Adam J. Wright Books in Order

How to Read Adam J. Wright's Books

Adam J. Wright is a versatile British author who writes across two distinct genres: urban fantasy and police procedural crime thrillers. Because these series operate in entirely different subgenres, there is no single master chronological order that combines them. Instead, readers should choose their path based on whether they prefer supernatural detective cases, Yorkshire police procedurals, or Derbyshire village mysteries.

Here are the recommended reading paths and the complete list of his books in the optimal order.

Path 1: The Harbinger P.I. Series (Urban Fantasy)

If you love stories in the vein of The Dresden Files, Supernatural, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, start here. This series follows Alec Harbinger, a preternatural private investigator who tackles cases involving vampires, demons, fae, and dark magic. Because this series features a continuous narrative arc, character growth, and escalating threats, it is highly recommended to read them in strict publication order.

1. Lost Soul (2016)
2. Buried Memory (2016)
3. Dark Magic (2016)
4. Dead Ground (2016)
5. Shadow Land (2018)
6. Midnight Blood (2019)
7. Twilight Heart (2019)
8. Faerie Storm (2019)
9. Night Hunt (2020)
10. Grave Night (2021)
11. Final Magic (2022)
12. Purgatory Blood (2023)
13. Thirteen Bones (2025)

Path 2: The Murder Force Series (Crime Thrillers)

If you prefer gritty, realistic police procedurals, the Murder Force series is the ideal starting point. Set in Yorkshire, the series follows Detective Inspector Danica Summers and her elite task force as they track down serial killers and solve high-profile cases. While the individual investigations are self-contained in each novel, the interpersonal dynamics, personal struggles, and romantic storylines of the squad develop sequentially, making publication order the best way to experience them.

1. Eyes of the Wicked (2020)
2. Silence of the Bones (2020)
3. Remains of the Night (2021)
4. House of the Dead (2022)
5. Echo of the Past (2026)
6. The Widow Maker (2026)

Path 3: The Dark Peak Detectives Series (Crime Thrillers)

For readers who enjoy atmospheric British village crime, this series moves the action to the Peak District. It stars Detective Inspector Tom Brand, who relocates from London to his childhood village of Relby to care for his father, and DS Kate Ryan. They tackle dark, localized crimes in a close-knit community.

1. The Detective Game (2024)
2. Bury the Maiden (2025)
3. The Puzzle Club (2025)

Standalone Novels & Companion Connections

In addition to his series, Wright has written standalone thrillers that offer great starting points for new readers. However, one of these standalones has an important tie-in that series fans should note:

• Dark Peak (2017) – A psychological thriller following Mitch Walker as he investigates a decades-old kidnapping and a serial killer in the Peak District. This is a true standalone.
• The Flat / The Red Ribbon Girls (2019) – This standalone psychological thriller tells the story of Kate, who moves into a new apartment only to suspect she is being watched. Notably, the book features DI Danica Summers investigating the "Red Ribbon Killer." Because Danica Summers is the lead of the Murder Force series, this book serves as a companion spin-off. Reading it either before starting Murder Force or after Book 1 (Eyes of the Wicked) adds excellent context to Summers' character. Note that this book was originally published under the title The Flat and later re-released as The Red Ribbon Girls.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For all of Adam J. Wright's series, chronological order matches publication order. There are no prequels or timeline jumps that disrupt the narrative flow. Readers should simply follow the order of release within their chosen series. Standalones like Dark Peak can be read at any time, while The Flat / The Red Ribbon Girls is best read alongside the early Murder Force novels to enrich the experience of DI Summers' career.

What to Know Before You Start

Wright's stories are heavily grounded in atmospheric locations. The cold, sweeping Yorkshire Moors and the rugged landscapes of the Peak District function almost as characters themselves, building tension and isolation. While his crime procedurals are suspenseful and deal with dark themes, they generally avoid gratuitous gore, focusing instead on clever investigations, tight pacing, and character-driven mystery. For his urban fantasy series, the tone is a fast-paced blend of traditional hardboiled detective work and modern supernatural folklore.