Where to Start with Naomi Blake
If you are diving into Jane A. Adams’ gripping mystery series, the absolute best place to start is at the very beginning with the first novel, originally published as Mourning the Little Dead in 2002 (and later retitled by Joffe Books as Two Little Blonde Girls). Because the series is deeply character-driven, reading the books in order allows you to fully experience Naomi’s journey as she adapts to her sudden blindness, builds her post-police life, and navigates her complex personal and professional relationship with Detective Inspector Alec Friedman.
While the crime and suspense plots in each novel are self-contained and can technically be enjoyed as standalones, the emotional evolution of the recurring cast is continuous. Starting with the first book ensures you witness the introduction of Naomi's faithful guide dog, Napoleon, and the gradual shift in her relationship with Alec from close colleague to romantic partner and eventually husband.
The Great Renaming: Original Titles vs. Joffe Books Reissues
One of the most confusing hurdles for modern readers discovering Naomi Blake is the extensive retitling of the series. Originally published in hardcover and paperback editions by Severn House and Allison & Busby, the series was later acquired, digitized, and re-released by Joffe Books. In the process, Joffe Books updated the titles of several novels to appeal to digital audiences. To help you avoid accidentally purchasing the same book twice under different names, here is the complete publication order mapping the original titles to their modern Joffe Books counterparts:
- Book 1: Mourning the Little Dead (2002) – republished as Two Little Blonde Girls. This book introduces Naomi as she is drawn back into a cold case involving the disappearance of her childhood friends.
- Book 2: Touching the Dark (2003) – republished as The Camera Never Lies. Naomi deals with an old friend who has become the target of a dangerous stalker.
- Book 3: Heatwave (2005) – republished as Let the Woman Go. Naomi finds herself caught in the middle of a high-stakes bank robbery.
- Book 4: Killing a Stranger (2006) – published under the same title. A body is discovered in the woods, launching a complex investigation.
- Book 5: Legacy of Lies (2007) – published under the same title. The past comes back to haunt a family with deadly consequences.
- Book 6: Blood Ties (2011) – republished as What Lies Beneath. The murder of a young woman leads Naomi into a web of family secrets.
- Book 7: Night Vision (2011) – republished as Dead Silence. Naomi must hunt for a killer operating in the shadows of the night.
- Book 8: Secrets (2013) – republished as Darkest Secrets. Old secrets threaten to tear apart a small community.
- Book 9: Gregory's Game (2014) – republished as Out for Blood. Naomi confronts a dangerous game orchestrated by an enigmatic figure from her past.
- Book 10: Paying the Ferryman (2014) – republished as Without a Trace. A kidnapping case tests Naomi's deductive abilities.
- Book 11: A Murderous Mind (2016) – published under the same title. Naomi and Alec investigate a killer with a highly calculated, dark psychological profile.
- Book 12: Fakes and Lies (2018) – published under the same title. A mystery involving art forgery, deception, and murder.
A Deep Dive into Key Book Milestones
To give you a taste of how the series evolves, several books stand out as major milestones for Naomi's personal growth and investigative career. In the debut novel, Two Little Blonde Girls, Naomi is still dealing with the immediate psychological and physical aftermath of the motorway accident that took her sight. The case is highly personal, centering on a decades-old mystery involving childhood friends, forcing her to rely on memory and local connections rather than standard police procedures.
By the time of Let the Woman Go (Book 3), Naomi's role has shifted from a recovering ex-cop to an active, resourceful consultant. Trapped inside a bank during a violent heist, she must use her heightened sensory awareness to keep hostages safe and outsmart the criminals without the benefit of sight. Later, in Out for Blood (Book 9), the introduction of the mysterious character Gregory introduces a more complex, espionage-tinged flavor to the series, proving that Naomi's investigative talents extend far beyond local police work.
The Character Dynamic: Naomi, Alec, and Napoleon
The beating heart of the series is its central characters. Naomi Blake is not your typical detective. Having lost her sight in a devastating motorway car accident, she was forced to retire early from her promising career as a police officer in the English Midlands. Rather than letting this define her, Naomi harnesses her other senses, sharp memory, and analytical intellect to solve puzzles that stump active-duty officers. She is assisted by Napoleon, a glossy black Labrador guide dog who is as much a beloved companion as he is a functional partner in her daily life.
Alec Friedman provides a grounded counterpart to Naomi. As an active Detective Inspector, Alec respects Naomi’s sharp mind and frequently brings her in on investigations where traditional police methods fall short. Their partnership is built on deep mutual respect, which slowly warms into a romantic relationship. Seeing their bond solidify over the course of twelve novels is one of the most rewarding aspects of the series.
Setting the Scene: From the Midlands to Pinsent
Jane A. Adams crafts a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop for her mysteries. The early entries in the series lean heavily into the gritty, moody urban and suburban landscapes of the English Midlands. This location provides a realistic, down-to-earth environment for police procedurals and psychological suspense.
However, as the series progresses, the setting shifts. Naomi eventually resides in Pinsent, a fictional seaside town. Inspired by the real-world, windswept coastal communities of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, Pinsent features Victorian architecture, misty shores, and a tight-knit community where secrets are easily buried but hard to keep. This coastal setting adds a classic, slightly isolated atmosphere to the later mysteries, perfectly contrasting with the urban grit of the early novels.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you pick up the first book, it is helpful to understand the tone of Jane A. Adams' work. While Naomi Blake is a blind civilian consultant, these books are not lighthearted cozy mysteries. They lean heavily into psychological suspense, exploring the darker corners of human behavior, trauma, and obsession. At the same time, they avoid gratuitous violence, focusing instead on tension, clue-gathering, and the psychological interplay between the detective and the culprit.
Adams is also praised for her realistic portrayal of disability. Naomi's blindness is never treated as a "superpower" or a cheap plot device. She struggles with accessibility, relies on her training and Napoleon, and has to adapt constantly to physical environments. This realistic representation gives the series a grounded, authentic feel that sets it apart from other thrillers in the genre.
Other Works by Jane A. Adams
If you finish the Naomi Blake series and want more of Adams' trademark suspense, she is a highly prolific writer with several other series to explore. Most notably, her Rina Martin series features a retired actress who solves mysteries in the coastal town of Frantham. She also writes the historical Henry Johnstone mysteries set in the 1920s, and several standalone novels. While there are no direct crossovers between Naomi Blake and her other detectives, the thematic focus on resilience and psychological depth carries over beautifully across all her bibliographies.