The Recommended Reading Order for Robert Finlay
For the ultimate experience with the Robert Finlay series, you should read the books in order of their publication. The series follows a tight, chronological progression tracking Robert Finlay's journey from a retired SAS soldier and Royalty Protection officer struggling with PTSD to an inspector handling complex, high-stakes investigations. Reading them out of order will spoil major character arcs, ongoing relationship developments, and the evolving conspiracy that spans the original trilogy.
Here is the recommended reading path:
- Wicked Game (Published: 2016)
- Deadly Game (Published: 2017)
- End Game (Published: 2018)
- Crow 27 (Published: 2022)
Robert Finlay Books in Detail
1. Wicked Game (2016)
The series begins with Wicked Game, which introduces Robert Finlay. Having survived active service in Northern Ireland with the SAS and transitioned to a seemingly quieter role in the London Metropolitan Police's Royalty Protection Command, Finlay hopes his past is behind him. However, when a series of bombs target his former SAS colleagues, Finlay is forced to confront old ghosts. He must rely on all of his survival skills to protect his family and uncover who is hunting his old unit. This debut was longlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers' Association (CWA) John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger in 2016.
2. Deadly Game (2017)
Set shortly after the events of the first book, Deadly Game finds Finlay still dealing with the psychological fallout of his past and the events of Wicked Game. When he is pulled into a complex investigation involving human trafficking, organized crime, and a deadly new street drug, he realizes that the threat to his family has not subsided. The investigation takes him from the streets of London to the international stage, blending procedural police work with military-style operations.
3. End Game (2018)
The final installment of the core Robert Finlay trilogy, End Game, ties up the lingering plot threads from the first two books. Finlay finds himself caught in a web of MI5 surveillance, political corruption, and a missing manuscript that contains secrets capable of bringing down the British government. As the conspiracy closes in, Finlay must go to extreme lengths to save a close friend and secure his family's safety once and for all.
4. Crow 27 (2022)
While the original trilogy concluded in 2018, Matt Johnson returned to the character in 2022 with Crow 27. In this novel, Detective Inspector Robert Finlay is sent to investigate a link between weapons found in the possession of London street gangs and a military barracks. Upon arrival, he finds himself investigating the suspicious death of a young soldier, despite warnings from high-ranking officers to stand down. Finlay teams up with Floria McLaren, a determined military policewoman, to bypass the cover-up. Crow 27 works well as a standalone investigation, but reading the original trilogy first provides vital context on Finlay's trauma and operational history.
Publication History & Chronological Caveats
In bibliographies, there is sometimes minor confusion regarding the publication year of Wicked Game. While Matt Johnson completed the initial version of the book around 2012, its official wide release and commercial success began when it was published by Orenda Books in late 2015 (eBook) and early 2016 (paperback). Since then, the publication order and chronological order have aligned perfectly, with each sequel picking up the narrative thread where the previous book left off.
What to Know Before You Start
The defining feature of the Robert Finlay series is its intense realism. Author Matt Johnson served for 25 years in both the British Army and the Metropolitan Police, and was diagnosed with PTSD in 1999. He began writing fiction as a form of therapy. Consequently, Finlay's struggles with trauma, hyper-vigilance, and the impact of service life on his family are deeply authentic, drawing directly from Johnson's real-life experiences.
For readers who appreciate this real-life policing perspective, Matt Johnson also co-authored a highly acclaimed non-fiction book in 2023 titled No Ordinary Day with John Murray. This work documents the 1984 murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London and the subsequent decades-long fight for justice. While it does not feature Robert Finlay, it deals with similar themes of police camaraderie, political cover-ups, and military-police intersections, making it highly recommended for fans of the novels.