Washington Poe Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Washington Poe

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Washington Poe series in publication order. The series relies heavily on character development, particularly the evolving and heartwarming friendship between Detective Sergeant Washington Poe and civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw. Watching their professional and personal dynamic grow is just as crucial to the series as solving the gruesome mysteries.

Here is the recommended reading path, integrating both the core novels and the shorter companion works:

1. The Puppet Show (2018) – First Novel
2. Black Summer (2019) – Second Novel
3. The Curator (2020) – Third Novel
4. Cut Short (2020) – Short Story Collection (Read after book three to catch up on the duo's early mini-cases)
5. Dead Ground (2021) – Fourth Novel
6. The Cutting Season (2022) – Novella (Often categorized as book #4.5; written for the UK's Quick Reads initiative)
7. The Botanist (2022) – Fifth Novel
8. The Mercy Chair (2024) – Sixth Novel
9. The Final Vow (2025) – Seventh Novel (Originally announced under the working title The Third Light)
10. The Killer's Mark (2026) – Eighth Novel (Scheduled for release in August 2026)

Chronological Order Caveats and Side Stories

While the major novels progress linearly, M.W. Craven has released two shorter works that flesh out the characters and bridge the gaps between the primary Cumbrian investigations:

Cut Short (2020)

This is a collection of three short stories (The Grey Area, The Shouting Officer, and The Fireplace) featuring Poe and Tilly. In 2023, an audiobook version was released containing an additional story. These stories are best enjoyed after The Curator to appreciate the characters' history, though they can be read as quick standalone snacks at any point without spoiling the main novels.

The Cutting Season (2022)

Published as a standalone novella for the Quick Reads program, this fast-paced mystery takes place chronologically between Dead Ground and The Botanist. It sees Washington Poe attending a food festival when a murder takes place, pulling him into a swift, isolated investigation. Because it references events from Dead Ground, it is highly recommended to read it precisely in the 4.5 slot.

The Core Washington Poe Novels: A Closer Look

To help you navigate the series, here is a detailed breakdown of the main novels that form the backbone of the Washington Poe universe:

1. The Puppet Show (2018)

The book that started it all. Readers are introduced to Washington Poe, a disgraced and suspended detective living in a remote cottage on the Cumbrian moors, and Tilly Bradshaw, an incredibly brilliant but socially naive civilian analyst. When a serial killer begins burning elderly men alive in Cumbria's historic stone circles and leaves Poe's name carved into a victim's remains, the duo is paired up to solve the case. This novel won the prestigious Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Gold Dagger in 2019.

2. Black Summer (2019)

Poe is forced to confront one of his most challenging past cases when Jared Keaton, a celebrity chef Poe put away for the murder of his daughter, seemingly has his conviction thrown into doubt. A young woman walks into a remote police station claiming to be the supposedly deceased daughter. Poe must prove his original investigation was correct while navigating a complex web of manipulation and deceit.

3. The Curator (2020)

Set during the Christmas season, this installment pits Poe and Tilly against a mastermind who leaves amputated body parts scattered across Cumbria, accompanied by cryptic messages marked with the hashtag #BSC6. As the National Crime Agency struggles to find a connection between the victims, the investigation spirals into a dark conspiracy that hits close to home.

4. Dead Ground (2021)

When a man is beaten to death at a helicopter base, Poe and Tilly are called in to assist with an investigation that quickly intersects with a high-profile state visit and undercover military operations. This book shows a more action-oriented side of the series and won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger in 2022.

5. The Botanist (2022)

In this locked-room mystery masterpiece, a serial killer known as the Botanist sends poison-laced poems and pressed flowers to high-profile figures before killing them in seemingly impossible circumstances. Simultaneously, Tilly's mentor is targeted, raising the personal stakes. The novel won the 2023 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.

6. The Mercy Chair (2024)

Poe is coerced into attending therapy sessions, but his forced introspection is interrupted when a gruesome case emerges. A dark mystery involving historical secrets, trauma, and psychological torment pushes Poe and Tilly to their absolute limits as they track down a killer operating in the shadows.

7. The Final Vow (2025)

Originally announced under the working title The Third Light, this novel follows Poe and Tilly as they untangle a complex conspiracy. The story deals with deep betrayals and highlights how far the two will go to protect one another when the system turns against them.

8. The Killer's Mark (2026)

The eighth full-length novel, slated for release in late 2026, continues the adventures of the NCA's most effective and unusual investigative partnership. Poe faces a new threat that challenges his street smarts, while Tilly relies on her unmatched analytical abilities to decode the killer's patterns.

What to Know Before You Start

M.W. Craven draws heavily on his real-life background to craft the series. As a former probation officer with 16 years of experience in Cumbria, Craven brings an authentic sense of place and procedural realism to the stories. The Cumbrian landscape—with its rugged, windswept moors, historic stone circles, and isolated villages—acts as a character in its own right, adding a distinct atmospheric chill to the investigations.

Despite the dark and often graphic nature of the crimes, the series is highly praised for its humor. The banter between the street-wise, cynical Poe and the literal-minded, genius Tilly prevents the books from becoming overly bleak. Readers should also look out for Edgar, Poe's loyal springer spaniel, who brings a warm, domestic touch to Poe's isolated life on Herdwick Croft.

Spin-offs, Crossovers, and Author Connections

While the Washington Poe books stand firmly on their own, fans of Craven's writing may want to explore his other works:

• The DI Avison Fluke Series: Craven's debut series features Detective Inspector Avison Fluke, a cancer survivor leading the Force Major Incident Team in Cumbria. Interestingly, the plot for The Puppet Show was originally written to be the third Avison Fluke book. However, at his agent's suggestion, Craven reworked the story, created Poe and Tilly, and launched the new series. The Fluke series remains separate, with no direct character crossovers.
• The Ben Koenig Series: This US-based, fast-paced action thriller series follows ex-US Marshal Ben Koenig. It is entirely independent of the Cumbrian procedurals.