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Martha Gunn Books in Order

7 Books
2004 – 2019 Published
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How to Read the Martha Gunn Series

If you love atmospheric British police procedurals and crime fiction with a twist, the Martha Gunn series by Priscilla Masters is a must-read. Set against the medieval charm of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, this series features a unique protagonist: Coroner Martha Gunn. Rather than a standard detective, Martha deals with the aftermath of death, using forensic precision, legal authority, and deep human empathy to help solve crimes alongside Detective Inspector Alex Randall.

To fully appreciate the character growth, recurring subplots, and the evolving relationship between Martha and DI Randall, we highly recommend reading the books in publication order. The chronology of the cases mirrors the order in which the books were written, making it easy to follow along.

The Recommended Reading Order

  1. River Deep (2004) - Also published as "The River Severn Murders"
  2. Slipknot (2007) - Also published as "The Stoke Heath Murders"
  3. Frozen Charlotte (2011) - Also published as "The Shrewsbury Murder"
  4. Smoke Alarm (2012) - Also published as "The Malverley Grange Murders"
  5. The Devil's Chair (2014) - Also published as "The Burway Killings"
  6. Recalled to Death (2015) - Also published as "The Shropshire Castle Murders"
  7. Bridge of Sighs (2018/2019) - Also published as "The Church Stretton Murders"
  8. The Cliff's Edge Murders (2026)

The Alternate Title Pitfall: What Readers Need to Know

One of the most common points of confusion for readers diving into the Martha Gunn series is the presence of alternate titles. Many of the books have been republished—especially in newer ebook or international editions—under titles formatted as "The [Location] Murders" or similar phrases. To make sure you don't accidentally buy the same book twice, refer to the mappings below:

  • River Deep is the exact same novel as The River Severn Murders. It introduces Martha Gunn investigating a body washed up in the River Severn after a flood.
  • Slipknot (sometimes written as Slip Knot) is the same book as The Stoke Heath Murders, focusing on the suspicious death of a juvenile offender.
  • Frozen Charlotte is the same book as The Shrewsbury Murder (or The Shrewsbury Murders), centering on the discovery of a mummified infant.
  • Smoke Alarm is the same book as The Malverley Grange Murders (sometimes listed as The Melverley Grange Murders), where Martha deals with suspicious house fires.
  • The Devil's Chair is the same book as The Burway Killings, which revolves around a missing girl near a local Shropshire landmark.
  • Recalled to Death is the same book as The Shropshire Castle Murders, featuring a case in the historic Moreton Corbet Castle ruins.
  • Bridge of Sighs is the same book as The Church Stretton Murders, investigating a body found at a well-known local beauty spot.

Inside the Coroner's Cases: A Closer Look at the Books

To help you decide what to expect from each installment, here is a detailed breakdown of Martha Gunn's cases:

1. River Deep (2004)

The series begins with a flood. The River Severn overflows, and when the waters recede, they leave behind the body of a man in his fifties. Martha Gunn must establish his identity and the cause of death. What starts as a forensic inquiry quickly morphs into a complex web of deceit, long-held secrets, and murder within the Shropshire community.

2. Slipknot (2007)

When a teenager who was recently released from a young offenders' institution is found dead, the official narrative points to suicide. However, Martha's autopsy reveals suspicious details that don't add up. Facing pressure to close the case, Martha pushes forward to uncover the truth behind the boy's final hours, exposing corruption and community prejudice along the way.

3. Frozen Charlotte (2011)

During renovations of an old Shrewsbury house, builders discover the mummified remains of a baby dating back to the Victorian era. But when a modern-day infant goes missing shortly after, Martha is caught between a cold historical mystery and a desperate race against time to save a living child.

4. Smoke Alarm (2012)

Shrewsbury is hit by a series of devastating house fires. While the local police investigate arson, Martha Gunn must perform post-mortems on the victims. As she pieces together the forensic evidence, she realizes that the fires may be cover-ups for a much more sinister crime.

