Chris McDonald Books in Order

Welcome to the World of Chris McDonald

If you are looking for an author who can seamlessly transition from the dark, rain-slicked streets of Manchester's criminal underbelly to the charmingly eccentric, gossip-fueled lanes of a coastal Northern Irish town, you have found him. Chris McDonald is a former primary school teacher who has taken the crime fiction world by storm, demonstrating a remarkable versatility that appeals to every kind of mystery reader.

Writing under his own name, he is celebrated for two vastly different series: the intense, psychologically rich DI Erika Piper police procedurals and the lighthearted, bite-sized Stonebridge Mysteries. Additionally, he writes dark, seasonal serial killer thrillers under the pen name Chris Frost and PI noir under his own name. This guide will help you navigate his diverse catalog, choose your perfect starting point, and lay out the ideal reading order for each of his series.

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

Because Chris McDonald writes across several subgenres of crime fiction, the best place for you to start depends entirely on your personal reading preferences:

• For Fans of Gritty Police Procedurals: Start with A Wash of Black (2020). This novel introduces DI Erika Piper, a Manchester detective recovering from professional and personal trauma. It is dark, fast-paced, and perfect for fans of Val McDermid or Ian Rankin.
• For Fans of Cozy Mysteries and Whodunits: Start with The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello (2021). This is the first of the Stonebridge Mysteries, a series of quick-read novellas set in Northern Ireland that feature quirky characters, local charm, and low-violence puzzles.
• For Fans of Gritty Private Investigator Noir: Start with The Wrong Man (2026), which kicks off his Manchester-based Ethan Adler PI series, or check out his standalone Denver noir, Little Ghost (2022).
• For Fans of Festive, Serial Killer Thrillers: Start with The Killer's Christmas List (2023), written under his pseudonym Chris Frost, featuring DI Tom Stonem.

DI Erika Piper Series in Order

Set in Manchester, this trilogy follows Detective Inspector Erika Piper as she battles both brutal killers and her own internal demons. The series is best read in publication order to fully appreciate Erika's character development and the ongoing narrative arc surrounding her police team.

1. A Wash of Black (2020): DI Erika Piper is called to a high-profile murder scene at a Manchester art gallery, where a rising star has been killed in a manner mimicking a famous movie scene.
2. Whispers in the Dark (2020): Erika is hot on the trail of a killer who target victims in their own homes, leaving behind chilling calling cards and exposing secrets that residents hoped would stay buried.
3. Roses for the Dead (2021): Erika faces a highly personal and emotionally exhausting case when a series of murders points toward a killer obsessed with past grievances and symbolic floral tributes.

The Stonebridge Mysteries in Order

Set on the rugged north coast of Northern Ireland, the Stonebridge Mysteries are cozy novellas centering on the small town of Stonebridge. They offer a lighter, humorous alternative to his Manchester novels. These books are brief, satisfying puzzles that can easily be read in a single sitting. While each mystery is self-contained, reading them in order helps you enjoy the recurring town cast and evolving relationships.

1. The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello (2021): The series begins when a prominent local citizen is found dead in suspicious circumstances, prompting the town's amateur sleuths to investigate.
2. Dead in the Water (2021): A body is discovered during a local boat race, turning a festive community event into a crime scene.
3. Meat is Murder (2021): A local butcher is found murdered, sparking a community-wide panic and a search for a killer with a grudge.
4. The Case of the Missing Firefly (2021): A valuable piece of jewelry goes missing, leading to a hunt that exposes old family secrets.
5. Mistletoe and Crime (2021): A festive-themed cozy mystery that brings holiday drama and murder to the snowy streets of Stonebridge.
6. All at Sea (2022): The characters head to the waters once again in this nautical-themed puzzle, wrapping up the initial run of novellas.

Reader Tip: If you prefer physical books or longer reads, you can find all six novellas compiled in a single omnibus edition titled The Stonebridge Mysteries 1-6, published in late 2022.

Ethan Adler Private Investigator Series in Order

In 2026, McDonald launched a brand new PI series set in Manchester, introducing a unique protagonist who blends financial freedom with personal tragedy.

1. The Wrong Man (2026): Introduces Ethan Adler, a former prison officer who wins the lottery and decides to fund his own private investigation agency. Haunted by the suspicious death of his wife Maggie, Ethan teams up with his tech-savvy assistant Amelia to investigate the death of a rock star that the police wrote off as an accidental overdose.

Irving Ash Series in Order

McDonald has also explored American-style noir, setting a gritty detective story in Colorado.

1. Little Ghost (2022): Features Irving Ash, a down-on-his-luck private investigator in Denver. Struggling for cash, Ash takes a security job at an adult film studio, only to be dragged into a dangerous web when the studio's top star disappears.

DI Tom Stonem Series in Order (As Chris Frost)

Writing under the pen name Chris Frost, McDonald delivers highly atmospheric, festive-themed police procedurals set in the Tyne & Wear area of North East England. These books feature DI Tom Stonem and are known for their dark, seasonal premises.

1. The Killer's Christmas List (2023): DI Tom Stonem investigates a serial killer posing victims with items from a classic child's Christmas wish list.
2. The Christmas Tree Killer (2025): Stonem returns to hunt a killer who is wrapping severed limbs as Christmas gifts.
3. The Christmas Carol Killer (Upcoming, late 2026): The highly anticipated third installment in this festive thriller series.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive into Chris McDonald's books, it is helpful to understand how his settings influence his storytelling. As a Northern Irish author living in Marple, near Manchester, McDonald draws heavily on his real-world surroundings. The DI Erika Piper and Ethan Adler series use Manchester's moody urban sprawl to build tension and atmosphere. In contrast, the Stonebridge Mysteries are a love letter to the coastal communities of Northern Ireland, filled with regional humor and warmth. Reading both series shows the incredible range of McDonald's writerly voice, making him a unique force in modern British and Irish crime writing.