Step into the gritty, heart-pounding world of Harry Devlin, where Liverpool’s shadowy streets and a lawyer’s quest for justice collide in Martin Edwards’ captivating crime fiction series. This eight-novel saga, spanning 1991 to 2008, follows Harry Devlin, a down-at-heel solicitor whose knack for trouble is matched only by his passion for truth. With a blend of legal drama, personal turmoil, and Merseyside noir, it’s a must-read for mystery lovers!
From the moment Harry steps onto the page, readers are hooked by his bruised yet hopeful spirit, navigating love, loss, and Liverpool’s ever-changing landscape. Edwards, a solicitor himself, infuses the series with authentic legal grit, earning praise for its vivid setting and complex characters.
How Harry Devlin Began
Martin Edwards, born in Cheshire and trained as a solicitor, launched the Harry Devlin series in 1991 with All the Lonely People. Inspired by his own legal career and Liverpool’s vibrant, often gritty atmosphere, Edwards crafted Harry as a relatable everyman—a lawyer with a good heart but a penchant for trouble. The debut novel’s success, including a nomination for the John Creasey Memorial Dagger, sparked a series that would span nearly two decades, capturing the city’s evolution from the dark 1980s to its 2008 rebirth as a European Capital of Culture.
The Heart of Harry Devlin
The series kicks off with All the Lonely People (1991), where Harry’s estranged wife, Liz, is murdered, and he becomes the prime suspect. His desperate search for her killer plunges him into Liverpool’s seedy underbelly, unraveling secrets about Liz and himself. In Suspicious Minds (1992), Harry investigates a client’s missing wife, only to uncover a web of deceit when her daughter vanishes too. Yesterday’s Papers (1994) sees Harry digging into a 30-year-old murder, stirring up deadly secrets, while Waterloo Sunset (2008) brings him face-to-face with a serial killer amid a transformed Liverpool.
Themes of justice, betrayal, and redemption run deep, woven into Harry’s personal struggles—love lost, moral dilemmas, and his tangled relationships with women like Valerie Kaiwar and Juliet May. Edwards’ Liverpool is a character in itself, its docks, pubs, and alleys pulsing with history and menace. The series blends classic whodunit plotting with noir’s darker edge, creating a style that’s both cerebral and visceral.
Why Harry Devlin Resonates
The Harry Devlin series has carved a niche in crime fiction, praised for its authentic legal insights and evocative portrayal of Liverpool. Critics like Marcel Berlins of The Guardian call Harry a “charming but down-at-heel solicitor” whose self-deprecation and grit resonate with readers. The series’ compassionate exploration of flawed, human characters, as noted by Frances Fyfield, elevates it to classic status. Its lasting appeal lies in Harry’s relatability—a man battling personal demons while seeking justice in a city as complex as he is.
- About Harry Devlin
- Publication Years: 1991–2008
- Number of Books: 8 novels, 8 short stories
- Awards: All the Lonely People nominated for the John Creasey Memorial Dagger (1991)
- Setting: Liverpool, England
Grab All the Lonely People and dive into Harry Devlin’s thrilling world of crime, heart, and Liverpool noir!