Where to Start Reading the Resurrection Man Series
For readers diving into the action-packed world of Jim Grant, the best starting point is undoubtedly Jamaica Plain. Originally published in 2009 and later re-released, this novel serves as the perfect introduction to the character, his fish-out-of-water dynamic as a British cop in America, and the high-stakes television standoff that earns him the iconic nickname 'Resurrection Man.' Starting here allows you to experience the natural evolution of Grant’s character as he drifts from the East Coast to the West Coast and back again.
However, if you prefer following a character's lifecycle from the very beginning, you can opt for the chronological route. This path starts with the prequel novel Operation Snow Queen, which takes place during Grant's early days in the British Army, followed by Snake Pass, which explores his pre-US policing career in West Yorkshire.
Resurrection Man Books in Publication Order
Following the books by their publication date is the easiest way to experience the escalation of the series. Below is the complete publication order of the Jim Grant novels and collections:
- Jamaica Plain (2009 / Re-released 2013): The debut novel. Jim Grant travels from Yorkshire to Boston to interview a prisoner but is caught in a bombing plot, leading to a live-television standoff that makes him a media sensation as the 'Resurrection Man.'
- Montecito Heights (2014): Grant heads to Los Angeles, California, diving into the seedy underbelly of the local adult film industry to locate a senator's missing daughter.
- Adobe Flats (2014): A personal mission takes Jim Grant to the dusty landscapes of Texas, where he runs afoul of a dangerous local kingpin.
- Snake Pass (2015): A retrospective novel set in the snowy Peak District of Yorkshire. While suspended from the West Yorkshire Police, Grant gets caught up in a violent standoff at a remote diner.
- Beacon Hill (2017): Grant returns to Boston, matching wits with the city’s wealthy elite and local organized crime syndicates.
- Shelter Cove (2018): Living under the surfer alias 'Cole Thornton,' Jim Grant tries to keep a low profile running a bookstore in a small California town, but trouble quickly finds him.
- Permission Granted (2020): A dedicated anthology collecting short stories and novellas featuring Jim Grant and Vince McNulty.
- Catawba Point (2020): Jim Grant heads to Ottawa County, Ohio, investigating a mystery on the shores and islands of Lake Erie.
- Forced Perspective (2021): The first official crossover novel teaming Jim Grant up with Colin Campbell's other major series protagonist, Vince McNulty.
- Chance Harbour (2022): After surviving a near-death experience, Grant is pulled into New York and Boston when his estranged father is abducted by individuals connected to a Russian oligarch.
- Double Exposure (2023): The second major team-up novel featuring Grant and McNulty, where the two ex-cops face a drug cartel targeting their families.
- Operation Snow Queen (2024): A prequel novel exploring Jim Grant’s military service in the British Army while stationed in Germany.
The Chronological Reading Order
If you want to read Jim Grant's adventures in the order they occurred in his life, use this timeline:
- Operation Snow Queen: Jim's military days on a skiing exercise in Germany.
- Snake Pass: Jim's final, chaotic days as a police officer in Yorkshire.
- Jamaica Plain: Jim's arrival in Boston and the birth of the 'Resurrection Man' moniker.
- Montecito Heights: Jim's investigation in Los Angeles.
- Adobe Flats: Jim's Texas showdown.
- Beacon Hill: Jim's return to the streets of Boston.
- Shelter Cove: Jim's surfer bookstore phase in California under an alias.
- Catawba Point: The Lake Erie investigation.
- Forced Perspective: The first team-up with Vince McNulty.
- Chance Harbour: Jim's personal family crisis in New York and Boston.
- Double Exposure: Jim's second high-stakes operation with Vince McNulty.
Crossovers and the Vince McNulty Connection
Jim Grant shares a literary universe with Vince McNulty, another ex-cop from West Yorkshire who relocated to the United States to work as a technical advisor in the film industry. While McNulty stars in his own series (beginning with Final Cut in 2020), the two characters cross paths extensively in the novels Forced Perspective and Double Exposure, as well as the short story collection Permission Granted. While you don't need to read McNulty's solo books to enjoy the Jim Grant series, doing so adds rich context to their team-up dynamics.
What to Know Before You Start
The Resurrection Man series is highly regarded for its gritty authenticity, which stems directly from author Colin Campbell's real-life background. Campbell served in the British Army and spent 30 years as a police officer with the West Yorkshire Police before retiring in 2006. His experience brings a level of procedural accuracy and raw realism to the stories that is rare in the genre.
Furthermore, fans of crime fiction often enjoy the cheeky connection between the protagonist's name and Lee Child. The creator of the legendary Jack Reacher series was born James Dover Grant and wrote under the pen name Lee Child. Campbell named his Reacher-esque protagonist 'Jim Grant' as a playful nod, a gesture Lee Child himself appreciated, offering glowing endorsements for Campbell's thrillers.