Hays and Lyons Books in Order

Recommended Reading Order for the Hays and Lyons Series

If you want to experience the full evolution of the partnership between Detective Inspector Mick Hays and Detective Sergeant Maureen Lyons, the best path is to follow the publication order. The series, also widely known as the Galway Homicides or the Galway Homicide series, spans fifteen novels released by publisher The Book Folks between 2018 and 2023. While each book presents a standalone murder investigation with a clear resolution, the personal lives, professional dynamics, and character arcs of the main detectives develop continuously from one book to the next. Reading them chronologically allows you to watch their partnership grow from their very first case together in the misty bogs of Connemara.

Here is the complete publication order to guide your journey through rural Galway's dark side:

1. Murder on the Old Bog Road (2018): The series opener introduces readers to the atmospheric Connemara setting and the central detective duo. When a young woman's body is discovered in a ditch alongside a remote bog road, Hays and Lyons are called in. They quickly uncover a web of local secrets, lies, and connections to the criminal underworld that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
2. Murder at the Old Cottage (2018): In their second outing, the detectives investigate the brutal murder of an elderly man inside his isolated home. The case leads them deep into historical family grudges and organized crime connections reaching far outside the peaceful village limits.
3. Murder on the West Coast (2018): A botched kidnapping attempt along the rugged Atlantic shoreline of Connemara turns lethal. Hays and Lyons must navigate the treacherous coastal geography and tight-lipped locals to find the culprits before they strike again.
4. Murder at the Pony Show (2018): Set during one of Connemara’s traditional community events, this mystery kicks off when a prominent local figure is found dead at the annual pony show. The detectives must sift through professional rivalries and community jealousies to identify the killer.
5. Murder on Pay Day (2018): A shocking robbery and murder on a local business's pay day leaves the community reeling. Hays and Lyons investigate the financial and personal motives of those closest to the victim, realizing that greed knows no bounds in rural Ireland.
6. Murder in the Air (2018): Moving away from the ground-level bogs, this installment centers on a mysterious death linked to a local light aircraft crash. The investigation pushes the team to look at the skies and the high-flying secrets of Galway's wealthier residents.
7. Murder at the Holiday Home (2019): What was supposed to be a quiet tourist retreat becomes the scene of a gruesome crime. The detectives look into the lives of summer visitors and the locals who cater to them, exposing the friction between outsiders and residents.
8. Murder on the Peninsula (2019): In this atmospheric story, a body is discovered on a windswept peninsula. Hays and Lyons battle the elements and a conspiracy of silence to pierce the isolation of a small, coastal community.
9. Murder at the Races (2019): The excitement of the famous Galway Races is cut short by the murder of a high-profile bookmaker. Navigating the chaotic crowds and the high-stakes gambling world, Hays and Lyons must find a killer who knows how to cover their tracks.
10. Murder in a Safe Haven (2020): The team investigates a murder at a local sanctuary meant to protect vulnerable individuals. The irony of the crime pushes Lyons and Hays to dig deep into the histories of both the staff and those seeking shelter.
11. Murder in an Irish Bog (2021): Pearson returns to the iconic, peat-scented landscapes of rural Galway. A long-buried skeleton is unearthed, prompting a cold case investigation that forces the detectives to confront decades of local silence.
12. Murder in a Seaside Town (2021): Set in a picturesque coastal resort, the peace of the off-season is shattered by a sudden death. The investigation reveals that the town's charming facade conceals deep-seated resentments and illegal activities.
13. Murder by the Hidden Bay (2022): A secluded inlet along the Atlantic coast becomes the focal point of a complex murder mystery. The detectives must piece together clues scattered across isolated islands and local fishing communities.
14. Murder at the Arts Festival (2023): The vibrant atmosphere of a Galway arts celebration is ruined by the discovery of a dead artist. Hays and Lyons delve into the bohemian and competitive art scene to find a killer driven by jealousy and ambition.
15. Murder at the Caravan (2023): The fifteenth book in the series centers on a crime associated with a holiday caravan site. The investigation tests the detectives' patience and resourcefulness as they deal with transient guests and local hostilities.

For readers looking to collect the series, publisher The Book Folks has also released several digital box sets (such as books 1–3, 4–6, etc.) which collect the novels into convenient omnibus editions. These box sets follow the same publication order, making them an excellent way to binge the series.

Where Should You Start?

For the most satisfying reading experience, you should definitely start with the first book, Murder on the Old Bog Road. Although the mystery in each book is self-contained and resolved by the final page, the underlying personal journeys of Mick Hays and Maureen Lyons are sequential. Starting from the beginning allows you to appreciate the developing chemistry, trust, and changing dynamics of the partnership. Hays begins as the steady, strategic team leader, while Lyons starts as a sharp-eyed risk-taker. Over the course of the series, their professional relationship evolves significantly, and Lyons eventually takes on a more prominent leadership role in the investigations. This shift is much more rewarding to witness when read in order.

If you happen to pick up a later book, such as Murder at the Races or Murder at the Caravan, you won't be lost regarding the plot of that specific mystery. Pearson is skilled at providing just enough back-story to orient new readers without spoiling previous books. However, reading them out of sequence will lessen the impact of the characters' long-term professional growth and relationship development.

What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Setting

Before diving into the Galway Homicide series, it is helpful to understand the unique niche it occupies. David Pearson successfully bridges the gap between cozy traditional mysteries and grittier police procedurals. While the crimes are serious and the investigations are grounded in realistic police methods, the books avoid extreme graphic violence, gore, and dark psychological horror. Instead, they focus on the puzzles, the psychological motives of the suspects, and the rich human relationships of the recurring cast.

The setting is arguably a character in its own right. Most of the action takes place in the wild, windswept Connemara region, particularly in and around the coastal town of Clifden. Pearson, an avid photographer, draws directly from his own visits to the Irish west coast. The landscape—characterized by misty bogs, rugged coastlines, cozy village pubs, and unpredictable Atlantic weather—creates a highly atmospheric backdrop that enhances the sense of isolation and mystery. Understanding the geography of rural Galway, with its tight-knit communities where outsiders are viewed with suspicion, is key to understanding the unique challenges Hays and Lyons face.

Exploring David Pearson's Wider Universe

For readers who finish the fifteen Hays and Lyons books and want more of David Pearson's writing, the author has created several other series set in different regions of Ireland. While these series do not feature direct crossovers or shared cases with Hays and Lyons, they share a similar storytelling style, atmospheric depth, and engaging character dynamics. They are perfect companion reads for anyone who enjoys atmospheric Irish crime fiction:

• The Dublin Homicides: This series shifts the focus to Ireland's capital city, offering a slightly grittier, urban police procedural experience. It features Detective Inspector Aidan Burke and Detective Sergeant Fiona Moore across six novels, beginning with A Deadly Dividend.
• The Wexford Homicides: Set in the historic southeastern corner of Ireland, this series follows Detective Inspector Vikki Kirkby as she tackles mysteries centered around port towns and rural communities.
• The Mayo Murders: Located just north of Galway in County Mayo, this series is set around the town of Westport. It follows Detective Inspector Martin O'Shea and Detective Sergeant Deirdre Maguire, including their recent investigation in The Whiskey Bar Mystery.