Craig Russell Books in Order

Where to Start with Craig Russell

Craig Russell has carved out a unique space in crime fiction by dividing his talents between two distinct, highly atmospheric series and a collection of award-winning standalone historical thrillers. Because his books vary widely in tone, setting, and era, your ideal starting point depends on what kind of mystery you enjoy:

• For fans of modern police procedurals with a dark, folklore-infused twist: Start with Blood Eagle, the first book in the Hamburg-based Jan Fabel series. This is the perfect entry point if you like detectives who grapple with complex, mythologically driven cases.
• For fans of classic, hard-boiled historical noir: Start with Lennox, the opening novel of his post-war Glasgow series. If you enjoy dry wit, morally grey characters, and atmospheric period settings, this is your best choice.
• For fans of gothic psychological thrillers: Begin with the standalone novel The Devil Aspect or the McIlvanney Prize-winning Hyde. These are self-contained stories that require no prior reading.

The Jan Fabel Series (Hamburg Murder Squad)

The Jan Fabel series follows a half-Scottish, half-German principal detective in Hamburg's murder squad. Fabel is an introspective, deeply professional investigator who frequently finds himself dealing with crimes connected to ancient history, Viking rituals, Germanic myths, and the dark fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. As the series progresses, Fabel deals with personal trauma and the heavy psychological toll of his work, making publication order crucial for understanding his character development.

Fabel's unique cultural perspective is mirrored by the author's own deep connection to Germany. Russell's realistic portrayal of Hamburg is so highly regarded that he was awarded the Hamburg Police's prestigious Police Star (Polizeistern) in 2007—making him the only non-German to ever receive it.

Jan Fabel Books in Publication Order

1. Blood Eagle (2005) – Fabel hunts a serial killer recreating ancient Viking rituals.
2. Brother Grimm (2006) – The team investigates a murderer obsessed with the dark folk tales of the Brothers Grimm.
3. Eternal (2007) – A case that connects modern murders to historical occult groups and genetic memory.
4. The Carnival Master (2008) – Set against the chaotic backdrop of Cologne's carnival, Fabel hunts a killer who believes he is a mythical beast.
5. The Valkyrie Song (2009) – A dark investigation involving a female serial killer and radical political elements.
6. A Fear of Dark Water (2011) – The discovery of a headless torso pulls Fabel into the world of internet cults and environmental disaster.
7. The Ghosts of Altona (2015) – The McIlvanney Prize-winning finale (to date) that forces Fabel to confront ghosts from his own past.

The Lennox Series (1950s Glasgow Noir)

In stark contrast to the modern police investigations of Hamburg, the Lennox series transports readers to the gritty, rain-slicked streets of post-WWII Glasgow. The protagonist, Lennox, is a Canadian-Scottish private investigator who operates in a grey zone between the law and Glasgow's ruthless crime bosses, known collectively as the Three Kings. Armed with sharp wit, a cynical outlook, and a personal code of honor, Lennox navigates a world of corrupt cops, boxing rackets, and post-war trauma.

While the mysteries in each book are self-contained, Lennox's relationships with recurring characters and his uneasy alliances with Glasgow's criminal underworld evolve significantly. For the best experience, you should follow the publication order.

Lennox Books in Publication Order

1. Lennox (2009) – Introducing the private eye as he gets caught between three rival gang leaders.
2. The Long Glasgow Kiss (2010) – Lennox is drawn into a deadly conspiracy involving the Glasgow boxing underworld.
3. The Deep Dark Sleep (2011) – The discovery of a long-sunken corpse unearths wartime secrets and personal grudges.
4. Dead Men and Broken Hearts (2012) – Lennox searches for a missing woman while navigating the fallout of WWII intelligence operations.
5. The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid (2016) – Lennox investigates the suspicious death of a low-level thief, leading to a much larger conspiracy.

Standalone Gothic and Historical Thrillers

In recent years, Craig Russell has focused on standalone historical thrillers that lean heavily into gothic atmosphere, folklore, and psychological terror. These books showcase his versatility and are highly recommended if you want a complete, self-contained story.

• Biblical / The Third Testament (2014) – Originally published under the pseudonym Christopher Galt, this speculative sci-fi thriller investigates a global outbreak of past-life visions and hallucinations.
• The Devil Aspect (2019) – A chilling gothic mystery set in 1935 Czechoslovakia, focusing on a psychiatrist working at an asylum housing the country's six most notorious murderers, just as a Jack the Ripper copycat begins terrorizing Prague.
• Hyde (2021) – A brilliant reimagining of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story set in Victorian Edinburgh. It features Captain Edward Hyde, a detective suffering from a rare neurological condition that causes severe hallucinations, who must solve a series of ritualistic occult murders. This novel won Russell his second McIlvanney Prize.
• The Devil's Playground (2023) – Set in 1920s Hollywood during the silent film era, this noir-soaked gothic mystery follows a fix-it man investigating a death on the set of a legendary, supposedly cursed movie.

What to Know Before You Start

Craig Russell’s crime series do not have complex chronological timelines that differ from their publication dates. Reading them in the order they were published is universally recommended by fans. However, readers should be aware that the Jan Fabel books are police procedurals that focus heavily on the forensics and teamwork of the Hamburg police department, whereas the Lennox novels are classic, hard-boiled first-person detective stories that feel much closer to American noir but with a distinctly dry Scottish sense of humor.

If you are looking for his speculative work, keep an eye out for Biblical under the pen name Christopher Galt, as it has also been released under the alternative title The Third Testament depending on the publisher and region.