Anita Waller Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the best experience reading Anita Waller’s books, we recommend starting with her signature cozy thriller universe, beginning with the Kat and Mouse Mysteries. Because her books are often interconnected through shared characters or spin-off series, reading them in a specific sequence prevents spoilers and makes character relationships much clearer.

Here is the ideal path to follow:

1. The Kat and Mouse Mysteries (Books 1–5): This is the foundation of Waller’s shared universe, set in the Derbyshire village of Eyam.
2. Epitaph: A standalone mystery that features Doris Lester from the Kat and Mouse series. It can be read at any time, but fits beautifully right after the main series.
3. The Connection Trilogy (Books 1–3): A direct spin-off series that picks up shortly after the events of the final Kat and Mouse book, Murder Unjoyful.
4. The Forrester Detective Agency Mysteries: Move on to her newer agency-based detective series set in Sheffield.
5. The Beautiful Duology: Discover her earliest written work and its sequel.
6. Standalone Novels: Dive into any of her psychological thrillers, which can be read in any order.

The Kat and Mouse Universe

The Kat and Mouse Mysteries are the heart of Anita Waller's writing. They follow Katerina 'Kat' Rowe, a church deacon, and Beth, a young student, as they form an unlikely crime-solving partnership. Assisted by Beth's grandmother, the feisty Doris Lester, they tackle complex murders in Eyam and Sheffield.

Kat and Mouse Mysteries in Order

1. Murder Undeniable (2018): Kat Rowe’s quiet life is upended when she discovers a body in her church. She teams up with Beth to uncover a web of dark secrets.
2. Murder Unexpected (2019): The duo returns to investigate a suspicious death that leads them into the murky waters of local family feuds.
3. Murder Unearthed (2019): A cold case comes to light when human remains are discovered, forcing Kat and Beth to dig into decades-old village secrets.
4. Murder Untimely (2019): Time is of the essence when a shocking crime strikes close to home, testing the sleuths' dedication and safety.
5. Murder Unjoyful (2020): The fifth installment features a festive backdrop turned deadly, serving as the dramatic conclusion to the main series line.

The Doris Lester Connection

• Epitaph (2020): Although marketed as a standalone novel, this book features Doris Lester, the beloved grandmother character from the Kat and Mouse series. It can be read independently, but fans of the series will appreciate the familiar face.

The Connection Trilogy

Directly following the conclusion of the Kat and Mouse series, Waller launched The Connection Trilogy. This spin-off centers on the Connection Investigation Agency, which tackles cold cases and features recurring characters from the previous series. Read these books in publication order:

1. Blood Red (2021): The newly formed agency takes on its first case, investigating a tragic crime from the past.
2. Code Blue (2021): Former DI Tessa leads the team as they unravel a heart-wrenching mystery linked to a couple's devastating loss.
3. Mortal Green (2022): The trilogy wraps up with a high-stakes case that tests the limits of the agency's investigative skills.

Forrester Detective Agency Mysteries

Moving away from the Kat and Mouse characters, the Forrester Detective Agency series is a gritty family-led mystery series set in Sheffield. It follows DI Matt Forrester and his sister Hermia as they seek justice after their father’s murder, and then continue running the family agency.

1. Fatal Secrets (2023): Matt and Hermia Forrester must piece together their father's hidden life to solve his sudden murder.
2. Fatal Lies (2023): The sibling duo tackles another intricate case involving deception and dark secrets in Sheffield.
3. Fatal Endings (2024): The third entry in the series finds the agency facing its most personal and dangerous investigation yet.

The Beautiful Duology

Waller's debut novel, Beautiful, was originally written in 1985 but went unpublished for thirty years after her publisher collapsed. She finally published it in 2015, launching her late-career success. Due to popular demand, she wrote a direct sequel the following year.

1. Beautiful (2015): A gripping domestic thriller following a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship.
2. Angel (2016): The direct sequel that continues the aftermath of the dramatic events in the first book.

Standalone Novels

Anita Waller has written numerous standalone psychological thrillers. These do not share continuity and can be read in any order. They are known for their fast pacing, twisty plots, and Sheffield settings:

• 34 Days (2016): A tense thriller about a woman counting down the days of her troubled marriage.
• Winterscroft (2017): A haunting mystery centered around an old estate and its dark history.
• Strategy (2017): A fast-paced crime thriller involving chess-like mind games.
• Captor (2018): A chilling story of abduction and psychological survival.
• Game Players (2018): A thriller exploring a deadly game of cat and mouse.
• Malignant (2018): A dark tale about obsession and toxic relationships.
• Liars (2020): A story of secrets, betrayal, and the consequences of untruths.
• Gamble (2020): A suspenseful novel involving high stakes and dangerous choices.
• Nine Lives (2021): A twisty thriller that follows a group of people facing a deadly threat.
• One Hot Summer (2022): A domestic thriller set during a sweltering season where secrets boil over.
• The Family at No. 12 (2022): A Kindle bestseller focusing on the suspicious lives of neighbors.
• The Couple Across The Street (2023): A neighborhood thriller exploring paranoia and hidden identities.
• The Girls Next Door (2024): A dark psychological mystery about domestic secrets hiding in plain sight.

Reader Advice and Starting Points

If you are new to Anita Waller, the absolute best starting point is Murder Undeniable. It introduces her signature blend of cozy village atmosphere and gritty crime, and sets up characters you will follow through eight books (including the spin-off trilogy). If you prefer a pure psychological thriller without series commitments, start with The Family at No. 12, which showcases her ability to turn domestic settings into hotbeds of suspense.