Alan Hunter Books in Order

Where to Start with Inspector George Gently

If you want to dive into the cases of Chief Superintendent George Gently, the best place to start is right at the beginning with Gently Does It (1955). Unlike many modern detective series that feature complex, multi-book story arcs spanning decades, Alan Hunter’s novels are largely episodic, meaning each mystery is completely self-contained. You can pick up almost any book and enjoy a complete case from start to finish without feeling lost.

However, reading the series in publication order offers a rewarding experience. It allows you to watch George Gently progress through his career and see the setting of post-war Britain slowly change from the mid-1950s all the way to the turn of the millennium in the final novel, Gently Mistaken (1999).

What to Know Before You Start

Alan Hunter was a poet, naturalist, and antiquarian bookseller from Norfolk, and his deep connection to East Anglia heavily shines through in his writing. His style is often compared to Georges Simenon's Maigret, focusing on methodical deduction, psychological insight, and a patient, slow-burn investigation style rather than high-octane action.

One of the most charming quirks of the series is its use of puns in the titles. Almost every single book in the 46-novel run features the word "Gently" worked into a play on words, such as Gently Down the Stream, Landed Gently, or Gently Floating.

The Books vs. The Hit BBC TV Adaptation

Many readers discover Alan Hunter's books after watching the popular BBC television adaptation, Inspector George Gently (starring Martin Shaw). If you are transitioning from screen to page, there are two massive differences you need to be prepared for:

• The Setting: While the TV series is famously set in the North East of England (around Newcastle, Northumberland, and Durham), Alan Hunter’s original novels are set firmly in East Anglia (primarily Norfolk and Suffolk), utilizing the flat, atmospheric landscapes of the Norfolk Broads.
• Detective Sergeant John Bacchus: The fan-favorite sidekick DS John Bacchus (played by Lee Ingleby) was created entirely for the television show. He does not exist in the books. In the novels, Gently operates much more as a lone-wolf investigator or works alongside local officers who change from case to case.

Sorting Out the Posthumous Title Confusion

If you look at modern bookstore listings, you might see 50 or 51 titles attributed to the George Gently series, including books published in 2014 and 2016 (nearly a decade after Alan Hunter's death in 2005). These are not newly discovered manuscripts or new stories. Instead, publishers re-released four of Hunter's older books under new, pun-heavy titles to match the rest of the series.

To avoid buying duplicate copies, keep this cheat sheet handy:

• Gently Sinking (released in 2014) is a retitled edition of Gently Coloured (1969).
• Gently Under Fire (released in 2014) is a retitled edition of The Honfleur Decision (1980).
• Gently in the Past (released in 2016) is a retitled edition of Fields of Heather (also published as Death on the Heath) (1981).
• Gently with Passion (released in 2016) is a retitled edition of Amorous Leander (also published as Death on the Broadlands) (1983).

The Complete Publication Order

Here is the complete list of all 46 original Inspector George Gently novels in their proper chronological publication order, complete with their alternative names and modern retitlings:

1. Gently Does It (1955)
2. Gently By the Shore (1956)
3. Gently Down the Stream (1957)
4. Landed Gently (1957)
5. Gently Through the Mill (1958)
6. Gently in the Sun (1959)
7. Gently With The Painters (1960)
8. Gently to the Summit (1961)
9. Gently Go Man (1961)
10. Gently Where The Roads Go (1962)
11. Gently Floating (1963)
12. Gently Sahib (1964)
13. Gently with the Ladies (1965)
14. Gently North-West (1967)
15. Gently Continental (1967)
16. Gently Coloured (1969) - Note: Also published as "Gently Sinking" in 2014.
17. Gently with the Innocents (1970)
18. Gently at a Gallop (1971)
19. Gently Where She Lay (1972)
20. Gently French (1973)
21. Gently in Trees / Gently Through the Woods (1974)
22. Gently with Love (1975)
23. Gently Where the Birds are (1976)
24. Gently Instrumental (1977)
25. Gently to a Sleep (1978)
26. The Honfleur Decision (1980) - Note: Also published as "Gently Under Fire" in 2014.
27. Gabrielle's Way (1981)
28. Fields of Heather / Death on the Heath (1981) - Note: Also published as "Gently in the Past" in 2016.
29. Gently Heartbroken / The Scottish Decision (1981)
30. Gently Between Tides (1982)
31. Amorous Leander / Death on the Broadlands (1983) - Note: Also published as "Gently with Passion" in 2016.
32. Unhung Man (1984)
33. Once a prostitute... (1984)
34. The Chelsea Ghost (1985)
35. Goodnight, Sweet Prince (1986)
36. Strangling Man (1987)
37. Traitor's End (1988)
38. Gently With The Millions (1989)
39. Gently Scandalous (1990)
40. Gently To A Kill (1991)
41. Gently Tragic (1992)
42. Gently in the Glens (1993)
43. Bomber's Moon (1994)
44. Jackpot! (1995)
45. The Love of Gods (1997)
46. Over Here (1998)
47. Gently Mistaken (1999)