Adam Croft Books in Order

How to Navigate Adam Croft's Crime and Thriller Universe

Adam Croft is one of the most successful independent authors in the world, having sold millions of copies of his suspenseful, fast-paced crime fiction. Because he writes across several subgenres—ranging from traditional police procedurals to Golden Age-style cozy mysteries and standalone psychological thrillers—knowing where to start can be daunting. Fortunately, his books are neatly organized into series, allowing you to choose your preferred flavor of mystery.

For the best experience, we recommend choosing a series that fits your mood and reading it in publication order. While most of his series follow a chronological flow, there are a few minor prequels and side-stories to keep in mind as you read.

The Best Starting Points for New Readers

Depending on what kind of mystery reader you are, there are three primary entry points into Adam Croft's work:

• For Police Procedural Fans: Start with Too Close for Comfort, the first novel in the popular Knight & Culverhouse series, or its prequel novella The Rookie.
• For Cozy & Classic Mystery Fans: Start with Exit Stage Left, the debut of the lighthearted Kempston Hardwick Mysteries.
• For Psychological Thriller Fans: Start with Her Last Tomorrow, the standalone blockbuster that launched Croft into global bestseller lists.
• For Atmospheric Regional Crime Fans: Start with What Lies Beneath, the first book in his highly popular Rutland Crime series.

1. Knight & Culverhouse Series

This is Croft's flagship police procedural series, set in the fictional town of Mildenheath. It follows the professional partnership and complex personal dynamics of detectives Wendy Knight and Jack Culverhouse. The books feature gritty investigations, fast-paced plotting, and ongoing character development, making it essential to read them in order.

While the first full-length novel was published in 2010, Croft later released a prequel novella, The Rookie, which explores Jack Culverhouse's early days on the force. You can read the prequel first, or insert it after you have established a feel for the characters.

Knight & Culverhouse Reading Order:

1. The Rookie (Prequel Novella, 2017)
2. Too Close For Comfort (2010)
3. Guilty as Sin (2011)
4. Jack Be Nimble (2015)
5. Rough Justice (2015)
6. In Too Deep (2016)
7. In the Name of the Father (2016)
8. With A Vengeance (2017)
9. Dead & Buried (2018)
10. In Plain Sight (2019)
11. Snakes and Ladders (2021)

2. Rutland Crime Series

Set in Rutland, England's smallest historic county, this series features DI Caroline Hills and DS Dexter Antoine. It is known for combining atmospheric local settings with complex investigations. The series has a strong sense of continuity, so reading them in order of publication is highly recommended.

Rutland Crime Reading Order:

1. What Lies Beneath (2020)
2. On Borrowed Time (2020)
3. In Cold Blood (2021)
4. Kiss of Death (2022)
5. Moment of Truth (2022)

Note: Croft has continued to expand this series beyond the core initial five books, including the release of No Way Out (2024).

3. Kempston Hardwick Mysteries

If you prefer classic, Golden Age detective stories with a touch of dry humor and eccentric characters, the Kempston Hardwick series is the perfect choice. Kempston Hardwick is an amateur private detective who feels as though he was born a century too late. Alongside his friend Ellis Flint, he solves traditional murder mysteries in modern settings. These stories are lighter in tone than Croft's other books and have even been adapted into popular audio plays.

Kempston Hardwick Reading Order:

1. Exit Stage Left (2011)
2. The Westerlea House Mystery (2013)
3. Death Under the Sun (2014)
4. The Thirteenth Room (2015)
5. The Wrong Man (2019)

4. Standalone Psychological Thrillers

Croft is equally famous for his gripping standalone psychological thrillers. These books do not share characters or continuity, meaning you can read them in any order you choose. They typically revolve around everyday people thrown into nightmarish situations, forcing them to make impossible choices.

• Her Last Tomorrow (2015) – The massive breakout hit that poses the question: would you kill your wife to save your daughter?
• Only the Truth (2017)
• In Her Image (2017)
• Tell Me I'm Wrong (2018)
• The Perfect Lie (2018)
• Closer To You (2020)

5. Sam Barker Series

Co-authored with fellow thriller writer Steven Moore, this short action-thriller series follows protagonist Sam Barker. It delivers a fast-paced, high-stakes ride that blends Croft's mystery plotting with Moore's signature style.

Sam Barker Reading Order:

1. Absolution (2019)
2. Betrayal (2020)

6. Novellas, Short Stories, and Non-Fiction

For quick reads, Croft has written several short stories and standalone novellas, including Gone (2016), Love You To Death (2017), and The Harder They Fall (2017). These are standalone pieces that can be enjoyed at any time. Croft has also written non-fiction guides, including his autobiography We Need to Talk About Adam (2012) and a guide for aspiring writers titled Tips for Writers (2013).