Andrew Cartmel Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

For most readers, the absolute best place to start with Andrew Cartmel is Written in Dead Wax, the first book in his celebrated Vinyl Detective series. This novel establishes Cartmel's signature style: a blend of cozy crime, obsessive hobbyist culture, dry British wit, and colorful characters. It acts as the perfect introduction to the writer's narrative voice before you branch out into his other work.

If you prefer literary collecting over vinyl records, your alternative starting point is Death in Fine Condition, which kicks off The Paperback Sleuth series. While both series share a passion for rare collectibles and eccentric personalities, they can be read entirely independently of one another.

The Vinyl Detective Series in Publication Order

The Vinyl Detective books follow an unnamed protagonist—a freelance crate-digger who hunts down rare vinyl records for wealthy clients, only to repeatedly find himself entangled in murder, conspiracies, and dangerous heists. He is accompanied by his girlfriend Nevada, his eccentric best friend Tinkler, and a pair of demanding cats. While each novel features a self-contained mystery focusing on a different musical genre, the character relationships, running jokes, and personal arcs develop sequentially. Therefore, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order:

1. Written in Dead Wax (2016) – The search for a legendary, ultra-rare jazz record from a short-lived label turns deadly.
2. The Run-Out Groove (2017) – The team dives into the world of 1960s psychedelic rock, a tragic singer's suicide, and a long-hidden child.
3. Victory Disc (2018) – A mystery surrounding wartime big band shellac records brings the team face-to-face with modern neo-Nazi elements.
4. Flip Back (2019) – The detective is hired to locate a legendary lost progressive rock album recorded in a remote cottage.
5. Low Action (2020) – A dive into the aggressive, chaotic world of punk rock, involving a deceased guitarist's estate.
6. Attack and Decay (2022) – A high-stakes adventure in the snowy Alps dealing with the rare and delicate world of classical music LPs.
7. Noise Floor (2024) – The search moves into electronic music and synthesizers, proving that digital-adjacent genres carry just as much danger.
8. Underscore (2025) – The eighth installment, diving into the lucrative and dramatic world of film soundtracks.

The Paperback Sleuth Series in Publication Order

In 2023, Cartmel launched a companion mystery series featuring Cordelia Stanmer, a recovering addict who turns her obsession toward collecting and dealing vintage paperbacks. Similar to the Vinyl Detective, Cordelia uses her highly specialized knowledge of cover art, printing errors, and publishing history to solve crimes. This series should also be read in order:

1. Death in Fine Condition (2023) – Cordelia investigates the suspicious death of a wealthy collector and the theft of a priceless collection of classic crime paperbacks.
2. Ashram Assassin (2024) – Cordelia is drawn into a mystery surrounding a bizarre cult, utilizing her sleuthing skills to unravel a dark conspiracy.
3. Like a Bullet (2025) – The third entry, which sees Cordelia digging deeper into the dangerous underworld of book collectors.

Andrew Cartmel's Doctor Who and Sci-Fi Universe Contributions

Before achieving mainstream success as a novelist, Andrew Cartmel was a legendary figure in science fiction, serving as the script editor for Doctor Who from 1987 to 1989. During his tenure, he introduced the "Cartmel Masterplan," an attempt to restore mystery to the Doctor's character. After the show went off the air, Cartmel contributed significantly to the expanded universe of novels.

The War Trilogy (Virgin New Adventures)

While database listings of the Virgin New Adventures series include dozens of books written by various authors, Cartmel himself penned a specific, interconnected trilogy of novels focusing on the Seventh Doctor. These should be read in this sequence:

• Cat's Cradle: Warhead (1992) – The Doctor battles a ruthless corporation in a cyberpunk-influenced future.
• Warlock (1995) – An investigation into an experimental animal-testing facility and a dangerous new drug.
• Warchild (1996) – The final part of the trilogy, centering on genetically engineered children with psychic powers.

Non-Fiction and Behind-the-Scenes

If you are interested in the behind-the-scenes history of Doctor Who, Cartmel has written two key non-fiction guides:

• Script Doctor: The Inside Story of Doctor Who 1986-89 (2005) – A memoir detailing his time working on the show.
• Through Time: An Unauthorised and Unofficial History of Doctor Who (2005) – A critical look at the franchise's evolution.

Co-Authored Graphic Novels: Rivers of London

Cartmel is a long-term writing partner of Ben Aaronovitch, the creator of the urban fantasy series Rivers of London. Together, they have co-written almost all of the canonical Rivers of London graphic novels. These comics expand the world of Peter Grant and are best read alongside the main novels, although they follow their own publication sequence:

1. Rivers of London: Volume 1 - Body Work (2013)
2. Rivers of London: Volume 2 - Night Witch (2014)
3. Rivers of London Volume 3: Black Mould (2017)
4. Rivers of London Volume 4: Detective Stories (2017)
5. Rivers of London Volume 5: Cry Fox (2018)
6. Rivers of London Vol. 6: Water Weed (2018)
7. Rivers of London Vol. 7: Action at a Distance (2019)
8. Rivers of London Vol. 8: The Fey and the Furious (2019)
9. Rivers of London Vol. 9: Monday, Monday (2021)
10. Rivers of London Vol. 10: Deadly Ever After (2022)

Standalone Novels and Tie-Ins

Beyond his major series, Cartmel has written standalone novels and tie-in fiction for other established properties:

• The Wise (1999) – Cartmel's first original, non-franchise novel is a supernatural nightmare thriller about a psychiatrist who discovers her patient actually has real, terrifying powers.
• Judge Dredd: Swine Fever (2005) – A standalone novel set in the Judge Dredd universe. (Note: The larger Judge Dredd lists in online databases comprise works by many different authors).
• Strontium Dog: Day of the Dogs (2005) – A standalone novel set in the Strontium Dog sci-fi universe.
• Torchwood: Consequences (2009) – Cartmel contributed a short story to this official TV series anthology.

What to Know Before You Start

When starting Andrew Cartmel's books, keep in mind that his crime fiction sits comfortably in the "cozy mystery" genre but features a modern, slightly edgier British charm. The mysteries are clever, but the real joy comes from the banter, the detailed descriptions of vintage gear, and the cozy domestic lives of the characters. If you are not a vinyl collector or a bibliophile, don't worry — Cartmel writes with an infectious passion that makes these niche worlds accessible and endlessly entertaining to laypeople.