Where to Start Reading Andrew James Greig
For readers new to Andrew James Greig's rich tartan noir and folklore-infused crime thrillers, there are two primary paths depending on the style of mystery you prefer. Both series are set in the rugged, atmospheric landscapes of the Scottish Highlands but feature distinct protagonists and investigation styles.
Path 1: The DI James Corstorphine Series (Recommended). If you love police procedurals with grieving, deeply human detectives and intricate, puzzle-like murders, start with The Bone Clock (originally published under the title Whirligig). This is the author's breakthrough crime novel and introduces his signature atmospheric tension.
Path 2: The PI Teàrlach Paterson Series. If you prefer private investigator mysteries focusing on missing persons, dark family secrets, and isolated island settings, start with The Girl in the Loch.
Detective Corstorphine Series in Order
This series follows Detective Inspector James Corstorphine as he navigates grief and investigates sinister, complex crimes in small Highland communities. Note: The first book was retitled when the author signed with Storm Publishing.
- The Bone Clock (2020) - Originally published as Whirligig. It follows DI Corstorphine tackling a series of elaborate, clockwork-themed murders.
- The Devil's Cut (2021) - Corstorphine investigates a suspicious death at a local distillery, uncovering a web of corporate greed and local secrets.
- Murder of Crows (2025) - When Corstorphine's wife is abducted, he faces a macabre mystery involving human remains staged in Highland fields.
- The Grave Song (2026) - A routine funeral turns into a murder investigation when a second body is discovered hidden in an open grave.
- The Drowning Glen (Expected November 2026) - The upcoming fifth installment in the Detective Corstorphine investigations.
PI Teàrlach Paterson Series in Order
This series features Private Investigator Teàrlach Paterson, who specializes in tracing missing people while uncovering long-buried secrets across Scotland's remote islands and lochs.
- The Girl in the Loch (2024) - Paterson is hired to investigate the baffling disappearance of a young girl near a Highland loch.
- Silent Ritual (2024) - A follow-up investigation diving into cult-like behaviors and dark traditions in isolated regions.
- The Graveyard Bell (2025) - Paterson returns to his childhood home on the Isle of Mull to investigate a series of mysterious deaths during a violent storm.
Standalone Novels and Non-Fiction
Before establishing his signature crime series, Greig debuted with a unique genre-blending standalone, and he has also published traditional dance guides under a shorter name variant.
- One is One (2018) - Greig's debut standalone novel. It is a 'fairy tartan noir' mystery linking African heritage on the remote Orkney islands, a missing London dancer, and the mythological figure Thomas the Rhymer.
- 100 Favourite Ceilidh Dances (2017) - A non-fiction instructional guide to traditional Scottish dances, published under the name Andy Greig.
What to Know Before You Start
Andrew James Greig's books stand out for their strong sense of place and integration of Celtic folklore. While the detective cases in each book are self-contained and can theoretically be read as standalones, reading them in order is highly recommended. The character development—especially DI Corstorphine's journey through deep personal grief and recovery—evolves significantly from book to book.
Readers should also be careful not to accidentally purchase both Whirligig and The Bone Clock, as they are the exact same book republished under a new title by Storm Publishing.