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Parish and Richards Books in Order

32 Books
2010 – 2016 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Parish and Richards Series

The Parish and Richards series is best read in publication order. Because the books follow the developing professional relationship and personal lives of Detective Inspector Jed Parish and Police Constable Mary Richards, reading them sequentially is essential to understanding the overarching character arcs and career progressions. Chronological order matches the publication order exactly, making it straightforward for new readers to follow the duo's journey through the crime-ridden streets of Essex.

The Parish and Richards Books in Order

Here is the complete order of the Parish and Richards novels, beginning with their first case in 2010 and concluding in 2021:

  1. A Life for a Life (2010)
  2. The Wages of Sin (2011)
  3. The Flesh is Weak (2011)
  4. The Shadow of Death (2011)
  5. His Wrath is Come (2012)
  6. The Breath of Life (2012)
  7. The Dead Know Not (2012)
  8. Be Not Afraid (2012)
  9. The House of Mourning (2013)
  10. Through a Glass Darkly (2013)
  11. A Lamb to the Slaughter (2013)
  12. Silent in the Grave (2014)
  13. In the Twinkling of an Eye (2014)
  14. A Time to Kill (2014)
  15. Deceit is in the Heart (2015)
  16. The Fragments That Remain (2015)
  17. The Kisses of an Enemy (2015)
  18. Evidence of Things Not Seen (2016)
  19. Dominion of Darkness (2016)
  20. There is No Fear in Love (2016)
  21. All is Vanity (2017)
  22. Wings of the Dawn (2017)
  23. I Will Fear No Evil (2018)
  24. The Heart Knoweth (2018)
  25. Through the Eye of a Needle (2019)
  26. Lest Darkness Come Upon You (2019)
  27. Few Are Chosen (2019)
  28. All Things Must Pass (2019)
  29. The Way of All Flesh (2020)
  30. Pearls Before Swine (2020)
  31. Neither Angels Nor Demons (2021)
  32. The Motives of Men's Hearts (2021)

Where to Start and What to Expect

The clear starting point is A Life for a Life. This first novel establishes the setup of the series: Jed Parish, an experienced and somewhat world-weary Detective Inspector, is paired with Mary Richards, a rookie Police Constable in her twenties. Rather than the romantic tension common in many detective pairings, Parish and Richards share a supportive, almost familial brother-sister dynamic. Parish acts as a mentor, guiding Richards through the horrifying details of their investigations, while Richards brings a fresh perspective and moral clarity to their cases.

Readers should be prepared for dark, intense themes. Tim Ellis does not shy away from the grim realities of crime, frequently focusing on serial killers, child abuse, mutilation, revenge, and the deep psychological trauma experienced by both the victims and the investigators. However, the heavy subject matter is balanced by the sharp banter and genuine affection between the two leads, which provides a lighthearted reprieve from the gruesome crime scenes.

About the Author and Spin-offs

Tim Ellis brings a unique background to his crime writing. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for over two decades before working in education and eventually transitioning into full-time writing. His roots in Essex strongly inform the atmospheric settings of the books, from the foggy marshes to the urban pockets of the county.

While there are no direct spin-off series or cross-overs featuring Parish and Richards, Tim Ellis has written other books in the crime genre. His other major police procedural series follows Detective Inspector Quigg, beginning with the book Body 13. The Quigg series is distinct from the Parish and Richards books and takes place in its own narrative space, though it shares the same gritty style and dark humor characteristic of Ellis's writing.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Parish and Richards series?

You should start with the first book in the series, A Life for a Life, published in 2010. Starting here introduces you to the core partnership and setting.

QDo I need to read the books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. The characters grow, change ranks, and experience significant personal developments that build from book to book.

QAre there any crossover books between the Parish & Richards and Quigg series?

No. While both series are written by Tim Ellis, the Quigg series and the Parish and Richards series are completely separate with no crossover cases or characters.

QHow many books are in the Parish and Richards series?

There are 32 novels in the main series, starting in 2010 and ending with the publication of The Motives of Men's Hearts in 2021.

QWhat is the tone of the Parish and Richards books?

The books are gritty, fast-paced police procedurals. They tackle dark subjects such as serial killers and trauma, but balance this with humorous banter and a strong familial partnership between the two leads.