How to Read the Lorne Simpkins / Justice Books
For fans of gritty, fast-paced British police procedurals, M.A. Comley’s Lorne Simpkins series (frequently referred to as the Justice series) is a powerhouse collection. Spanning over thirty novels and novellas, the series follows Lorne Simpkins (later Lorne Warner) as she transitions from a relentless Detective Inspector hunting down serial killers in London to a private investigator taking on international espionage and human trafficking. The series has sold millions of copies worldwide, keeping readers hooked not just with its high-stakes cases, but with Lorne’s deeply personal struggles—including a collapsing marriage, the loss of close partners, and direct threats to her family.
Because Comley has written several prequels and bridging novellas after the series began, readers have two primary choices when diving in: Publication Order (which mirrors the way the series grew) or Chronological Order (which aligns the prequels to their in-universe timeline). Below, we break down both reading pathways so you can decide how to begin your investigation.
Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
If you want the purest experience, we recommend starting with the series' debut, Cruel Justice. Published in 2011, this book introduces Lorne at the height of her powers as a Detective Inspector tracking a serial killer leaving headless bodies in Chelling Forest. It establishes her core dynamic with her partner, DS Pete Childs, and begins the long-running storyline of her deteriorating marriage.
While the prequel novel Blind Justice takes place chronologically before the events of Cruel Justice, it was written and released later in 2014. Reading Blind Justice first gives you early backstory on Lorne's career, but starting with the publication order allows you to experience the main mystery elements and character relationships as the author originally intended them to unfold.
1. Lorne Simpkins / Justice Series in Publication Order
Reading in publication order allows you to see M.A. Comley's writing style evolve alongside the characters. It also keeps you in sync with the original pacing of the overarching narrative, especially concerning Lorne’s nemesis, "The Unicorn."
- Cruel Justice (2011)
- Impeding Justice (2011)
- Final Justice (2011)
- It's a Dog's Life (2011) — A short novella featuring a lighter side of Lorne's life.
- Foul Justice (2012)
- Merry Widow (2012)
- Guaranteed Justice (2012)
- Ultimate Justice (2013) — A major turning point where Lorne transitions to working as a private investigator.
- Virtual Justice (2013)
- Hostile Justice (2014)
- Tortured Justice (2014)
- Blind Justice (2014) — A prequel novel looking back at Lorne's early days.
- Rough Justice (2015)
- Dubious Justice (2015)
- Calculated Justice (2015)
- Twisted Justice (2015)
- Mortal Justice (2016) — A bridging novella designed to fit chronologically between Cruel Justice and Impeding Justice.
- Justice at Christmas (2016)
- Prime Justice (2017)
- Unfair Justice (2017)
- Irrational Justice (2017)
- Heroic Justice (2017)
- Seeking Justice (2018)
- Shameful Justice (2018)
- Immoral Justice (2018)
- Toxic Justice (2018)
- Overdue Justice (2019)
- Caring for Justice (2019)
- Justice at Christmas 2 (2019)
- Savage Justice (2020)
- Vile Justice (2020)
- Flawed Justice (2021)
2. Chronological Reading Order
For readers who prefer a linear timeline without jumping backward into the past, this order weaves the prequels and bridging novellas into their proper narrative slots. Note how the prequel Blind Justice moves to the front, and the novellas slot in to bridge gaps between major cases.
- Blind Justice (Prequel - Lorne's early days on the force)
- Cruel Justice (The official starting point of the series)
- It's a Dog's Life (Novella following the events of Cruel Justice)
- Impeding Justice (High-stakes sequel involving "The Unicorn")
- Mortal Justice (Novella set as a bridge between the early books)
- Final Justice (Lorne teams up with MI6 in France)
- Foul Justice
- Merry Widow
- Guaranteed Justice
- Ultimate Justice (Lorne becomes a private investigator)
- Virtual Justice
- Hostile Justice
- Tortured Justice
- Rough Justice
- Dubious Justice
- Calculated Justice
- Twisted Justice
- Justice at Christmas
- Unfair Justice
- Prime Justice
- Irrational Justice
- Heroic Justice
- Seeking Justice
- Shameful Justice
- Immoral Justice
- Toxic Justice
- Overdue Justice
- Caring for Justice
- Savage Justice
- Justice at Christmas 2
- Vile Justice
- Flawed Justice
The Next Chapter: Justice Again (DI Katy Foster Spin-Off)
After the events of Flawed Justice, Detective Lorne Warner (formerly Simpkins) officially retires from active duty. However, the world Comley created does not end there. In 2020, Comley launched the spin-off series Justice Again.
This series shifts the spotlight to DI Katy Foster, Lorne’s former partner and colleague. In a brilliant nod to longtime fans, Katy's new partner on the force is none other than DC Charlie Simpkins—Lorne’s daughter, whom readers watched grow up during the original series. While Lorne is retired, she continues to make occasional cameo appearances and is frequently referenced as a mentor. If you have finished the main Lorne Simpkins saga, the Justice Again books are the direct continuation of this universe.
Justice Again Series Order:
- Gone In Seconds (2020)
- Ultimate Dilemma (2020)
- Shot of Silence (2021)
- Taste of Fury (2021)
- Crying Shame (2021)
- See No Evil (2023)
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping into Lorne's world, keep these quick tips in mind:
Standalone vs. Serial: While the individual crime investigations in each book are resolved by the final page, the character development and personal relationships are highly serialized. Lorne’s marriage troubles, the growth of her daughter Charlie, and her career shifts build directly from book to book. For the best character arcs, try not to skip around.
Novellas vs. Full Novels: The series features a mix of short novellas (like It's a Dog's Life and Mortal Justice) and full-length novels. The novellas are excellent quick reads that flesh out Lorne's personal relationships, but they are not strictly required if you only want to focus on the main novels.
Interconnected Universe: M.A. Comley is famous for crossing her characters over. As you read further into the Lorne Simpkins books and the Justice Again spin-off, you will find recurring appearances and nods to characters from Comley's other popular series, including DI Sally Parker and DI Sara Ramsey.