Quigg Books in Order

How to Read the Quigg Series: The Recommended Order

For readers diving into the cases of Detective Inspector Quigg, the biggest decision is whether to start with the first published book or the chronological beginning. Author Tim Ellis launched the series with a focus on gritty realism, dark humor, and complex character dynamics, but he later wrote a prequel that sets the entire stage for Quigg's career in the UK.

We highly recommend reading the series in chronological order. Starting with the prequel, The Twelve Murders of Christmas, allows you to witness the beginning of Quigg's partnership with Sergeant Lulu Begone and explains how a homicide detective from the South African Police Service ends up tackling gruesome crimes across England. This path gives the best continuity for Quigg's chaotic personal life and rotating professional relationships.

The Chronological Reading Path

1. The Twelve Murders of Christmas (Published in 2011; Prequel)
2. Body 13 (Published in 2010; Series Debut)
3. The Graves at Angel Brook (Published in 2010)
4. The Skulls Beneath Eternity Wharf (Published in 2012)
5. The Terror at Grisly Park (Published in 2013)
6. The Haunting of Bleeding Heart Yard (Published in 2014)
7. The Corpse in Highgate Cemetery (Published in 2015)
8. The Enigma of Apocalypse Heights (Published in 2016)
9. The Lost Children of Bethnal Green (Published in 2016)
10. The Charnel House in Copperfield Street (Published in 2018)
11. The Exhibits in Mrs Salmon's Waxworks (Published in 2020)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While the chronological sequence flows most naturally for the character arcs, readers who prefer to experience the series exactly as it was released can opt for the publication order. In this order, Body 13 and The Graves at Angel Brook introduce Quigg as an established detective before The Twelve Murders of Christmas takes a step back in time to show his initial arrival in England.

Some book databases swap the order of the seventh and eighth books, listing The Enigma of Apocalypse Heights before The Corpse in Highgate Cemetery. However, reading them by their actual publication years (2015 and 2016 respectively) maintains the best storyline progression.

Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown

1. The Twelve Murders of Christmas (2011)

Though published third, this is the chronological starting point. Homicide Detective Inspector Quigg and his temporary partner, Sergeant Lulu Begone, are brought from South Africa to England on a police exchange program. They are immediately thrown into a high-stakes hunt for a festive serial killer who leaves victims stabbed, stripped, and linked to the verses of a Christmas carol. Quigg must solve the case to save his career, establishing the dark humor and extreme stakes that define the series.

2. Body 13 (2010)

In the original series debut, Quigg is paired with a new partner, Mavourneen Duffy. The duo is tasked with tracking down a stolen corpse, an investigation that spirals into a confrontation with a sinister pedophile ring known as the Apostles. This novel cements the gritty and uncompromising tone of the series, dealing with heavy themes alongside Quigg's increasingly complicated personal life.

3. The Graves at Angel Brook (2010)

Quigg faces off against a child-killing serial murderer who leaves cryptic Biblical clues at the crime scenes. Struggling to make headway, Quigg gets help from an unexpected source: a Canadian psychic. The book highlights Ellis's willingness to blend traditional police procedural elements with unusual investigative angles.

4. The Skulls Beneath Eternity Wharf (2012)

As Quigg's personal life remains a source of constant chaos, the detective is called to investigate human remains discovered beneath a wharf. The case leads him and his team into a web of historical secrets, local cover-ups, and immediate danger.

5. The Terror at Grisly Park (2013)

The fifth installment increases the tension as Quigg is confronted with a series of murders inside an unusual theme park. The theatrical nature of the crime scenes forces Quigg to decode the killer's psychological motives before the body count rises further.

6. The Haunting of Bleeding Heart Yard (2014)

A dismembered body mystery brings Quigg and his partners to Bleeding Heart Yard. The search for the killer reveals connections to a Holocaust survivor's past, weaving historical trauma and modern-day vengeance into a complex procedural narrative.

7. The Corpse in Highgate Cemetery (2015)

Set against the backdrop of London's famous Highgate Cemetery, Quigg investigates a macabre discovery. This entry leans heavily into the gothic atmosphere of the location while continuing the ongoing subplots involving Quigg's romantic entanglements and professional rivalries.

8. The Enigma of Apocalypse Heights (2016)

Quigg is called to investigate a mysterious death at a secluded compound known as Apocalypse Heights. The insular nature of the community and the erratic behavior of its inhabitants make this one of Quigg's most challenging and claustrophobic cases.

9. The Lost Children of Bethnal Green (2016)

Tackling a heartbreaking case involving missing youths, Quigg must navigate the historical streets of Bethnal Green. The investigation forces him to confront systemic failures and the dark realities of street life in London.

10. The Charnel House in Copperfield Street (2018)

When a gruesome charnel house is uncovered, Quigg is tasked with identifying the victims and finding the perpetrator. The sheer scale of the horror tests Quigg's resolve and his team's capabilities to their absolute limits.

11. The Exhibits in Mrs Salmon's Waxworks (2020)

The eleventh book brings the series into the 2020s. Taking inspiration from the historic Fleet Street waxworks exhibition, Quigg investigates a case where real-life horrors mimic artificial displays, offering a classic mix of suspense and macabre theatricality.

What to Know Before You Start

The Quigg series is not your typical cozy British mystery. Author Tim Ellis, drawing on his 22-year career in the Royal Army Medical Corps, injects a dose of harsh realism, psychological depth, and dark humor into the books. Here are a few key elements to keep in mind:

• The SAPS Connection: Quigg's background in the South African Police Service (SAPS) gives him a unique perspective on crime, procedure, and violence compared to his British counterparts. His arrival via a police exchange program is the catalyst for the early books.
• Polarizing Personal Life: Quigg is a highly flawed protagonist. His chaotic personal life, including complicated love triangles and unconventional relationships, is a major focus of the series. Some readers enjoy the soapy drama, while others feel it occasionally distracts from the core detective work.
• Rotating Partners: Part of the series' charm is Quigg's interactions with his partners, such as Lulu Begone and Mavourneen Duffy. The banter between them provides necessary levity against the very dark themes of serial murder, corruption, and child abuse.