Where to Start with A.D. Scott
For readers diving into the world of A.D. Scott, there is only one logical starting point: the debut novel, A Small Death in the Great Glen. Unlike some mystery series where cases are entirely self-contained, this series relies heavily on character development, evolving relationships, and ongoing subplots that progress from book to book.
Starting at the beginning allows you to witness the protagonist, Joanne Ross, at her lowest point—trapped in a troubled marriage and working as a part-time typist—and follow her inspiring journey as she gains independence, becomes a full-time reporter, and navigates the complexities of the 1950s newsroom. Reading the series out of order will spoil significant character developments, including relationship shifts, career moves, and personal resolutions.
The Highland Gazette Mystery Series in Publication Order
The series consists of six novels published between 2010 and 2015. The publication order matches the chronological progression of the story events, making it the recommended reading path.
1. A Small Death in the Great Glen (2010)
Set in the mid-1950s, the series opener introduces Joanne Ross, a local woman escaping an abusive relationship, who takes a job as a typist for the Highland Gazette in Inverness. When a young boy is found dead in a canal lock, the community quickly dismisses it as a tragic accident. However, Joanne and the newspaper staff suspect foul play. Their investigation exposes the town's prejudices, class divides, and closely guarded secrets, setting the template for the series' blend of social realism and crime solving.
2. A Double Death on the Black Isle (2011)
Set in 1957, this sequel finds Joanne working as a reporter and raising her children as a single mother. The peaceful landscape of the Black Isle is shattered when two seemingly unrelated deaths occur on the same day. Joanne and her colleagues, including reporter Rob McLean and editor John McAllister, work to uncover the connection. The book highlights the changing social dynamics of post-war Scotland, including the arrival of rock 'n' roll and the clash between traditional and modern values.
3. Beneath the Abbey Wall (2012)
The third installment brings the mystery directly to the staff of the Highland Gazette. Mrs. Smart, the newspaper's beloved and highly efficient office manager, is found murdered. When suspicion falls on deputy editor Don McLeod, the newsroom staff rallies to prove his innocence. Joanne and Rob trace Mrs. Smart's secret life, revealing hidden histories that run deep beneath the local abbey and forcing the team to confront betrayal close to home.
4. North Sea Requiem (2013)
A bizarre discovery—a severed leg found in the laundry bag of a local shinty team—pulls the Highland Gazette staff into a strange and dangerous web. As Joanne and her colleagues investigate, they receive anonymous threats warning them to back off. At the same time, Joanne looks into the cold case of an American woman whose husband's plane disappeared in the North Sea during World War II, eventually linking the historical mystery to the present-day threat.
5. The Low Road (2014)
After recovering from a severe injury sustained in her last case, Joanne faces new challenges. Meanwhile, her editor and partner, John McAllister, is feeling trapped by the small-town constraints of Inverness. When an old flame from McAllister's past begs him to help locate her missing son in Glasgow, he travels south to the gritty city. This entry expands the scope of the series, contrasting the quiet Highlands with the dark, urban underworld of 1950s Glasgow.
6. A Kind of Grief (2015)
In the final book of the series, Joanne (now married to McAllister) takes an interest in Alice Ramsay, an artist and herbalist who has been accused of witchcraft by local religious traditionalists. When Alice is found dead in what the police quickly rule a suicide, Joanne suspects murder. Her investigation leads her into a web of local conspiracy and draws the dangerous attention of a secretive government agency, bringing the series to a dramatic and atmospheric conclusion.
Publication vs. Chronological Order: Are There Caveats?
Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated prequels or timeline jumps to worry about. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The events of the books run consecutively through the late 1950s, allowing the setting to age naturally along with the characters. Because the personal lives of Joanne, McAllister, Rob, and McLeod are highly continuous, skipping around the series will result in major spoilers regarding marriages, separations, and career changes.
What to Know Before You Start
A.D. Scott was the pen name of Ann Deborah Nolan, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and did not publish her debut novel until she was 64 years old. Her intimate knowledge of the geography, culture, and social atmosphere of the Highlands shines through in the rich settings—ranging from the Great Glen to the Black Isle. The books are less about high-speed chases and more about character studies, atmosphere, and the societal shifts of the 1950s, such as the struggles of independent women in a patriarchal society, domestic abuse, class divisions, and the decline of traditional rural life. Readers should be prepared for a slower, more deliberate, and deeply atmospheric reading experience.