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series Reading Order

Inspector Wexford Books in Order

26 Books
2 Reading orders
1964 – 2002 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Wexford Reading Path

For those looking to plunge into the Sussex town of Kingsmarkham, the best approach is straightforward: follow the publication order. Unlike some crime fiction series where chronological order differs wildly from the date of release, Chief Inspector Reginald Wexford’s cases unfold in real-time. Ruth Rendell wrote and published the novels in a linear timeline spanning almost five decades. Reading them in sequence allows you to experience the gradual evolution of the characters, their family lives, and the changing landscape of British society.

Publication Order of Inspector Wexford Novels

Here is the complete list of Chief Inspector Wexford novels, highlighting key titles and alternative titles under which they were released in the US and UK:

  • From Doon with Death (1964) – The groundbreaking debut where Wexford is introduced and investigates the murder of a housewife with a secret library.
  • Sins of the Fathers / A New Lease of Death (1967) – Published as A New Lease of Death in the UK and Sins of the Fathers in the US.
  • Wolf to the Slaughter (1967) – A gritty investigation into a blood-splattered house with no body to be found.
  • The Best Man to Die (1969) – A murder case involving the friend of Wexford's partner, Mike Burden.
  • A Guilty Thing Surprised (1970) – Wexford investigates the dark secrets of a wealthy family after a woman is killed in the woods.
  • No More Dying Then (1971) – A haunting, emotionally charged mystery surrounding the abduction of children, testing Wexford and Burden to their limits.
  • Murder Being Once Done (1972) – Wexford travels to London to recover from physical strain, only to get pulled into a murder case in a cemetery.
  • Some Lie and Some Die (1973) – Set against the backdrop of a local rock festival, featuring a murder that exposes long-held local secrets.
  • Shake Hands Forever (1975) – A brilliant showcase of Wexford’s dogged obsession as he hunts for the killer of a strangled housewife.
  • A Sleeping Life (1978) – Exploring gender roles and identity, Wexford investigates the murder of a woman whose past is entirely fabricated.
  • Death Notes / Put On By Cunning (1981) – Published as Put On By Cunning in the UK and Death Notes in the US, dealing with classical musicians and inheritance disputes.
  • Speaker of Mandarin (1983) – Wexford goes on a tour of China, where he is haunted by strange visions before a fellow traveler is murdered back in England.
  • An Unkindness of Ravens (1985) – Wexford tackles a case involving a missing man, bigamy, and a group of radical feminist teenagers.
  • The Veiled One (1988) – A shopping mall bomb blast and a strangled woman lead to Wexford being injured and Burden taking the lead.
  • Kissing the Gunner's Daughter (1992) – A bloody massacre at an upscale house leaves a spoiled granddaughter as the sole survivor.
  • Simisola (1994) – A pivotal, highly acclaimed entry dealing directly with race, identity, and social inequality in 1990s Britain.
  • Road Rage (1997) – Tackles environmental activism and road construction, culminating in a tense hostage crisis involving Wexford’s own wife.
  • Harm Done (1999) – A dark examination of domestic violence, pedophilia, and community panic.
  • The Babes in the Wood (2002) – Set during a devastating flood in Kingsmarkham, Wexford searches for missing children.
  • End in Tears (2005) – A complex investigation into surrogate motherhood and a double murder.
  • Not in the Flesh (2007) – Decades-old skeletal remains are unearthed in the woods, initiating a historical search.
  • The Monster in the Box (2009) – Wexford is obsessed with capturing a serial killer he believes got away early in his career.
  • The Vault (2011) – The first novel written after Wexford’s official retirement, finding him in London acting as an unpaid consultant.
  • No Man's Nightingale (2013) – The 24th and final novel, where a retired Wexford assists Burden with the murder of a local female vicar.

The Short Stories and Collections

In addition to the 24 primary novels, Ruth Rendell wrote several shorter Wexford pieces. To get the full experience, readers should look to the key collection:

  • Means of Evil (1979) – This collection contains five essential Inspector Wexford short stories: "Means of Evil", "Old Wives' Tales", "Ginger and the Kingsmarkham Chalk Circle", "Achilles Heel", and "When the Wedding Was Over".

The "Ginger and the Kingsmarkham" Confusion

Many bibliographies list a book titled Ginger and the Kingsmarkham published in 1992. It is important to know that this is not a 25th novel. It is actually a standalone pocket-book reprint of the short story "Ginger and the Kingsmarkham Chalk Circle" (which originally appeared in the 1979 collection Means of Evil). You do not need to hunt down this rare standalone volume if you already own Means of Evil.

Chronological Milestones & What to Know Before You Start

While the mystery in each book is self-contained, the characters age in real-time over the 49-year span of the series. If you read the books out of order, you will encounter major spoilers regarding the characters' personal lives:

  • The Wexford-Burden Dynamic: Chief Inspector Reg Wexford is a well-read, liberal, and empathetic family man. His partner, Detective Inspector Mike Burden, starts the series as a rigid, morally judgmental conservative. Their contrasting styles create rich tension.
  • Burden's Grief: In No More Dying Then (1971), Burden suffers a personal tragedy when his first wife, Jean, passes away. His grief and gradual recovery, leading to his remarriage to Gemma in A Sleeping Life (1978), form a major narrative arc.
  • Wexford's Family: Wexford’s daughter, Sheila, grows up during the series and eventually becomes a highly successful stage and screen actress, a development that frequently intersects with Wexford’s status in the media.
  • The Retirement Era: In The Monster in the Box (2009), Wexford prepares to step down. The final two books, The Vault (2011) and No Man's Nightingale (2013), show Wexford living as a retired citizen, adjusting to life without a badge while still lending his formidable analytical skills to the police.

Where Should You Start?

If you plan to read the entire series, you should absolutely start at the beginning with From Doon with Death (1964). It is a short, sharp introduction to Kingsmarkham and the core cast.

However, if you want to sample Rendell's writing at its peak before committing to the full run, these standouts make excellent entry points:

  • No More Dying Then (1971) – An outstanding psychological study of abduction and grief that represents the emotional core of the early series.
  • Shake Hands Forever (1975) – A suspenseful procedural that shows Wexford at his most obsessed and brilliant.
  • Simisola (1994) – A complex, socially conscious novel that highlights Rendell's transition into exploring modern cultural and political realities.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Inspector Wexford books be read out of order?

Yes, the individual mysteries are self-contained. However, because the characters age, marry, and retired in real-time, reading them out of order will reveal significant spoilers about their lives. Reading in publication order is highly recommended.

QIs "Ginger and the Kingsmarkham" a standalone novel?

No. Ginger and the Kingsmarkham (often listed under 1992) is a standalone paperback reprint of the short story "Ginger and the Kingsmarkham Chalk Circle", which was originally published in the 1979 collection Means of Evil.

QWhat is the very first Inspector Wexford book?

The series begins with From Doon with Death, published in 1964. It introduces Chief Inspector Wexford and Detective Inspector Mike Burden in the fictional town of Kingsmarkham.

QHow many novels are in the Inspector Wexford series?

There are exactly 24 novels in the main series, starting in 1964 and ending with the final book, No Man's Nightingale, in 2013.

QAre there any Inspector Wexford short story collections?

Yes, the primary collection is Means of Evil and Other Stories (1979), which contains five short stories featuring Inspector Wexford.

QHow does Wexford change in the final books of the series?

In the final books, The Vault (2011) and No Man's Nightingale (2013), Wexford has officially retired. He acts as an unpaid consultant, helping his former colleagues solve complex cases.