Where to Start Reading Boris Starling
If you are new to Boris Starling’s dark, high-stakes universe, there are two primary pathways to choose from depending on your geographical and thematic preferences:
- For British Serial Killer Procedurals: Start with his debut novel, Messiah (1999). This introduces Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe and sets the tone for Starling's gritty, detailed style. It was also adapted into a major five-season BBC television drama. Following it up with Storm (2000) completes the loose UK crime dilogy.
- For Hardboiled US Noir: Start with Thou Shalt Kill (published as Soul Murder in the UK in 2010), which Starling wrote under the pseudonym Daniel Blake. This introduces the rugged Pittsburgh homicide detective Franco Patrese as he navigates brutal crimes and systemic corruption.
The Red Metcalfe & Kate Beauchamp Series (UK Crime)
While Starling's early fiction is often classified as standalone, his first two books share a deep connection through their characters and universe. These are the books that defined his reputation for combining visceral crime scenes with psychological depth.
1. Messiah (1999)
Introducing Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe, a brilliant Scotland Yard investigator hunting the 'Silver Tongue' killer. The murderer leaves silver spoons in the mouths of victims, leading Metcalfe into a dark labyrinth of biblical symbolism and personal vulnerability. It remains Starling's most famous work and established the blueprint for gritty British serial killer thrillers of the early 2000s.
2. Storm (2000)
Set against the backdrop of a tragic North Sea ferry disaster in Aberdeen, this book stars Detective Chief Inspector Kate Beauchamp. Beauchamp is investigating a series of gruesome killings by a murderer dubbed "Blackadder." Though she has her own scars from surviving the ferry disaster, she must find the connection between the tragedies. While Red Metcalfe is not the protagonist here, the narrative links back to the events and aftermath of the investigation in Messiah.
The Franco Patrese FBI Thrillers (Writing as Daniel Blake)
Under the pen name Daniel Blake, Starling shifted his storytelling lens to the United States. These books follow Franco Patrese, a hardened Pittsburgh homicide investigator who later steps onto the federal stage. This trilogy is best read in publication order to track Patrese's personal evolution and the growing complexity of his cases.
- Thou Shalt Kill (2010) – Published in the UK under the title Soul Murder. Franco Patrese investigates a series of murders inspired by historical execution methods, which quickly spirals into a conspiracy reaching high-level political circles.
- City of the Dead (2011) – Published in the UK under the title City of Sins. Patrese is caught in a deadly hunt across Pittsburgh's underworld, dealing with dark secrets and cold cases that return to haunt the living.
- White Death (2012) – The final entry in the Patrese trilogy, taking the detective into freezing, isolated environments where the danger is as much about survival against the elements as it is about catching a ruthless killer.
Standalone Fiction Novels
If you prefer self-contained thrillers that do not require tracking character arcs across multiple books, Starling has penned several standalones that range from historical espionage to contemporary political tension.
Vodka (2004)
Set in Moscow during the turbulent collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991. The protagonist, American banker Alice Liddell, is sent to oversee the privatization of the famous "Red October" distillery. She gets dragged into the violent, lawless world of Moscow's criminal underworld, gang warfare, and a series of child murders. It is a dense, atmospheric look at a society in freefall.
Visibility (2006)
Set in London during the historic Great Smog of 1952. The story stars Herbert Smith, an ex-spy turned Scotland Yard detective, who discovers a floating corpse in the Serpentine. The victim is a biochemist carrying a world-altering secret, launching Smith into a web of CIA, KGB, and post-war conspiracies while blindfolded by the toxic fog blanketing the city.
The Stay-Behind Cave (2014)
A historical World War II thriller set in December 1940. Six teenagers discover a top-secret British hideout inside the Rock of Gibraltar just as the German army prepares to invade. Trapped inside to survive, they learn that the real danger might not be the enemy outside, but the darkness creeping in among themselves.
The Law of the Heart (2021)
A striking change of pace, this contemporary thriller is set in modern North Korea. The plot follows Theo, an international rollercoaster designer hired to build an attraction in Pyongyang, and his local minder, Min. They fall into a dangerous, forbidden romance under the watchful eyes of a repressive state, surrounded by family secrets spanning generations.
Short Story Collections
Cold War, Warm Hearts (2014)
A collection of two historical fiction short stories set against the backdrop of the mid-20th century. "The Star City Shuffle" focuses on the psychological troubles of Soviet space pioneer Yuri Gagarin, while "Two Days in Prague" follows the real-life Australian runner Ron Clarke on a life-changing journey behind the Iron Curtain.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Boris Starling's bibliography, keep these structural and publishing details in mind:
- Pseudonym Differences: Make sure you do not accidentally double-purchase his books. Thou Shalt Kill and Soul Murder are the exact same book, as are City of the Dead and City of Sins. The former titles are the US editions, while the latter are the original UK editions.
- Gritty Tone Warning: Starling's crime thrillers, especially Messiah, contain graphic violence, forensic detail, and intense themes. They are suited for fans of dark, psychological thrillers like Thomas Harris or Val McDermid.
- Non-Fiction Diversions: Alongside his thrillers, Starling has written non-fiction like Unconquerable: The Invictus Spirit (2017) and humor books including titles in the Haynes Explains parody series. These are completely separate from his fictional thrillers.