a mystery as the crimes she solves.
- Publication Years: 2012–2017
- Number of Books: 6
- Setting: Cardiff, Wales
- Notable Adaptation: Sky Living TV drama (2013)
Grab Talking to the Dead and dive into Fiona Griffiths’s thrilling, twisty world of crime and secrets. Trust us—you won’t put it down!