5. The Devil's Chair (2014)

Set near the atmospheric Stiperstones landmark known as the "Devil's Chair," this book explores local legends and modern crimes. When a young girl disappears from a campsite, Martha Gunn and DI Alex Randall are drawn into a haunting investigation that tests their professional boundaries and personal resolve.

6. Recalled to Death (2015)

The ruins of Moreton Corbet Castle become the backdrop for a grisly crime when the body of an unidentified homeless man is found slashed to death. Martha Gunn must reconstruct the victim's final days, navigating the dark underbelly of Shropshire to find a killer who believes their victim was disposable.

7. Bridge of Sighs (2018)

A tragic fall from a bridge at a Shropshire beauty spot is initially treated as a suicide. But Martha's meticulous examination reveals that the victim was dead before they hit the ground. The investigation leads Martha and DI Randall into a web of domestic secrets and historical grudges.

8. The Cliff's Edge Murders (2026)

In the highly anticipated eighth installment, a car plunges off a cliff near Clive Quarry. In the trunk, police make a shocking discovery: the carefully groomed, emaciated body of an elderly woman who had been kept in cold storage. Martha Gunn must identify this "Jane Doe" and find a third missing teenager who was in the car, all while navigating her growing relationship with the widowed DI Alex Randall.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, keep these practical points in mind:

  • The Coroner's Role: Unlike typical police procedurals, Martha Gunn doesn't arrest suspects or carry a badge. She is a coroner. Her job is to determine the cause, time, and circumstances of sudden or suspicious deaths. This unique perspective gives the series a hybrid feel—part forensic thriller, part traditional mystery.
  • Vivid English Setting: Priscilla Masters makes excellent use of Shropshire geography. Shrewsbury's cobbled streets, the loops of the River Severn, the Stiperstones, and Moreton Corbet Castle are all real locations that act as atmospheric backdrops.
  • Authentic Medical Detail: Masters' background as a practice nurse shines through in the forensic autopsies and medical accuracy of Martha's investigations.
  • Character Continuity: While the mystery in each book is self-contained, Martha's personal life—balancing twin children, coping with widowhood, and her evolving relationship with Detective Inspector Alex Randall—develops significantly across the novels.

If You Enjoy Martha Gunn, What Next?

If you finish the Martha Gunn series and want more, you should check out Priscilla Masters' other major mystery series: the Joanna Piercy series. Set in the rugged Staffordshire Moorlands, it features Detective Inspector Joanna Piercy solving crimes in the town of Leek. Like the Martha Gunn books, the Joanna Piercy novels are known for their strong female lead, evocative regional settings, and complex plotting.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Martha Gunn series?

You should read the series in publication order, starting with River Deep (2004) and ending with the eighth book, The Cliff's Edge Murders (2026). This allows you to follow the personal lives and relationships of the recurring characters in the correct sequence.

QWhy do the Martha Gunn books have different titles?

Several books in the series were republished under new, location-based titles (often styled as "The [Location] Murders"). For example, the first book, River Deep, is also sold as The River Severn Murders. Check the publication years and alternate titles list to avoid buying duplicate books.

QWho is the main protagonist of the series?

The main protagonist is Martha Gunn, a compassionate and sharp coroner based in Shrewsbury, England. She is a widowed mother of twins who works alongside DI Alex Randall to uncover the truth behind suspicious deaths.

QAre the Martha Gunn mysteries standalone?

Yes, the crime investigations in each book are self-contained and resolved by the end. However, reading them in order is recommended because the background plot—focusing on Martha's family life and her relationship with DI Randall—develops chronologically.

QIs there a new Martha Gunn book in 2026?

Yes, the eighth book in the series, titled The Cliff's Edge Murders, was published in June 2026 and features Martha Gunn investigating a body found in the trunk of a car that plunged off a cliff.

QWhere are the Martha Gunn books set?

The series is set in and around the historic town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England, utilizing real local landmarks like the River Severn, the Stiperstones, and Moreton Corbet Castle ruins.