The Recommended Reading Order
Since Aidan Conway’s bibliography currently focuses on a single, tightly connected narrative arc, the recommended reading path is simple and direct. You should read his novels in their original publication order. The chronological timeline of the books matches the order in which they were published, tracking the evolving personal life, partnerships, and psychological scars of Conway's protagonist.
- A Known Evil (2018)
- A Cold Flame (2018)
Where to Start Reading Aidan Conway
Without question, readers should start with A Known Evil. While some crime series allow you to jump in at any point, Conway's work relies heavily on continuity. In the first book, Detective Inspector Michael Rossi suffers a massive personal tragedy that leaves his girlfriend in a coma, a central trauma that shapes his motivations, reckless behavior, and relationships throughout the second book, A Cold Flame. Skipping the debut will leave you feeling out of the loop and missing critical context regarding Rossi’s complex dynamic with his partner, Carrara, and his disregard for police hierarchy.
What to Know Before You Start
Conway's thrillers are not cozy tourist mysteries; they are dark, visceral police procedurals that show the grit underneath Rome's historical glamour. Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind:
The Protagonist's Dual Identity
DI Michael Rossi is a bilingual detective inspector working for the Serious Crime Squad in Rome. Born to a Neapolitan father and possessing an Irish grandfather, he occupies a unique space as both an insider in Italian culture and an outsider who sees through the systemic corruption. This dual perspective mirrors Conway's own background as a British-born expatriate of Irish descent living in Italy.
Vivid and Contrasting Environments
Conway uses the Italian climate as an active character in his books. A Known Evil is set during a freezing, snowy Roman winter, trapping characters in icy, claustrophobic streets. In contrast, A Cold Flame takes place during a sweltering, dusty summer heatwave that ratchets up the tension and matches the explosive nature of the crimes. The sensory details of Rome’s weather are central to the atmosphere of each investigation.
Socio-Political Themes
The novels do not shy away from contemporary political realities. Conway explores the complexities of immigration, corruption within the Catholic Church, the influence of local authorities, and the rise of extremist organizations. The crimes are deeply intertwined with these real-world systemic issues, giving the series a weight similar to the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin.
Book-by-Book Breakdown
A Known Evil (2018)
In Conway's debut, Rome is gripped by a freakish, freezing winter and the terror of a serial killer known as "The Carpenter." The killer hammers his victims to death and leaves cryptic, biblical messages nailed directly to their chests. Detective Inspector Michael Rossi and his pragmatic partner, Luigi Carrara, lead the hunt. The stakes turn deeply personal when Rossi’s own girlfriend is targeted and left comatose. Rossi must push past his grief and navigate a web of institutional cover-ups to catch the killer before he becomes the next victim.
A Cold Flame (2018)
Set during a blistering hot summer, the second installment begins when five illegal immigrants are burned to death in a flat that was locked from the outside. While local officials try to write the incident off as an accident, Rossi and Carrara suspect arson. Their investigation leads them down a dark path involving the horrific murder of a Catholic priest, a shadowy group plotting terror at a local pride event, and systemic exploitation. Rossi's self-destructive tendencies, fueled by the lingering fallout of the previous case, threaten to derail the investigation and his career.
Reading Caveats and Continuity Details
Because the novels are highly detailed and feature multiple interconnected plotlines, readers should expect to pay close attention to minor characters and subplot threads. Supporting characters, such as Rossi's Ukrainian partner Yana and investigative journalist Dario Iannelli, play key roles in navigating the social underbelly of Rome. Both books were published in quick succession in 2018, and although they form a completed story arc, the ending of the second book leaves room for further exploration of Rossi's career, even though no subsequent titles have been released.