Inspector George Gently Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Inspector George Gently

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the series in publication order. While the books are largely episodic, chronological order matches publication order since George Gently ages and the world of mid-20th-century Britain slowly shifts around him. Reading from the beginning allows you to appreciate the evolution of Alan Hunter's writing, Gently's subtle personal development, and the changing landscape of postwar East Anglia.

If you don't want to commit to the full 46-novel run right away, you can safely start with the following key entry points:

• Gently Does It (1955): The essential starting point. This debut novel introduces Gently on a working holiday in Norchester (a fictionalized Norwich), establishing his methodical style, his penchant for peppermint creams, and his habit of quietly observing suspects rather than rushing to conclusions.
• Gently by the Shore (1956): A fan-favorite early case where a body is found on a busy pleasure beach, forcing Gently to navigate a colorful cast of vacationers and locals.
• Gently Floating (1963): A great representation of Gently's mid-career investigations, set against the backdrop of the Norfolk Broads and riverbank murders.

The Complete Inspector George Gently Book List

Here is the complete list of the 46 Inspector George Gently novels written by Alan Hunter. Note that several books were published under alternate names in different markets (such as the US vs. the UK), or retitled for digital ebook editions.

1. Gently Does It (1955)
2. Gently By the Shore (1956)
3. Gently Down the Stream (1957)
4. Landed Gently (1957)
5. Gently Through the Mill (1958)
6. Gently in the Sun (1959)
7. Gently With The Painters (1960)
8. Gently to the Summit (1961)
9. Gently Go Man (1961)
10. Gently Where The Roads Go (1962)
11. Gently Floating (1963)
12. Gently Sahib (1964)
13. Gently with the Ladies (1965)
14. Gently North-West (1967)
15. Gently Continental (1967)
16. Gently Coloured (1969) (Also published as Gently Sinking in 2014 ebook editions)
17. Gently with the Innocents (1970)
18. Gently at a Gallop (1971)
19. Gently Where She Lay (1972) (Also published as Vivienne: Gently Where She Lay)
20. Gently French (1973)
21. Gently in Trees / Gently Through the Woods (1974)
22. Gently with Love (1975)
23. Gently Where the Birds are (1976)
24. Gently Instrumental (1977)
25. Gently to a Sleep (1978)
26. The Honfleur Decision (1980) (Also published as Gently Under Fire in 2014 ebook editions)
27. Gabrielle's Way / Gently Heartbroken (1981) (Also published as The Scottish Decision)
28. Fields of Heather / Death on the Heath (1981) (Also published as Gently in the Past in 2016 ebook editions)
29. Gently Between Tides (1982)
30. Amorous Leander / Death on the Broadlands (1983) (Also published as Gently with Passion in 2016 ebook editions)
31. Unhung Man (1984)
32. Once a prostitute... (1984)
33. The Chelsea Ghost (1985)
34. Goodnight, Sweet Prince (1986)
35. Strangling Man (1987)
36. Traitor's End (1988)
37. Gently With The Millions (1989)
38. Gently Scandalous (1990)
39. Gently To A Kill (1991)
40. Gently Tragic (1992)
41. Gently in the Glens (1993)
42. Bomber's Moon (1994)
43. Jackpot! (1995)
44. The Love of Gods (1997)
45. Over Here (1998)
46. Gently Mistaken (1999)

eBook Retitling Warning: Don't Buy Twice!

In recent years, Lume Books and Hachette re-released several of Alan Hunter's classic novels in digital and print-on-demand formats. Unfortunately for collectors, four of these books were published under completely new, modern titles, making them look like new entries in the series or posthumous publications. To save your wallet, keep this translation guide handy:

• Gently Sinking (2014 ebook) is actually Gently Coloured (1969).
• Gently Under Fire (2014 ebook) is actually The Honfleur Decision (1980).
• Gently in the Past (2016 ebook) is actually Fields of Heather / Death on the Heath (1981).
• Gently with Passion (2016 ebook) is actually Amorous Leander / Death on the Broadlands (1983).

The TV Show vs. The Books: Key Differences

Many modern readers discover George Gently through the acclaimed BBC television adaptation starring Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby, which ran from 2007 to 2017. However, the television series is extremely loose in its adaptation and differs from the source novels in several major ways:

• The Absence of John Bacchus: In the TV show, Gently's relationship with his young sergeant, John Bacchus, is the emotional core of the series. However, Bacchus does not exist in Alan Hunter's books. In the novels, Gently works either entirely alone or alongside a rotating cast of local officers, acting as a quiet, solitary detective.
• The Setting Shift: The novels are set predominantly in the flat, watery landscapes of East Anglia, specifically Norfolk. The TV series relocated the action to North East England (Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, and County Durham) to showcase an industrial, gritty backdrop.
• Gently's Personal Backstory: In the BBC series, Gently is a hardened, cynical widower whose wife was murdered by a notorious London gangster. In the books, Gently is a single bachelor, and his personality is generally warmer, more contemplative, and closely modeled after Georges Simenon's Inspector Maigret.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, it helps to understand the tone and style of Alan Hunter's writing. These books are not fast-paced thrillers or action-packed procedurals. Instead, they are slow-burn, character-driven mysteries that rely heavily on atmosphere and psychology. Hunter's prose is thoughtful, reflecting his background as a poet. Gently is a cerebral sleuth who relies on observation, human intuition, and patient questioning. The series serves as a wonderful time capsule of 20th-century English rural life, capturing the slow pace of pre-forensic, pre-digital policing.