Allan Martin Books in Order

Where to Start with Allan Martin

Allan Martin has crafted two distinct entry points for crime fiction readers. If you prefer contemporary, atmospheric Tartan Noir featuring police investigations blended with forensic archaeology, you should begin with the Inspector Angus Blue series, starting with the debut novel, The Peat Dead. If you prefer rich, historical police procedurals set in interwar Europe, you should start with the DCI Jüri Hallmets thrillers, beginning with Death in Tallinn.

While both series operate in separate timelines and geographic locations, they share Martin’s signature style: detailed setting descriptions, tight pacing, and social commentary. Most readers choose one series to read through before starting the other, though a surprising connection in the fourth Angus Blue book ties the two worlds together geographically.

Inspector Angus Blue Series: Recommended Reading Order

Set on the rugged west coast of Scotland, this series follows Detective Inspector Angus Blue of the Oban police force and forensic archaeologist Dr. Alison Hendrickx. The books are best read in order of publication to follow the evolving relationship between the main characters and the recurring law enforcement staff.

1. The Peat Dead (2019) – Set on the Isle of Islay. The discovery of five executed bodies in a peat bog unearths a wartime conspiracy dating back seven decades. This debut novel was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Debut Prize at Bloody Scotland in 2019.
2. A Fatal Contagion (2020) – A companion novella originally published in iScot Magazine. Set during the COVID-19 lockdown in Oban, DI Angus Blue investigates a deceased woman in a camper van, leading him on a trail to the Isle of Mull.
3. The Dead of Jura (2020) – Set on the Isle of Jura. Angus Blue is called to investigate the high-profile sniper assassination of a junior Defence minister.
4. The Dead of Appin (2021) – Set in the Highlands community of Appin. A charred corpse found in a burnt-out car launches an investigation into corruption and local secrets.
5. The Dead of Oban (2024) – Set in Oban and Estonia. The investigation of a missing bookshop owner reveals a rare book theft ring and leads to a body found in the Kaali meteorite crater on the Estonian island of Saaremaa.
6. The Dead of Mull (2025) – Set on the ferry to Oban and the Isle of Mull. DI Angus Blue investigates a mysterious death on a ferry, which forensic archaeologist Alison Hendrickx links to an eccentric, off-grid archaeologist.

DCI Jüri Hallmets Thrillers: Recommended Reading Order

For readers who enjoy historical crime fiction, this series transports you to 1930s Estonia. The books follow Chief Inspector Jüri Hallmets as he navigates the complex, politically charged landscape of interwar Tallinn.

1. Death in Tallinn (2020) – Set in 1930s Tallinn, the story introduces Hallmets as he investigates a murder amid rising political tension and foreign espionage.
2. Winter Blood (2022) – Hallmets investigates the suspicious death of a retired general, exposing deep-seated corruption and historical secrets during the Estonian winter.

Short Stories and Translations

For completionists, Allan Martin has also written shorter crime fiction and translated classic Estonian mysteries, reflecting his deep personal interest in Estonian literature and language:

• Tales Murderous and Mysterious (2022) – A collection of short mystery stories showcasing Martin's ability to craft short-form suspense, featuring both modern and historical settings.
• Estonian Translations – Martin learned Estonian and has translated classic closed-room mysteries by the Estonian author Elmar Valmre, including The Oracle (originally published as Ennustus Relval in 1937) and The Night of the 18th October (originally published in 1938). These translations provide a fascinating look at the historical roots of Estonian detective fiction that influenced Martin's own Jüri Hallmets books.

What to Know Before You Start

Allan Martin's crime fiction stands out due to its strong sense of place and historical grounding. The Inspector Angus Blue novels are firmly rooted in Tartan Noir, drawing comparison to authors like Ann Cleeves and Peter May. The inclusion of forensic archaeology via Dr. Alison Hendrickx provides a unique scientific angle to the investigations, often bridging the gap between modern crimes and historical secrets.

The Jüri Hallmets series is notable for its historical accuracy. Martin's frequent travels to Estonia allowed him to meticulously research interwar Tallinn, capturing the fragile political climate of a nation caught between European powers. While the Angus Blue series is contemporary and the Hallmets series is historical, The Dead of Oban bridges the two settings when an investigation in Oban takes DI Angus Blue directly to Saaremaa, Estonia, offering a delightful crossover for fans of both series.