Ted Darling Books in Order

The Ted Darling Reading Order at a Glance

L.M. Krier’s police procedurals are celebrated for their character-driven narratives, authenticity, and lack of the typical cliches of modern noir. To fully appreciate the personal growth of DCI Ted Darling, his relationships, and his ongoing work in Stockport, Greater Manchester, the books are best read in order.

The series offers two primary pathways: Chronological Order (starting with the prequel) or Publication Order (starting with the first written book). Below is the recommended reading order, including the latest additions to the series.

1. The First Time Ever (Prequel; published in 2017 but set first chronologically)
2. Baby's Got Blue Eyes (2015)
3. Two Little Boys (2015)
4. When I'm Old and Grey (2015)
5. Shut Up and Drive (2016)
6. Only the Lonely (2016)
7. Wild Thing (2016)
8. Walk On By (2017)
9. Preacher Man (2017)
10. Cry for the Bad Man (2018)
11. Every Game You Play (2018)
12. Where the Girls Are (2019)
13. Down Down Down (2019)
14. The Cuckoo is a Pretty Bird (2020)
15. Dirty Old Town (2020)
16. The End of the Line (2021)
17. It's Oh So Quiet (2021)
18. A Woman's Heart (2022)
19. No Way to Say Goodbye (2022)
20. Everybody Hurts Sometimes (2023)
21. Sweet Little Lies (2023)
22. Not to Tell (2024)

Chronological vs. Publication Order: Where to Start?

Because the prequel was written later, readers often debate the best starting point for the series. Here is how the two approaches compare:

The Chronological Approach (Recommended)

Starting with the prequel, The First Time Ever, allows you to witness the foundational moments of Ted Darling's career and personal life. You see Ted as a Specialist Firearms Officer, follow the life-changing meeting with his partner Trevor, and understand the critical decision that shifts him toward the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This path is ideal if you value chronological character progression and want to watch his relationship with Trevor develop from day one.

The Publication Approach

If you choose to read the books in the order they were written, you will start with Baby’s Got Blue Eyes. This drops you straight into Ted’s CID investigations in Stockport, where he is already a established detective. You would then read the prequel, The First Time Ever, as the ninth book in the sequence, treating it as a flashback that fills in his rich backstory. Both options are entirely valid, though most fans agree that starting with the prequel provides the smoothest narrative transition.

What to Know Before You Start

The Ted Darling series is distinct in the crowded landscape of British crime fiction. Unlike many fictional detectives who are portrayed as brooding, self-destructive, or prone to breaking the rules, Ted Darling is a refreshingly stable hero. He is a gay police officer who balances a high-stress career with a warm home life. He is supported by his long-term partner, Trevor, and their growing family of rescued cats.

Ted's character is also defined by his unique skills; he has a background as a Specialist Firearms Officer and holds black belts in four different martial arts, making him more than capable when investigations turn physical. The novels place a heavy emphasis on teamwork, showing Ted leading a diverse and loyal squad with mutual respect rather than acting as a lone wolf.

Author Lesley Tither, writing as L.M. Krier, brings real-world authenticity to the series. Her past career as a journalist and a court reporter in Stockport directly informs the realistic dialogue, procedural accuracy, and legal details of each investigation. Outside of the crime genre, Tither also writes travel memoirs under the pen name Tottie Limejuice, children's fiction as L.M. Kay, and has collaborated on books under the collective name Jilli Lime Holt.

Important Continuity Caveats

While most of the mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final page, the personal lives of the characters, the department politics, and certain long-running criminal investigations carry over across books. In particular, the author highlights that Every Game You Play (Book 11) is best read immediately after Preacher Man and Cry for the Bad Man, as it ties up ongoing threads and investigations introduced in those previous novels. Reading them out of order can lead to major spoilers regarding Ted’s career and personal safety.